Australian Cattle Dog: Proper Care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The breed originates in the 1800s, when, as a result of the colonization of the Australian continent, imported breeds began to interbreed with local ones. There is no clear version of the origin. The Australian Cattle Dog (APC) has Dalmatian and Blue Marble Collies in its bloodstream.

Another breed name is Australian Heelers. They were bred specifically for grazing cattle. They successfully perform the difficult task of maintaining a herd without human intervention. These dogs are so smart and responsible. The Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stubtail Cattle Dog are closely related breeds. Although the latter, unlike the former, are not recognized by the FCI.

Australian Cattle Dog. History

The so-called Hall healers became the basis of this breed. In 1802, George Hall arrived with his family in the colony of New South Wales. He needed cattle dogs in order to have an edge over his competitors. Shepherd breeds brought from England did not adapt well to the Australian climate. Obviously,then the idea came up to cross dogs with dingoes. George's business was continued by his son Thomas. It is not known for certain what gave the healers a blue color. According to one version, the Northumberland blue marbled cattle dog was the ancestor of the APS.

This breed was distinguished by excellent working qualities, but, unfortunately, has long disappeared. The Australian shepherd dog took its temperament and characteristic color from the Northumberland shepherd dogs. From the dingo, the breed inherited endurance to the hot climate of the Australian continent, as well as a luxurious tail. The Australian Short-tailed Cattle Dog is somewhat closer to the Northumberland Cattle Dogs. Although there is very little evidence of them, some descriptions indicate the presence of a short tail.

Features of the breed

The Australian Cattle Dog is very hardy, which allows him to work all day in the field, maintaining his playfulness and energy. These are tireless guards, companions, faithful and reliable watchmen. They retain puppyish enthusiasm, he alth and quick reactions until old age.

These adorable cattle herders are almost universal. Australian Heelers are ideal for farm use. Flexible, strong and hardy, they require little to no training.

Signs of breed

The Australian Cattle breed is compact, symmetrical and has a working build. Excellent muscles are the main advantage that the Australian Cattle Dog can boast of. The nature of the animals is very balanced, anydeviation towards nervousness and aggression is considered marriage.

There must be courage, endurance in the burrow. The dog is obliged to respond to strangers from puppyhood. Any deviation from working breed standards in a puppy is a serious mistake.

Head with a broad skull, slightly arched between the ears. Its dimensions are proportional to the body. The lower jaw is strong, the lips are hard. The eye sockets are oval in shape, not sunken, but not convex either. There is alertness in the look, it always expresses attention. The ears are medium or small, erect, sharp and dense. They are widely spaced on the skull, tense in case of alarm.

APS's shoulders are strong, muscular and sloping. The paws are powerful, straight, the pasterns are bent at a slight angle. The proportions of the body must be strictly observed. The ratio between the height at the withers and the length from the chest to the buttocks in a straight line is 9:10. Height at withers 43-51 cm.

Hind legs are muscular, with wide and sloping thighs. The croup itself is slightly sloping. The tail is set low. Hangs with a slight curve. The back gives the impression of being elongated. The gait is free, the movements are not constrained. The ability to quickly change position is a must.

Coat and color

Smooth coat with a short thick undercoat should protect from overheating under the hot sun of the Australian continent. Along the withers, the coat is thicker and longer. The average size of hairs is from 2 to 4 cm. The color of the dog varies from gray to red. The most common marble pattern, black and red spots, especiallyon the muzzle. The characteristic color is gray with black glasses around the eyes. There is also a blue, speckled blue color. A brown undercoat is acceptable, but brown markings are undesirable. Currently, dogs with a red color are distinguished into a special species. They have more dingo in their blood.

