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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+8
Dogs
# The Australian Cattle Dog: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Australia
A robust, loyal, vigilant and tireless Australian working dog.
Size MediumLife expectancy 10–13 yearsBudget ≈ €97/monthPuppy €900 – €1,100
[Find a breeder 12](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=australian-cattle-dog)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Fair
First-time owners Limited
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Very good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Remarkable endurance: He readily accompanies an athletic owner during long and varied activities.
- Great learning ability: His intelligence and taste for work encourage a rich and stimulating education.
- Loyalty and vigilance: Very attached to his home, he is attentive and naturally protective.
- Simple maintenance: His short, resilient coat mainly requires regular brushing.
- Very high activity needs: Lack of exercise and stimulation can cause boredom and troublesome behaviors.
- Wary of strangers: Early and ongoing socialization is necessary to channel its vigilance.
- Strong herding instinct: It may try to control movements and nip at heels without appropriate training.
- Assertive temperament: Its firmness and independence can overwhelm an inexperienced owner.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Sporty masters: He thrives with people able to share sustained physical activities every day.
- Dog sports enthusiasts: His intelligence and energy are suited to agility, tracking and obedience.
- Experienced households: Consistent training and rigorous socialization fully bring out his qualities.
- Rural life or fenced house: Space makes his daily life easier when real outings are still planned.
Not recommended for
- Sedentary people: Its need for daily exercise is incompatible with an inactive lifestyle.
- Owners often absent: Boredom and lack of interaction can encourage destructive or controlling behaviors.
- Inexperienced owners with little support: Its energy, independence, and vigilance require a solid educational foundation.
- Apartment living without activities: A small space without long outings or stimulation does not meet its needs.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
47 cmAustralian Cattle Dog
- Height at the withers
- 43–51 cm
- Weight
- 20–30 kg
- Coat
- Short, smooth, dense and waterproof
- FCI group
- 1
- Origin
- Australia
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the Australian Cattle Dog in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Australian Cattle Dog was developed to drive cattle across the immense Australian territories, under conditions requiring endurance, courage and autonomy. Its creation most probably results from crosses between the dingo, several British Collies imported into Oceania, then contributions from the Dalmatian and the black and tan Kelpie. Selection gradually established a compact, intelligent, hardy dog, with the bite necessary for work on cattle. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes the breed under number 287, in group 1. The standard currently in force was established in October 2012.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Of medium size, the Australian Cattle Dog has a compact, powerful and harmonious build. Its back is strong and level, its loin broad and muscular, its chest well let down and its croup long and sloping. The head, solid and well proportioned, carries erect ears, well set apart and very responsive. The oval, dark brown eyes express liveliness and intelligence. The topcoat is short, straight, harsh and lying flat over a dense undercoat, which makes the coat weather-resistant. The accepted colours are blue speckled or mottled and red speckled. The tail, set moderately low, reaches the hock and remains slightly curved at rest.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Attentive, courageous and reliable, the Australian Cattle Dog has a strong protective instinct and great loyalty to its home. Docile with its owner, it remains naturally reserved and vigilant with strangers. Its intelligence, liveliness and taste for work make it a versatile partner for herding, guarding, dog sports and active family life. It can be gentle and playful with children, provided that interactions are respectful and supervised. Early socialization is important to channel its wariness and promote good relationships with other dogs.
Playful Intelligent Easy to train Protective
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This active and hardy dog does not tolerate idleness well. Every day, it needs long outings, sustained physical activities and mental challenges, such as tracking, obedience, agility or search games. A house with a well-fenced yard suits it better than an apartment, but a garden never replaces walks or the work shared with its owner. It can accompany a sporty adult on hikes, jogs or suitable bike rides. Its herding instinct can result in a tendency to control movements or to nip at heels, a behavior to be prevented through training.
Training
## Training and socialization
Training must start early, with consistent rules, great consistency and positive methods. The Australian Cattle Dog learns quickly and works willingly, but its independence and assertive temperament require an experienced, calm and fair owner. Short, varied and stimulating exercises maintain its motivation. Socialization with people, dogs, other animals and different environments must be continued from the youngest age. Recall, leash walking, giving up and control of the herding instinct are among the priority learnings. Any brutal confrontation must be avoided.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Australian Cattle Dog
The purchase price depends on the pedigree, the quality of health screenings, the reputation of the breeding kennel, the puppy’s intended purpose and compliance with the standard. Beyond the initial price, the budget must include the feeding of a sporting dog, preventive care, training, possible insurance and activity equipment.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-cattle-dog/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Australian Cattle Dog benefits from an overall robust constitution and good resistance to climatic conditions. The breed nevertheless shows hereditary predispositions that justify rigorous selection and regular veterinary monitoring, notably for hearing, the eyes and the joints.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-cattle-dog/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The diet must cover the high needs of an active dog while maintaining a lean and muscular silhouette. The ration varies greatly depending on the level of exercise, the season, the age and the individual size. A veterinarian can help adjust it for a working dog, a growing puppy or a neutered subject.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-cattle-dog/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The Australian Cattle Dog is also known under the names Australian Drover and Australian Cattle Dog. Blue-coated dogs are often nicknamed Blue Heelers, while red ones are called Red Heelers, in reference to their traditional way of heeling cattle to make them move forward. Its selection for work over long distances explains its exceptional endurance and its ability to stay focused in difficult environments.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Australian Cattle Dog
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Australian Cattle Dog live in an apartment?
Apartment living is possible only with a very available and athletic owner, capable of providing long outings and mental activities every day. A house with a fenced yard suits him better, but the garden does not replace shared exercise.
### Is the Australian Cattle Dog suitable as a first dog?
It is generally not recommended for novice owners because of its energy, intelligence, independence, and protective instinct. An experienced, consistent, and active owner will more easily meet its needs.
### Is the Australian Cattle Dog suitable for children?
It can be loyal, gentle, and playful with children when well socialized. Interactions should always be supervised, as its energy and herding instinct may lead it to control movements or nip at heels.
### How much exercise does it need?
It needs long daily outings, supplemented by games, obedience work, scent work, or a dog sport. A simple bathroom walk is not enough for its well-being.
## Find a Australian Cattle Dog breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Australian Cattle Dog breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
[Australian Cattle Dog breeders in Nouvelle-Aquitaine3](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/nouvelle-aquitaine)
### Australian Cattle Dog breeders by country
[52 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Germany](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/germany) [23 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Italy](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/italy) [12 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog) [11 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Austria](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/austria) [3 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Denmark](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/denmark) [2 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Croatia](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/croatia) [2 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Spain](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/spain) [2 breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in Switzerland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/switzerland) [1 breeder of Australian Cattle Dog in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/finland) [1 breeder of Australian Cattle Dog in the Netherlands](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog/netherlands)
[All breeders of Australian Cattle Dog in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog)
## Ready to welcome a Australian Cattle Dog?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-australian-cattle-dog)
## Discover other breeds
[Australian Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/australian-shepherd)
[Kelpie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/kelpie)
[Bearded Collie
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/bearded-collie)
[Miniature American Shepherd
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/miniature-american-shepherd)
[Belgian Malinois
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/belgian-malinois)
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