Australian Cattle Dog Breed Overview
The Australian Cattle Dog is a herding dog that is was used for managing cattle on expansive 19th-century Australian ranches. Therefore their strong prey drive causes them to be mouthy, so nipping should not be allowed.
Moreover, this Heeler is a highly active working dog who thrives on new experiences. In fact the Aussie is sometimes referred to as the "velcro dog". So your Aussi will want to be as physically close to you as possible.
Finally, their strong personality leads them to be suspicious of strangers, so they make great watchdogs.
For more about this breed check out the
American Kennel Club.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy of this breed is 12-16 years.
Size & Activity Level
You can expect that your Aussie to weigh between 30 - 50 pounds at maturity. They are part of the Herding Group. An Aussie demands a high level of activity, as well as plenty of mental stimulation. In fact, they can be trained to be a star in agility, as well as obedience competitions.
Aussie Care & Grooming
You can expect your Aussie to have a weather-resistant outer coat with a dense undercoat. The Australian Cattle Dog will
blow coat twice a year, meaning they will change their coat to suit the season. It is completely natural for
dogs to “
blow coat” once or twice annually, changing
their winter
coat to
a lighter one for summer for example, as
the seasons change.
Finally, this breed will need plenty of room to run, things to do, and company to keep.
