The History of Australian Cattle DogsThe harsh Australian outback could never have been tamed by cattle ranchers if it hadn’t been for the assistance of the tough little dogs we now know as Australian Cattle Dogs. To build a breed that could withstand the environmental conditions, George Elliott of Queensland crossed native Australian dogs called Dingoes with the now-extinct Smithfield and then with blue merle Highland Collies. The dogs were good workers, but brothers Jack and Harry Bagust in Sydney decided to experiment with them some more. They made a cross to a Dalmatian, which with selective breeding added a speckled look to the breed as well as an instinct for being comfortable around horses and loyal to people. Some of the working ability was lost, but a cross to a black and tan Kelpie brought it back. The resulting dogs looked like Dingoes but with a more thickset body and unusual markings. Those dogs became the ancestors of the modern ACD. The blue dogs were especially popular and became known as Blue Heelers or Queensland Blue Heelers. Robert Kaleski began showing the dogs in 1897 and drew up a breed standard for them in 190 It was approved in 1903 by the Cattle and Sheep Dog Club of Australia and the Kennel Club of New South Wales. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1980, adding it to the Working Group. When the Herding Group was formed in 1983, the breed was moved. The ACD ranks 64th among the breeds registered by the AKC.
Wherever you acquire your Australian Cattle Dog, make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides. In states with “puppy lemon laws,” be sure you and the person you get the dog from both understand your rights and recourses. Puppy or adult, take your Australian Cattle Dog to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues.
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This background means that they are very energetic and playful dogs with a high intelligence. You’ll need to make sure that you have enough time to spend with your Blue Heeler outside, although they also do well as a pet rather than a working dog when they are trained and socialized properly.
With a high activity level, these pups love to run around. However, they have a high prey drive because they are a working dog and can be known to chase things. Luckily, because of their intelligence, they can also be trained easily. They love to work and will thrive in an environment where they have something to do.
If you want an energetic and active dog that wants to spend their days by your side, a Blue Heeler might be for you. This loving and affectionate dog thrives in an active environment and also makes an excellent family dog. Although they love humans — both adults and older children — they are not afraid to bark when they are scared so they also make excellent guard dogs. They can display herding behavior around other animals and small children, but with the right training and socialization, the Australian Cattle Dog can be the perfect family pup.
Because Blue Heeler dogs love to work and feel needed, they are very easy to train. They are also intelligent and pick up of things very easily. Just like all dogs, they will benefit from positive reinforcement training which includes both verbal rewards and treats. Training can help to stop unwanted behaviors that your Blue Heeler may show when you have to leave the house, as well as helping to stop herding behavior.
Thomas Hall is somewhat responsible for the creation of the Heeler. He crossed the Collie with the Australian Dingo creating the Halls Heeler, which is thought to be one of the ancestors of the Australian Cattle Dog due to their appearance.
Author Guy Hull, who calls himself a dog behaviouralist, has had a lifelong interest in the contribution of canines to the nations development, hence his book title, The Dogs that Made Australia.
Well never know how Hall went about it because after his death in 1870, his meticulous breeding records were dumped down a well.
Hall was part of a family dynasty with a spread of properties from western Queensland almost all the way to Sydney and a beef empire that at its peak had about 60,000 head.
The blue heeler, now officially called the Australian cattle dog, was the first successful Australian dog breed.
Its believed to be the only instance in the world where a wild dog has been bred with a domestic dog to achieve a biddable working offspring.