Development Features

Because the dog is working, it needs to be mobile. Dog handlers note that healers are not very adapted to living in an apartment. APS is capable of covering tens of kilometers per day. For the harmonious development of the puppy, outdoor games are simply necessary. In addition to energy, these dogs have high intellectual abilities, which also need to be developed. This means that in addition to running, classes and games are needed where the dog can show his ingenuity. Well, if you live in a rural area, and the dog has the opportunity to graze at least a small herd. In the absence of suitable conditions, agility will be the best training.

Caring for wool

If you like walking and sports, but caring for your pet's coat seems difficult, your ideal friend is the Australian Cattle Dog.

The coat is easy to care for - just lightly walk through it with a brush. APS do not need grooming. Winter clothing is not required. The undercoat provides the necessary thermal insulation, and the breed is able to withstand the cold not only in central Russia, but also in Siberia. The rest of the dogunpretentious.

For a lustrous coat and good he alth, use only natural supplements. For example: spirulina, dry seaweed, fish oil, linseed oil. Do not overdosing. Introduce food supplements gradually.

Shedding in bitches happens twice a year after estrus. Males molt once a year. The Australian Cattle Dog does not smell, so it does not need regular bathing. Brushing wool is preferable. You can wipe it with a cloth soaked in vinegar. You can wash the dog from dirt with water. The unique coat of the healer is capable of self-cleaning.

Australian Cattle Dog. Menu

A herding dog, by definition, should eat modestly. General rules apply to APS. The degree of loading is of the greatest importance. For a full-fledged working dog, more protein food is required. Australian breeders predominantly use natural food for their healers. Veterinarians have developed a special BASF system. These nutritional recommendations are followed by many Russian breeders. You can see for yourself how unpretentious the Australian Cattle Dog is. The price of its content is also quite acceptable.

In an adult APS, the diet is 3-5% of the weight. 60% of it is meat or fish products. However, they must be fresh and raw, excluding beef liver. The main share of meat should be offal - these are chicken necks and ridges, beef heart (with cut fat), as well as a tripe. The liver must be dried in the oven for 5-10 minutes. Small pieces are given out during walks or in training asencouragement. The Australian Cattle Dog loves to move and play. It is useful to give trim without fat and meat on the bone. Beef shank preferred. Several times a week you need to give fish, you can use the ridges and heads of salmon.

A couple of times a week, let's have fresh cottage cheese in small portions. Remember that the dog's body can only digest slightly weathered meat. As for other stale products that are a pity to throw away, they can cause irreparable harm to he alth. Dairy products can contribute to false pregnancy. For the same reason, you should not give yogurt to bitches in the period after estrus. Chicken eggs can be included in the diet. Give them raw, but no more than 1-2 pieces per week. Quail eggs go well.

Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage, greens. Everything is preferably from your own garden or farm. Let a small amount of vegetables in vegetable oil, pour in the broth or mix with meat or fish offal and give the dog once a day. If you often feed red fish, beets or carrots to the healer, his coat will turn brown. Minimize your use of these products by replacing them with non-red counterparts to maintain its shade.

What should not be fed to a dog?

It is undesirable to have smoked meats, s alty and spicy foods, fried foods, mushrooms in the menu. The consumption of fatty meat, pork, onion, garlic,yeast bread. Sweets and chocolate can kill your pet. As a treat, you can use not only the liver, but also cucumber, apples. In winter, add a tablespoon of dried berries daily to food. Perfectly he althy by nature, the Australian Cattle Dog appreciates proper care and nutrition. This quickie will keep you and your family moving and getting outdoors a lot.

Age, diseases, content

APS live 10-13 years. Typical diseases: arthrosis, atherosclerosis of the joints, eye cataracts, retinal dystrophy. Sometimes healers are born deaf. Pedigree needs to be carefully checked. Once outside the herd, the dogs graze everything they can. Any moving object can become an object of close attention for this dog. They graze a herd of healers, lightly biting its members on accessible parts of the body. Keep in mind that the puppy will try everything moving on the tooth. Proper nutrition and the right environment will keep your pet happy and he althy.