GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 43-51cm (17”-20”).
Colour: Blue mottling, speckling or tan permitted. Red speckle with or without red markings.
Coat: Straight hard dense outercoat with a thick undercoat. Length about 2.5 - 4cm.
Gait: Tireless, strong and free with feet converging under centre of gravity when trotting.
A rugged powerful dog capable of long periods of arduous work. The broad skull has pricked ears and the strong body must be slightly longer than the shoulder height of the dog. Strongly muscled legs with moderate hind angulation are required. The tail of the Cattle dog is set on low and has a good brush - it may be raised in action but never carried over the back.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
The characteristic hallmark of this breed is courage, trustworthiness and devotion as guardians of their family, their herds and their property. At times they may display suspicion with strangers, therefore from an early age their training must include socialisation with people outside their immediate circle. With sensible training they soon learn to accept friends of their family. Only occasional bathing and brushing is required.
HISTORY
In the early days of Australian settlement, controlling herds of cattle and sheep was of fundamental importance. It was found that the early longer coated bobtails were unable to withstand excessive heat, and had a habit of barking which resulted in undomesticated cattle stampeding. During the 1830s, selective breeding took place which resulted in the Blue Heelers, who barked less and later crosses were made to smooth collies for herding abilities and to the silent Dingo to curb excessive barking. Thus through selective breeding the ideal dog was created. These dogs were now amenable to instruction combined with the dingo characteristics of creeping up and nipping the heels of cattle. Later by adding some Dalmatian blood, their affinity to horses was firmly established.