Australian Cattle Dog: Your Complete Guide

Australian cattle dogs, sometimes shortened to just cattle dogs or heelers, have become a popular breed all over the world. In the past, they were bred for, you guessed it, herding cattle. Their specific purpose was to herd cattle across the large and empty landscapes that Australia used to offer. For this reason, many Australian cattle dogs have a lot of energy, independence, and an ability to get along well with other animals. This makes them great companions and even family dogs for some people.

That said, it’s important to learn more about Australian cattle dogs before you consider adopting one. They have unique personalities and can be a bit nippy or stubborn, so it’s important to understand why they may act this way. 

The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about Australian cattle dogs and determine if adopting one is the right choice for you.

Quick Look at the Australian Cattle Dog 

Below is a quick glance at Australian cattle dogs in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.  

Weight/Height	17-20 inches, 30-50 pounds
Coat Type	short, straight, dense undercoat
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Friendly, loyal, independent, stubborn
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	12-15 years

What Is the History of Australian Cattle Dogs?

Australian cattle dogs have been around for a long time, with their ancestors dating back well before the 1800s. Throughout their history, the Australian cattle dog has gone through many changes, so some of the earlier versions of the breed might be unrecognizable if you look at them. Still, most people agree that the Australian cattle dog has some relation to the Australian dingo due to its size and appearance.

Initially, these dogs were bred as working dogs to assist cattle herders. They became popular and useful in this trade due to their nipping technique, which works well to get lazier animals to move. It’s for this reason that Australian cattle dogs got the name heeler; their herding technique has them bite at the heels of larger animals. In fact, some breeders refer to the Australian cattle dog as a Queensland heeler, blue heeler, red heeler, and silent heeler. 

One of the earliest versions of this breed was the one developed by George Elliot in Queensland in 1840. It was an experiment between a blue merle dingo and a collie. The result was a dog that cattle ranchers at the time quickly fell in love with. From there, other breeds, like the Dalmatian, entered the mix. Then, all types of other breeds were entered into the mix to produce desirable traits, but only the best outcomes were kept.

While these dogs are still used as working dogs today, some have become well-adjusted to family life, which is why the breed continues to grow in popularity. In more recent history, the Australian cattle dog was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1980. This means that there are breed standards in place.

What Do Australian Cattle Dogs Look Like?

Australian cattle dogs have a unique appearance, so you’ll know you’re looking at one when you see one. The most distinctive part of their appearance is their coat color. Most Australian cattle dogs have blue or red speckle coats. These are spotted coats that may also have black, blue, and tan marks on their heads. Many color combinations are possible, but they all tend to have speckle coats that look like they’re filled with small dots all throughout. Most Australian cattle dogs also have patches of tan or blue hair on their heads.

The shape of their head is similar to a German shepherd’s. They have a long, rectangular snout with a little black nose at the top. Towards their forehead, their head starts to flatten, with two pointy ears on both sides. Their eyes tend to be dark, and they may even match the coat. Australian cattle dogs are also known for their stumpy tails, which gives their appearance away compared to similar herding dogs in Australia.

What Size Is an Australian Cattle Dog?

Australian cattle dogs are medium-sized dogs. They have long legs, an athletic body, and a small head with floppy ears. Expect them to stand at around 17-20 inches and weigh 30-50 pounds. There are some slight variations between male and female Australian cattle dogs, with males being on the heavier side.

What Is an Australian Cattle Dog’s Coat Type and Length?

Australian cattle dogs have short coats that hug their body. This coat is often straight, but there may be some wiry hair around the tail and at the back of the neck.

What Is an Australian Cattle Dog’s Temperament? 

Australian cattle dogs are energetic dogs that need to be stimulated, or they will get bored. This plays a lot into their temperament. While they’re kind and gentle once they get to know you, if they’re not assigned to tasks or being challenged, they might be stubborn or even destructive. 

That said, once they get adjusted to the family, they’ll be loyal, protective, and ready to fall in line with the rest of the family. They’re okay around children, great with other animals, and not terrible with strangers. You’ll also find that they can be playful, curious, and affectionate under the right circumstances.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Good With Kids?

