cattle dog ,Australian

The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD or Cattle Dog) is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. Today it is a versatile breed: a courageous and tireless worker,[1] an intelligent and athletic companion[1] and a loving and playful family pet.[2] It can bite "if harshly treated", it tends to nip heels to herd people, and it can be aggressive with other dogs.[1] However, it is loyal and biddable, and responds well to training.[3]

The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized, short-coated dog that occurs in two main colour forms. It has either brown or black hair distributed fairly evenly through a white coat, which gives the appearance of a ‘red’ or ‘blue’ dog.[2] It has been nicknamed a “Red Heeler” or “Blue Heeler” on the basis of this colouring and its practice of moving reluctant cattle by nipping at their heels.[2] Dogs from a line bred in Queensland, Australia, which were successful at shows and at stud in the 1940s were called “Queensland Heelers” to differentiate them from lines bred in New South Wales, and this nickname is now occasionally applied to any Australian Cattle Dog.[4]

While there is a good deal of mythology surrounding the origins of breed, in recent years, information technology that enables the manipulation of large databases, and advances in the understanding of canine genetics has allowed a clearer understanding of the Halls Heeler, its dispersal through eastern Australia, and its development into two modern breeds: the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.[4]

As with dogs from other working breeds, the Australian Cattle Dog has a good deal of energy, a quick intelligence, and an independent streak.[2] It responds well to structured training.[3] It is not aggressive, but forms a strong attachment with its owners and can be very protective of them and their possessions.[1] It is easy to groom and maintain.[5] The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness (both hereditary conditions) and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years.[6] Australian Cattle Dogs participate in a range of activities, from obedience, agility and herding competitions, to participating with their owners in hiking, flying disc, and endurance events, and working as therapy, assistance, or police dogs