History
The Australian Cattle Dog (also known as the Blue Heeler) has a rich and practical history that is tied closely to Australia’s cattle history.
In the early 19th century, as cattle ranching expanded across the rugged terrain, local stockmen needed a tough, intelligent and tireless canine to manage the semi wild cattle over vast distances. The existing herding dogs that were brought from Great Britian such as the Smithfield and Old English Sheepdog could not cope with Australia’s harsh climate and wide-ranging conditions.
To develop a more suitable dog, Australian settlers began crossbreeding several breeds leading to the birth of the Australian Cattle Dog
Smithfield dogs were initially crossed with Dingoes (Australia’s wild dogs) for endurance and resilience.
Later, these were crossed with Collies, particularly the Blue Merle Highland Collie, for better herding instincts.
Some lines also included Dalmatian blood for loyalty and horse affinity, and possibly Bull Terrier for tenacity.
A significant figure in the breed’s development was Thomas Hall, a New South Wales cattleman. By the 1840s, he had developed a reliable herding dog known as “Hall’s Heelers”, considered the foundation of the modern ACD. These dogs became famous for their ability to control cattle by nipping at their heels—hence the nickname Heeler.
Is An Australian Cattle Dog Right For Me
First let me start off by saying that the Australian Cattle Dog is an incredible breed. They are loyal, hard working, incredibly smart, and will be your best friend until the day they leave you. With that being said, they are not the right breed for every owner. Let me share the pros and cons of each
PROS:
PROS: If you are looking for an energetic, smart, incredibly loving dog, then the Australian Cattle Dog may just be what you are looking for. Their intelligence is second only to the Border Collie and within 2 weeks I had by 16-week-old puppy sitting, laying down, rolling over, and centering between my legs. Durham was fully potty trained, and crate trained within a month of ownership. I will admit that there were some sleepless nights in the beginning with us taking him out at 3AM to use the restroom and making sure that even if he cried, he would stay in his crate. My wife loves to go for walks, and she will take Durham with her. She gets tired before he does. I love playing fetch with him and tug of war. If you are looking for a water dog, then look no further than the Blue Heeler. Durham loves to
CONS:
If you are the type of person that thinks that two 15 minute walks a day is enough exercise for you and your dog, then this is not the dog for you. The average Cattle Dog needs 2 – 2 1/2 hours of vigorous mental and physical exercise a day. If they do not get this exercise, they can become destructive, unloyal, and even sometimes aggressive. Remember, these dogs were bred to move animals 10 times their size. I personally do not recommend an Australian Cattle Dog if you cannot do the following
- Keep to a rigorous schedule: feeding, playing, training, and sleep at approximately the same time help your dog feel comfortable
- Train Daily: Training every day keeps your Cattle Dog’s mind exercised. Don’t do the same tricks in a row every day. Mix it up and you will see that they are smarter than you think
- Expose them to Different Things: Make sure your dog meets people and goes places. If you keep them in the house or go for a walk at the same place, they will grow fearful if you do decide to take them to different places or people.
- Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: Cattle Dogs have endless energy and need to release it. Play games with them such as fetch, go on long walks, get herding balls for them to play with. I have found out that “a tired Cattle Dog is a happy Cattle Dog” – and a happy owner!