Australian cattle dogs are okay with kids, but there are some problems you need to be aware of. If the dog isn’t raised with the family, it’s possible for it to mistake children as animals that need to be herded. This is more common with younger children who run around often. In these cases, the Australian cattle dog may nip at their legs and chase them around. The good news is that this behavior can be trained away through socialization and training, so it’s not always a problem.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Good With Other Animals?

Australian cattle dogs are great with other animals. After all, they were bred to herd cattle, so they have no problem doing that if that’s what you need them for. Aside from herding cattle, Australian cattle dogs can get along well with other dogs if they’re not aggressive or territorial. 

That said, Australian cattle dogs aren’t always the best with small animals. They do have a prey drive, so it’s possible for them to chase cats around or become fascinated by them. Socialization from a young age is crucial to prevent or decrease these problems. 

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Aggressive?

Australian cattle dogs are not aggressive. While they will get aggressive if they feel threatened or if the herd is in danger, it’s not something you’ll have to worry about otherwise. While they might be standoffish towards strangers, they still won’t growl or attack them unless they feel like they’re in danger. If you do notice that your Australian cattle dog is acting aggressively, don’t panic, because you can train them to correct this issue. Focus on positive reinforcement and socialization training for the best results.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs Bark?

Australian cattle dogs aren’t the biggest barkers. While their bark can be loud and not suitable for apartments or shared housing, they don’t bark often. They also respond well to training, so you can always train them to prevent this behavior. The only time Australian cattle dogs tend to bark is if they feel like they’re in danger. They may also bark at strangers if they feel uncomfortable.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Affectionate?

Australian cattle dogs are affectionate dogs. They form bonds with their human companions, so they’ll hang around with you and cuddle when it’s time for bed. That said, Australian cattle dogs are independent, so don’t expect them to be attached at the hip like some other breeds. Australian cattle dogs may also lack affection with strangers or other animals during the first few introductions. Fortunately, this tends to go away as more interactions happen.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Intelligent?

Australian cattle dogs are one of the smartest breeds that you can encounter. They’re smart enough to learn any type of training, ranging from obedience training to service dog work. Australian cattle dogs are also smart enough to alert you to problems, herd animals, and solve puzzles. Unlike some other dog breeds, you’ll never have to worry about limitations with this dog due to their intelligence.

You’ll also find that they’re smart enough to escape if you don’t dog-proof your home. This is because they get curious and like to look around. When you pair that with their independence, it’s no surprise that they may try to run off and explore at the first chance they get.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Energetic?

Australian cattle dogs are some of the most energetic dogs that you’ll find. There’s nothing they love more than herding animals or crushing an agility training course. Ultimately, these dogs love to be active in any way that they can. In fact, if you have a large backyard space, you’ll find that they can make their own fun. Just leave them plenty of tools and puzzles to keep them stimulated. 

While Australian cattle dogs like to play on their own, that doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the fun. You can play games like fetch, frisbee, and much more. Overall, do your best to help them exercise for at least 60-120 minutes daily.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Easy to Train?

Australian cattle dogs are easy to train, but only if you’re challenging them and working on unique training like herding or agility training. For first-time pet owners, this can seem challenging at first, and if you’re not planning on training them for work or agility, good luck keeping them entertained or engaged. 

Failing to engage with them in this way can make training a slog, but it is possible. In these cases, we recommend working with a professional and focusing on socialization training from a young age. 

That said, if you do manage to get training started, Australian cattle dogs have a lot of potential. They’re smart enough to learn complex commands, remember dozens of commands, and much more. Plus, you can put them to work or even enter them into agility shows.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Good Watchdogs?

Australian cattle dogs can be good watchdogs, especially if they’re assigned to a large area or property where their independence can shine. Traits that make them a good watchdog include their loyalty, bravery, and willingness to bark when they feel threatened or in danger. Australian cattle dogs will also bark when they see other animals, but you can train this behavior away if necessary. 

In the past, Australian cattle dogs were known for running around the property to keep it secure. While Australian cattle dogs make good watchdogs, that shouldn’t be the main reason for adopting them. 

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Good Service Dogs?

Australian cattle dogs don’t make the best service dogs. They’re high-energy dogs, which means that you have to exercise with them and keep them engaged. While service dog training and work are complex enough to keep them engaged, they don’t do well sitting around all day. For people who have waking disabilities or for people who can’t move around well, this means this breed might not be a good fit.

