Breed Spotlight: Australian Cattle Dog

Coat Type and Colors

Australian cattle dogs have short, smooth coats with a dense undercoat. Their most common coloration is a light grey known as “blue.” Because of this, Australian cattle dogs are also known as the blue heeler dog. The blue is often mottled with black and tan, with darker markings on the face. Some cattle dogs develop a red coat instead — these are known as the red heeler dog.

Ears

Cattle dogs have moderately-sized, wide-set ears. Like most dogs, their ears can be highly expressive, perking up when alert.

Shedding and Grooming

With their short coat, Australian cattle dogs can get by with a weekly brushing and occasional bath. They shed their undercoat twice a year, during which they’ll need a thorough brushing every few days.³

Drooling Level

These dogs rarely drool, making them less prone to creating messes on furniture and fabric.

Behavior

True to its name, the Australian cattle dog is highly energetic and task-driven. They love to play, run, and perform, making them excellent partners for athletic pet owners. Cattle dogs are also extremely loyal and, once adopted, will be by your side for life. Just make sure to keep your cattle dog occupied, or they might get into some mischief.

Exercise Needs

The Australian cattle dog is a veritable dynamo. Odds are, their exercise needs will outlast yours. Cattle dogs need more than just a daily walk and playtime to stay happy. Structured activities, like an agility course, are recommended for these bundles of boundless energy.

Good with Other Pets?

This breed will get along with most other dogs, but early socialization is key. Their herding instinct could come out as bossiness, which might upset playmates.

Trainability

It’s no surprise that cattle dogs are highly trainable. They were bred for a life of herding cattle. Their intelligence means they’re excellent at following orders. Early obedience training is a must if you want to forge a strong bond and keep your Australian cattle dog out of trouble.

Good with Kids?

Cattle dogs can be highly loyal and protective once bonded with their family. High energy and a trickster streak means they might clash with younger children, however. Australian cattle dogs do best with kids aged 10 and older.

Barking Level

Even without obedience training, the Australian cattle dog rarely barks. They are by nature watch dogs, however, meaning they’ll let you know when strangers approach.

The Australian Cattle Dog: A History

The cattle dog is as Australian as its name. Its ancestry is directly tied to the history and nature of the continent from Down Under.

The Hall family came to New South Wales with the goal of establishing a cattle ranch.⁴ At the time, Old English sheepdogs were the most common type of working dog in the Australian colonies. Thomas Hall found their performance lacking, however. He imported Northumberland Blue Merle drovers dogs and crossbred them with domesticated dingoes, the wild dog that roams the Australian outback. By 1840, Hall had established a new breed, called Halls heelers, used exclusively on the Hall ranch. Not until 1870 would the Heelers be more widely distributed across the continent.

The Cattle Dog Club of Sydney coined the name “Australian cattle dog” in 1890. This hard-working breed made its way to the United States in the 1950s, brought by World War II veterans returning from deployment in Australia. It wasn’t until 1980, however, that the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Australian Cattle Dog. Kennel clubs in Canada and the United Kingdom quickly followed suit.