Australian herding dogs: breed history, temperament and grooming rules

Australian herding dogs, like many other breeds, were bred artificially. Despite the fact that farms are now equipped with more appliances, Cattle Dogs have not lost their popularity (they were originally obtained for moving animals), they are still loved. They became good and loyal friends.

Australian herding dogs (or healers) and Australian short-tailed herding dogs have closely related roots. They originate in the XIX century from the tamed dingo and collie. It can be said that this is a successful result of the bold experiment of Thomas Hall from New South Wales. He crossed these animals on his farm, the resulting offspring used for their needs. Australian farmers needed strong and resilient assistants to guard and distill their herds over long distances.

However, until 1870, the healers were exclusively the property of Hall’s farms. After the owner passed away, all his property, including the lands and living creatures that inhabited them, was determined for auction.

The shepherd dogs were cultivated by perennial crossbreeding with other breeds, among which mainly were kelly and dalmatian. The results then resulted in the formation of two modern breeds. They were the Australian healers (shepherds) and Australian short-tailed herding dogs.

Until the end of World War II, representatives of these breeds did not leave the borders of their native continent. It was only when the soldiers returned to America and Canada that Cattle Dogs reached other countries where they were appreciated. Strong and strong shepherds became assistants to American farmers. At the end of the 1980s, the first representatives of these breeds were brought to the territory of Great Britain, and from there to other European countries.

In Russia, these dogs appeared in 2004, when a Polish female was brought. Then 7 years later, received the first offspring. Also in 2011, representatives of the breed from Australia were brought to Russia.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a strong, strong and enduring animal. Although at first glance she seems clumsy, but on close acquaintance the healer turns out to be agile and agile. One of the signs indicating pure blood is the predominance of the length of the animal over its height (10: 9 ratio). Australian shepherd dog can be called compact. The height of such an animal usually does not exceed 50 centimeters at the withers (in males), in females it is up to 45–48 cm. A suitable body weight for them is 15–23 kilograms.

There are two variants of coloring wool of representatives of Kettle dog, although usually puppies are born white (like Dalmatians or with white markings).

• Blue, blue or cyan with splashes. This may be a solid color wool or there are inclusions (spots, markings). They can be located evenly throughout the body or in separate parts of the body (head, limbs, in the throat, outside of the thigh). The color of the markings are varied: black, yellow-brown, mustard, blue (lighter than the rest of the color), brown.

• Auburn or red with splashes. The color is uniform, and there may be marks of red, red, dark red shades on the head. Inclusions on the body may also be present, but they are undesirable and may affect the cost of the puppy in the direction of its reduction.

The last standard for the Australian shepherd and short-tailed dog was adopted in 2012. Any changes that are not included in it are considered invalid. Such animals may not participate in international or national competitions. According to this standard, Australian shepherd and short-tailed dogs are described as follows:

• purpose and purpose: for the protection and grazing of animals (in particular cattle), because these are shepherd dogs;
• silhouette: harmonic healers of small size and proportional physique;
• the ratio of length and height of the animal at the withers is 10: 9;
• cranial part of the head: wide skull, head size proportional to the body, slightly convex frontal part, flattens as it approaches the muzzle;
• face: muscular cheekbones, black nose, lips usually dry and tight;
• muzzle: powerful, wide, medium length;
• teeth and bite: normal scissor; 42 strong and strong teeth, so the dog can bite large animals by the legs, for example, a cow, hence the name healer, which translates as heel;
• ears are far apart, landing wide, slightly smaller than average size; they have a pointed tip and widen towards the base;
• eyes and gaze: medium-sized eyes, have a medium fit, alertness and intelligence are noticeable in the gaze;
• the neck is of medium length, muscular, devoid of dewlap;
• body: croup long, deep, medium chest width, strong back, straight topline, strong and wide loin;
• tail: it is usually not stopped, it is lowered at rest, has a low landing;
• front paws: straight, parallel to each other; fingers are short and end with stiff pads, paws are somewhat rounded, strong forearms, shoulder blades set obliquely and strong;
• hind legs: widely spaced, strong, strong, muscular; hock and knee joints have well-marked corners, long and wide hips.