While Australian cattle dogs are not the best service dogs, that doesn’t mean you can’t find them working in these areas. Organizations like Heelers4Heros train these dogs from birth to function as service animals. You can also train them yourself or work with an online provider for psychiatric service dog training. These training programs will equip your Australian cattle dog with the tools to offer unique therapy, teach you how they can help your condition, and much more.

Australian cattle dogs also make good emotional support dogs (ESDs). As long as you have the ability to train them for ESA work, they respond well to it and will even enjoy it as it becomes work for them, which is something that makes them happy anyway. Therapy dog work is also possible, but they don’t always operate well in large groups without proper training.

How to Care for an Australian Cattle Dog?

Caring for an Australian cattle dog can be challenging if you don’t know where to start. The good news is that they’re one of the easier breeds to care for if you have work for them to do. They don’t require a lot of grooming, and you don’t have to worry about many health issues. Therefore, your biggest concerns are nutrition, trips to the vet when something is wrong, and keeping up with shedding when they blow their coats.

Do You Need to Groom an Australian Cattle Dog?

Australian cattle dogs do need to be groomed by not as much as other breeds. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on their teeth, ears, and skin for any signs of decay or infection. You’ll also want to look into their ears weekly for signs of odor or discoloration (often black). These are signs of an infection.

If your Australian cattle dog isn’t active enough, which is rare, you’ll have to manually clip their nails. For their teeth, brush them a few times per week and provide them with treats that promote healthy gums and teeth. 

You also don’t have to bathe these dogs often, so only bathe them as needed. Hair trimming should be done by a professional, and this can be done every 6 months.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs Shed?

Australian cattle dogs do shed, but not more than other dogs. In fact, they tend to shed less than other dogs. The only time they will shed more is when they blow their coats. This occurs once a year, and you’ll notice their hair clumping and falling out in chunks. Once this time has passed, their shedding goes back to normal. You’ll know they’re blowing their coats when you can see, and even pull, these little clumps of hair from their coat.

What Health Problems Do Australian Cattle Dogs Have?

Australian cattle dogs don’t have a ton of health issues compared to some other breeds. Still, conditions like hip dysplasia (malformed hip) are always possible and need to be diagnosed from a young age.

Some common health conditions that impact Australian cattle dogs include:

• Elbow dysplasia 
• Luxating patellas 
• Portosystemic shunt
• Kidney stones
• Hearing loss 
• Dermatitis 
• Ear infections 

While some of these health conditions are chronic, that doesn’t mean they can’t be treated. Regular trips to the vet are essential to catch health issues from a young age.

How Long Do Australian Cattle Dogs Live?

Australian cattle dogs tend to live for 12-15 years. In fact, if you give them plenty of exercise and something to keep them stimulated, there’s a good chance that they’ll stick around for even longer. Make sure you help them exercise, take them to the vet, and feed them a healthy diet to help them live as long as possible.

What Should an Australian Cattle Dog Eat?

Australian cattle dogs need to eat a healthy diet that meets all of their nutritional needs. If they’re active and working, you’ll want to feed them high-quality food a few times per day. You should aim to feed them twice daily and try to feed them two to three cups of food per day. 

We recommend mixing kibble and wet food; the wet food helps with hydration if your dog is very active. Always leave fresh water around as well, especially if they’re outdoors in the heat. As they become older and less active, reduce your dog’s food intake and avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity.

Is an Australian Cattle Dog the Right Dog for Me?

Australian cattle dogs are great family dogs and will become a loving member of your family in no time if you keep them happy. That said, you have to be able to keep them happy. You’ll need an outdoor space, enough room for them to feel independent, and the resources to feed and train them. 

While you don’t need a lot of financial resources, you’ll also need to spend a lot of time training them and coming up with ways to keep them stimulated. Failing to do so can result in a stubborn, destructive, and unhappy Australian cattle dog. 

Therefore, the Australian cattle dog isn’t one of our top picks for first-time dog owners. That said, if you have the time to keep them stimulated, building a relationship with an Australian cattle dog can be extremely rewarding.