Australian Cattle Dog

Summary of Characteristics:

Temperament:

The Australian Cattle Dog is intelligent, alert, courageous and a hard worker. Bred to herd cattle, he does best when he has a job to do and he needs plenty of exercise to avoid boredom. He would enjoy obedience or agility training and competition. He is is very smart but likes to get gis own way. He may be aggressive with other dogs. He is very loyal and protective toward his family, therefore he may be suspicious of strangers. If treated harshly, he may bite. Ongoing obedience training and socialization is a must.

Physical Features and Grooming:

Australian Cattle Dogs have strong, compact bodies and are medium in size. They stand 17-20 inches and weigh 35-50 pounds. His coat is short and straight with a dense undercoat. He is usually blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled. He may have black, blue or tan markings on the head. His ears stand up and his eyes are dark ad alert.

Health Issues

Australian Cattle Dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, deafness and PRA..

Read more about Australian Cattle Dogs:

Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds: Profiles of More than 150 Breeds This is an excellent, highly rated book that discusses each breed's physical and personality traits, suitability as a pet, information on each breed's vulnerability to specific health problems, longevity, exercise needs, compatibility with children, and more.

New Encyclopedia of the Dog Another great book that describes 450 different dog breeds including rare breeds and experimental breeds like the Labradoodle. Lots of photos.