Missouri Licensed
The Australian Cattle Dog is a relatively hearty, healthy breed that has an average lifespan of twelve to fifteen years. They are a medium sized muscular dog that stands 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm.) at the withers (shoulders). Their weight range is variant around their general build but on average falls between 30 and 50 pounds (14 to 23 kg). The Australian Cattle Dog comes in two colors: Blue or Red.
Australian Cattle Dogs are born white with whatever face and/or body patches they will have in later life. As ACD pups age, their blue or red coloring gradually emerges. The correct Australian Cattle Dog coat is what is known as a "double coat". The short, straight outer coat is protective in nature, keeping the elements from the ACDs skin while the undercoat is short, kinky and dense. Australian Cattle Dogs are not year-round shedders, instead they blow their coat once a year (sometimes twice in the case of intact females) just before the summer months.
While many ranchers dock the tails of Australian Cattle Dogs, to do so is an
INCREDIBLE disservice to the breed. ;)
Just watching an ACD at work shows one how much they
rely on their tails to act as "rudders" as they quickly manuever around the
livestock.
The Australian Cattle Dog is an EXTREMELY active breed, with mental stimulation being of paramount importance. A bored Cattle Dog is a destructive Cattle Dog !! The Australian Cattle Dog is a social breed that NEEDS to be with "its people". This is NOT a breed to leave chained or penned in the back yard....such isolation will lead to SERIOUS personality problems !! Because the Australian Cattle Dog is an active breed, a firm commitment must be made to exercise. ACDs make excellent running or biking companions although care must be taken not to over exert the young dog. Because of their intelligence, ACDs make WONDERFUL obedience prospects (although their intelligence can actually be a hinderance in this ring also). Australian Cattle Dogs are also known to excell at Dog Sports such as Flyball, Agility and Frisbee competition. The sky is the limit when your companion of choice is an ACD
This the breed that first became a part of Reichel Farms in the Fall of 1996 when "Lady" adopted our family. Now we have two sires as part of our breeding program; Rocky, a blue, and Tony, a red. Lady has retired to duties of just being the Grandma dog. Her daughter, Jo-Jo, has raised many litters and is still doing a great job. Missy, Molly and Sophie are all joining as they approach the 18 month old mark. Lacey and Kammie are puppies that will keep the tradition of good purebred heelers going in the future.
Since research has shown that Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the breeds that have a 14.5% rate of deafness, I feel it is only fair to share this with families. My dogs are purebred, but not registered and I do not do the BAER testin on puppies, so there is no health guarantee. But, in the ten years, we have raised this breed, our percentage of deafness has been less than 5% and we have worked with the families that have sought our assistance. Most have responded well to American Sign Language and/or vibratin collars. It is most prevalent in the whiter heelers. In the last year, we have lowered that to less than 1%. Please keep this in mind when choosing a puppy as it is hard to confirm until the puppy is well past the 8 weeks, but rest assured, we will work with you and your new family member.
Lizzy came to us from Alabama |
Joni, a Rocky/Jo Jo daughter |
Rambo, a Rocky/Jo Jo son |
Dixie came to us from Kansas |
Roper came to us from Kansas |
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More information on this breed. . .
Other Names: Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Aussie
Type: Herding Dog
Height: 17 - 20 inches
Weight: 35 - 45 lbs.
Colors: Blue, blue mottled or blue speckled with or without black, blue or tan markings on head.
Coat: Smooth, hard, straight, water-resistant top coat and short, dense undercoat.
Temperament: Australian Cattle Dogs are bold, determined
With Children: Good with their family's children, but may not deal with other children well as the Australian Cattle Dog will interpret playful wrestling and chase games as a threat or as a call to herd.
With Pets: Wary of other dogs. Special Skills: Cattle driver and family pet.
Watch-dog: High, very suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog: High, protective of family.
Care and Training: Australian Cattle Dogs should be brushed once a week. They needs long, vigorous walks at least twice a day. Can be headstrong and need to be taught to obey their owners commands at an early age.
Learning Rate: High
Activity: Very High
Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is essential. The owner of an Australian Cattle Dog should be a no-nonsense leader.
Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, hereditary deafness and occasional eye problems.
Life Span: 12 - 15 years
Litter Size: 4 - 8
Country of Origin: Australia
History: Developed in Australia around the early 1800's the Australian Cattle Dog was used to cross great distances in herding cattle. Since records were not well kept it is only with speculation that their ancestry is known. Australian Cattle Dogs may have been crossed with the blue merle Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Dalmatian and Australian Kelpie. Originally called the Blue Heeler, it wasn't until 1903 that they were known as the the Australian Cattle Dog.
First Registered by the AKC: 1980
AKC Group: Herding
Class: Herding
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 1), KC (GB), UKC