The coat is usually smooth, has a thick and short undercoat. The guard hairs are waterproof, thick, tight, straight and coarse. On the face and on the front of the limbs, the coat is usually shorter than on the rest of the animal. The standard for a cattle dog is the length of the body coat from 2.5 to 4 cm. Changing this value to either side is a marriage and the reason to exclude the animal from the competition and the breed registry.

This breed, like any other, has its positive and negative sides. The first include the following:

• devotion;
• endurance;
• cheerful character;
• cheerfulness;
• get along well with children and love them;
• high mind;
• ease;
• propensity to learn.

The negative points are the following:

• some imbalance of character;
• animal biting habit;
• the need to live in a big house, the conditions of the apartment do not suit her well, which can also affect the behavior of the animal;
• Some of them refer to the minuses as the cost of such a friend, since the minimum price for a puppy is about 25 thousand rubles, although fans are ready to lay out such amounts.

In the negative aspects should be mentioned about the diseases characteristic of this breed. Among them it is worth noting the following:

• joint dysplasia (often hip joints);
• progressive blindness and retinal atrophy;
• deafness is a congenital defect inherited from Dalmatians, most often manifested in puppies with white markings or whites at birth;
• reduced hearing acuity in one or both ears;
• malocclusion;
• reduction in the number of teeth (some teeth are simply missing or expressed in the form of buds, it is considered standard if the reduction in the number is no more than 3 teeth out of 42).

The manifestation of unwarranted aggressiveness and cowardice is considered a defect. By nature puppies possess optimal ratio of protective and other instincts, loyalty, loyalty. For his master and family, he is a great friend and working dog, a guard of farmer lands and animals or at home. Healers treat strangers and strangers with caution and distrust. This is expressed in relation to both people and animals.

However, Cattle Dogs are excellent in training and education. They are obedient and often positive, cheerful, love children and get along well with them. But before you leave them unsupervised with the babies, you need to make sure that you have taught the dog not to bite just like that. These dogs are perfect for active and athletic people.

Initially, Australian herding dogs were bred for life and work in open conditions. Therefore, closed small rooms and apartments are poorly suited for the life of healers, best of all - at home with the site. If the dog lives in an apartment, the owner should be prepared for the fact that negative traits of character will soon appear. The animal becomes overly aggressive or lethargic, the behavior becomes unstable and mood often jumps, may refuse to eat. As well as a cattle dog may seek to escape, while it is undesirable to use a chain and a closed enclosure.

Since wild dogs (for example, dingoes) left a large mark on the pedigree of this breed, you should avoid foods that were not included in the diet of their ancestors. This is due to the fact that genetically determined lack of enzymes for this food. The best is the presence of milk porridges and lean meat in the menu, while the latter should account for about 50%. The predominance of foods with easily digestible carbohydrates can lead to pancreatic disease or the development of malignant neoplasms of the digestive tract.

The list of prohibited products includes the following:

• spices and seasonings;
• pepper;
• bow;
• sugar;
• garlic;
• mushrooms;
• yeast;
• bread;
• flour products;
• potatoes;
• citruses;
• smoked
• ketchup;
• pork;
• Wheat groats.

If an Australian shepherd dog lives in a private house, then it needs to make a separate open box, while the chain is undesirable. If the animal lives in an apartment, the duration of walks is increased to 3-4 hours per day, while during the festivities the dog must run, jump, play actively - adequate physical activity is needed. Their lack leads to manifestations of aggressiveness and the emergence of excess weight, and hence an increase in the risk of disease. At least once a year you need to be examined by a veterinarian.

Representatives of this breed do not need a hairstyle. That is, it can be performed at the request of the owner or in individual cases. At normal times of the year, wool should be brushed 1–2 times a week with a thick bristle brush. During the molting procedure is carried out every day. It is necessary to bathe a dog in some cases as the wool is contaminated, while using a soft dog shampoo.

If necessary physical activity is observed, then there is no need for regular clipping of claws. They grind off on their own. Once a month it is recommended to cut a rudimentary claw.If the paws crack at the paws, they should be washed and lubricated with a healing cream. Once a week you need to conduct an eye examination and, if necessary, wash them with chamomile decoction. And also with this regularity you need to brush your teeth with special dog paste and a soft brush.

Need to remember that A dog is not a toy, but a living creature for which the owner is responsible, so you should think carefully before you get a pet.

In the next video you will find interesting facts about the breed Australian herding dog.