Anatolian Cattle Dog

Anatolian Cattle Dog

Also known as the Blue Heeler, Queensland Heeler, and the Australian Heeler, the Australian Cattle Dog was especially bred to move cattle over long distances in the rugged Australian Outback. The Australian Cattle Dog has been selectively bred for its bravery and to have a strong biting instinct. These characteristics were necessary for snapping at the legs of the cattle it was driving. The Australian Cattle Dog is now very popular as a companion animal.

History:

Australian bush cattle had rarely, or never, seen people and dogs, so the early Australian stockmen needed a really brave dog to move their cattle. Also, it was necessary to drive these wild cattle over long distances in the extremely hot and dry conditions of the Australian Outback.

The Australian Cattle Dog was therefore custom-bred. A stockman called Timmins is credited with starting the breed by taking a tough breed of working dog called a Smithfield and crossing it with a Dingo. This dog, known as the Timmins Biter, was very useful in some ways but difficult to control and very vocal. The breed was improved for control, by crossing with Collies, but this over-emphasized barking, so it was necessary to cross the breed again with Dingoes. To further modify behavior, the breed was then said to have been crossed with the Dalmatian, and more recently the Australian Kelpie. This especially bred dog was originally called the Queensland Blue Heeler, then later renamed the Australian Cattle Dog.

Physical characteristics:

The Australian Cattle Dog has a rugged and sturdy appearance with a symmetrical body. Height: 18 - 20 in (46 - 51 cm) for the male and 17 - 19 in (43 - 48 cm) for the female. Weight: about 33 - 51 lb (15 - 23 kg). The head is wedge-shaped and can be very broad in some dogs. The brown, oval eyes are of medium size and are matched with upright, medium-sized ears. The body is muscular but proportionate with a straight back and legs. The coat is short, straight, and quite dense. It is colored either blue or red and may have tan coloring and white speckled markings.

Behavior:

The Australian Cattle Dog is only a medium-sized dog but it behaves as though it is very large. This breed is tough and very determined. Generally speaking, the Australian Cattle Dog is slow to excite, well-balanced, and often very independent.

The Australian Cattle Dog makes an excellent watch-dog as it has a strong sense of territory. This dog will readily bark at any potential territorial incursion from another dog, a person or even a teasing cat, so it should be encouraged to bark at the sounds and events that you consider important, such as burglars. From the beginning, you should reprimand your dog for barking when you are sure the disturbance is not important.

As the Australian Cattle Dog is only of medium size it is not generally used as a guard dog, as it has a limited deterrent value. However, in reality its strong sense of territory can make it a formidable guard dog.

Care must be taken to adequately socialize the Australian Cattle Dog with other dogs. Allowing it to freely mix with other puppies and older dogs dramatically reduces the potential for later problems. The characteristics of chasing and biting have been bred into this dog, so poorly socialized Australian Cattle Dogs which are fearful of other dogs will sometimes attack first.

In the majority of cases the Australian Cattle Dog gets along with people of all ages. However, these dogs are not for the faint-hearted. Both the bitch as well as the dog can be very dominant animals. If people are assertive towards their Australian Cattle Dog from the start, they will get on really well.

As long as the Australian Cattle Dog is not allowed to regularly win all the games it plays with people, it can make an excellent family dog. Tug-of-war and chasing are games to be avoided. The dog's powerful jaws and excellent maneuverability mean it will usually win. Such play is similar to arm wrestling in people and is taken very seriously by the dog.

As with most dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog will thrive on the attention it receives from its owners. This dog will readily obey the more assertive person and be inclined to disobedience with the faint-hearted. Once it is established that the dog is a junior member of the social hierarchy, it will be a marvelous socializer and ready to please all those around it.

As this dog was bred to be a worker, it thrives on regular exercise. A poorly exercised Australian Cattle Dog can become withdrawn and aggressive. Housing requirements need only be minimal, as this dog is very hardy and is happy to live outdoors.

Except for when it is working, this dog only requires an average amount of food. Generally the Australian Cattle Dog will moderate its own food intake, but bored un-worked dogs will put on weight if over-fed.

Australian Cattle Dogs have few common ailments and are generally a robust and healthy breed. They can make excellent companion animals as long as owners behave assertively towards them from the outset, and provide them with plenty of exercise.

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