The ACD, or Cattle Dog, or Australian Cattle Dog is a native of Australia, and is known for herding cattle successfully. Its instincts for herding and guarding are very strong as it possesses excellent stamina. It is also known by various names—Blue Heeler, Hall’s Heeler, Queensland Heeler, and Australian Heeler.
With a height of 17 to 20 inches and weight of 30 to 62 pounds (the females are little smaller in height) the length of an Australian Cattle Dog’s body is longer and not taller. The broad head is curved between the ears, which are moderate-sized, wide set, and pricked in an alert posture. The eyes are oval, mediumsized, and dark brown. The nose is black. The tail hangs in a slight curve—it is held moderately low. Extending to the feet that are round and have short toes, the front legs are round bone, straight and strong. Its double coat (the undercoat is dense but short) that comes in blue, blue-mottled, blue speckled, or red speckled, is smooth. It is weather-resistant and short-haired. Only when necessary, give a bath; otherwise, use firm bristle brush to comb the coat. Not a heavy shedder, but sheds once or twice yearly.
Strongly determined to complete any work given, the Australian Cattle Dog is tireless, hardworking, loyal, robust, courageous, well-muscled, powerful and agile. It is one of the most intelligent breeds found today. It hates to laze around and feels unhappy when you have no work for it to do. In general home environment, it is not suited as it is very intense and energetic. Lots of mental and physical exercises on a daily basis are required for this dog to stay agile and alert. It is an excellent jogging companion one can have but never allow it to go ahead of you. Also, it should be taken out for long walks and runs. Simply playing a few minutes with a ball or a toy will not do. The owner also needs to work hard with it.If given a chance to get bored, it will end up in serious behavioral issues like destructiveness, which obviously any owner can do without. Passive owners would not do—the owner should be a leader to handle this breed that is very dominant and extremely aggressive. Then only this dog can be tamed as a pet. Obedience and excellent behavioral training should be imparted from its very early puppy stage. If this dog has good training, then the children can be allowed to go near it.You must be quite careful with its diet, and meal can be served twice a day.
The lifespan of an Australian Cattle Dog is 12 to 15 years. During its lifetime, it can be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, progressive rod/cone degeneration that leads to blindness, hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, arthritis, and infertility and false pregnancy. The most common health conditions associated with this breed are lameness, cruciate ligament tears and fractures. It may also suffer from a rare condition—hereditary polioencephalomyelopathy due to biochemical defects inherited.