Austrian Cattle Dogs: Fox-Faced Or Not?

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of herding dog that was developed in Australia during the 19th century to drive cattle over long distances across rough terrain. It is a medium-sized, sturdy, muscular, and compact dog with a short coat that can be either red or black, distributed fairly evenly through a white coat. This gives the appearance of a red or blue dog, resulting in the nicknames Red Heeler and Blue Heeler. The Australian Cattle Dog has a broad skull that flattens to a definite stop between the eyes, with muscular cheeks and a medium-length, deep, powerful muzzle. The ears are pricked, small to medium in size, and set wide apart, with hair covering the inside. The eyes are oval and dark, with an alert, keen expression. While the breed standard does not specify a fox face, the Australian Cattle Dog's muzzle is medium-length and deep, which could be considered similar to a fox's snout.

The Australian Cattle Dog's ears and eyes are prone to health issues

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed with a compact, muscular build, a broad skull, and a sturdy, symmetrical frame. While they are generally healthy, they are prone to certain health issues, particularly in their ears and eyes.

The ears of an Australian Cattle Dog are pricked, small to medium in size, and set wide apart, with hair covering the inside. While ear problems are not mentioned as frequently as eye problems, it is important to ensure that they do not get a wax buildup, as this can lead to infections. Regular ear cleaning is essential to maintaining the health of their ears.

The eyes of an Australian Cattle Dog are oval-shaped and dark, with an alert and keen expression. One of the most common health issues they face is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which is the deterioration of the retina and can lead to complete blindness. This condition is hereditary and affects both the "red" and "blue" variations of the breed. It is important for breeders to check for PRA to help prevent the spread of this condition.

Another eye condition that affects Australian Cattle Dogs is primary lens luxation, which is the dislocation of the lens and can also result in blindness. This condition can cause the dog to bump into things as their vision deteriorates. Additionally, they may inherit heterochromia, which is a pigmentation change in the eye that results in one blue eye. While this condition is not harmful to the dog's health, it is a unique feature of the breed.

To summarise, while Australian Cattle Dogs are generally healthy, they are prone to health issues in their ears and eyes. Regular cleaning and check-ups are essential to maintaining their health, and breeders should be vigilant in checking for progressive retinal atrophy to prevent the spread of this hereditary condition.

The breed is energetic, intelligent and independent

The Australian Cattle Dog is a highly energetic, intelligent, and independent breed. They were developed in Australia during the 19th century by cattle farmer Thomas Hall, who crossed dogs used by stockmen with the dingo to create the perfect cattle dog. This breed is energetic by nature, requiring a high level of physical activity and structured activities that engage and challenge them. They are intelligent and responsive, making them easy to train, especially when presented with challenging and interesting tasks. They are also independent, with a level of self-sufficiency that is common among working dogs.

Australian Cattle Dogs are energetic and intelligent, making them excellent working dogs. They are well-suited to activities that require athleticism, intelligence, and endurance, such as dog agility, herding trials, and dog sports. They are also used as service dogs, therapy dogs, police dogs, and drug detection dogs. Their high energy and intelligence mean they need plenty of exercise, interaction with their owners, and structured activities to stay happy and healthy.

This breed is also known for its independence, a trait that can be advantageous in certain working roles but can also lead to unwanted outcomes if not properly trained. Their independence and intelligence can make them more challenging to train, as they may become bored with repetitive tasks. They respond well to structured training, especially when it is varied, interesting, and challenging.

The Australian Cattle Dog's intelligence and energy also make them excellent companions for children, as they can grow up together in harmony. However, they may have the instinct to nip at heels, so proper training and supervision are necessary. Overall, the Australian Cattle Dog is a loyal and protective companion that thrives on change and new experiences, making them a versatile and engaging breed.

They are born white and develop their adult colouration at around four weeks old

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of herding dog that was developed in Australia during the 19th century. The breed was created by cattle farmer Thomas Hall, who mixed two breeds: dogs used by stockmen and the dingo. The result was a new breed called the Halls Heelers, which later developed into two modern breeds: the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized, short-coated dog that comes in two main colour forms: red and blue. Interestingly, both red dogs and blue dogs are born white and begin to develop their adult colouration at around four weeks old. As they grow, red or black hairs begin to show through their white coats, giving them the appearance of a "red" or "blue" dog. This distinctive adult colouration is the result of black or red hairs closely interspersed through a predominantly white coat.

The Australian Cattle Dog is known for its sturdy, muscular, and compact build, with a broad skull that flattens between the eyes. It has a medium-length, deep, and powerful muzzle, as well as pricked ears that are small to medium in size and set wide apart. The eyes are oval and dark, giving the dog an alert and keen expression.

In terms of temperament, the Australian Cattle Dog is energetic, intelligent, and independent. It responds well to structured training and forms a strong attachment to its owners. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring minimal brushing during the shedding period. Overall, the Australian Cattle Dog is a loyal and protective companion that thrives on physical activity and mental stimulation.

They are easy to train and require a high level of physical activity

The Australian Cattle Dog is a highly intelligent breed, ranking 10th in Stanley Coren's 'The Intelligence of Dogs'. They are easy to train and respond well to structured training, especially if it is interesting and challenging. They were originally bred to herd by biting and are known to nip running children, so it is important to train them properly from a young age. They form a strong attachment to their owners and can be protective of them and their possessions. They are also good with older, considerate children.

As a breed, the Australian Cattle Dog demands a high level of physical activity. They are energetic and have an active and fertile mind, so they need to be kept busy with structured activities and regular interaction with their owner. They are well-suited to any activity that calls for athleticism, intelligence, and endurance, such as dog agility, obedience competition, and dog sports like weight pulling, flyball, and schutzhund. They also make excellent hiking companions due to their natural endurance and preference for staying by their owner's side. Most Australian Cattle Dogs love the water and are excellent swimmers.

They are excellent swimmers and can survive in cool, hot and temperate conditions

The Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, muscular, and compact dog breed that was developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. They are highly adaptable and can survive in cool, hot, and temperate conditions. They can live outdoors in a shelter or indoors, but they require a high level of physical activity to stay happy and healthy.

Australian Cattle Dogs are excellent swimmers and love the water. They are also excellent hiking companions due to their natural endurance and preference for staying close to their owners. Their endurance and athleticism make them well-suited for activities such as canicross, disc dog, and skijoring or bikejoring.

These dogs have a short, straight outer coat that is easy to groom and maintain. They only need occasional brushing, and bathing is only necessary when there is an odour problem. Their coat colour can be red or blue, giving them the nicknames "Red Heeler" and "Blue Heeler," respectively.

Australian Cattle Dogs are intelligent, energetic, and independent. They respond well to structured training, especially when it is interesting and challenging. They are protective of their owners and can be trained to be excellent guard dogs. However, they have a strong herding instinct and may nip at the heels of running children.

Overall, Australian Cattle Dogs are loyal and affectionate companions that thrive on physical activity and mental stimulation. They are adaptable to various living conditions and can be excellent family pets, as long as they receive the exercise and attention they need.

Frequently asked questions