Hey guys, I'm really thinking about getting an Australian Cattle Dog when one of my current dogs passes away. He's about 12 or 13 years old and is in bad shape, so I'm not being a jerk or anything. If you havn't seen an Australian Cattle Dog before, click here. Has anyone had experience with these dogs or any comments about them?
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Australian Cattle Dogs
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Celtic Camel
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They are great dogs... Just be aware that as a breed they do tend to be a little inclined to "nip" as this is a characteristic they were bred for, as a working dog.
Because they are working dogs, they need a big yard, lots of running space and exercise...
Another few tips (that goes with buying any dog) check out the breeders and make sure you see the parents of any pup you intend to buy...
Anyway, hope this helps a little...but ACD's are awesome dogs...
Out of interest, are you looking at a blue or red? Stumpy or tailed?
Not that it makes much difference
just me being inquisitive!
Love & prayers as you do your research and hugs to your aging companion!
Lisa
Because they are working dogs, they need a big yard, lots of running space and exercise...
Another few tips (that goes with buying any dog) check out the breeders and make sure you see the parents of any pup you intend to buy...
Anyway, hope this helps a little...but ACD's are awesome dogs...
Out of interest, are you looking at a blue or red? Stumpy or tailed?
Not that it makes much difference
just me being inquisitive!Love & prayers as you do your research and hugs to your aging companion!
Lisa
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hmm... tailed. I havn't really thought about whether or not I want red or blue yet, really. probably red. yeah, I heard they need tons of exercise. that's good for me. and we have a pretty big yard.Celtic Camel said:They are great dogs... Just be aware that as a breed they do tend to be a little inclined to "nip" as this is a characteristic they were bred for, as a working dog.
Because they are working dogs, they need a big yard, lots of running space and exercise...
Another few tips (that goes with buying any dog) check out the breeders and make sure you see the parents of any pup you intend to buy...
Anyway, hope this helps a little...but ACD's are awesome dogs...
Out of interest, are you looking at a blue or red? Stumpy or tailed?
Not that it makes much difference
Love & prayers as you do your research and hugs to your aging companion!
Lisa
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Celtic Camel
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Stumpy's are not docked...just so you know, it's a genetic thing...
I like stumpies, but tails give a dog so much expression it would be hard to chose between them if I had to...
I like stumpies, but tails give a dog so much expression it would be hard to chose between them if I had to...
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snoochface
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I don't know for sure, but I think these are also called Australian Shepherds? If so, after I lost my 15-year old retriever mix last year, we adopted a stumpy Australian Shepherd that we had only for a few days (it was too soon after I lost my dog and I couldn't handle the emotions, so we gave her back to the rescue group and she was adopted in a couple of days by a great family with kids).
Anyway... this was the smartest puppy I've ever seen. She was 7 weeks old when we got her, and at first she didn't want to walk over the threshold to go outside and had trouble walking on a leash. After the first day, she was going in and out like a champ and didn't nip at the leash anymore. After the first night, she didn't mess in her kennel anymore, and she went in and out of it with no argument. After the second day, she knew what "inside" and "outside" and "no" meant. By the time we gave her back, she was answering to her name, coming when called, and she had zero accidents in the house (of course we were taking her outside every couple of hours, but still... she was 7 weeks old!)
We were told that these dogs need to have a "job" to do and they excel in two-dog households. The "job" can be running around a big backyard or gnawing on a rawhide. If there is another dog or cat, they will attempt to shepherd it around, which from the stories I've heard can be really funny
Anyway... this was the smartest puppy I've ever seen. She was 7 weeks old when we got her, and at first she didn't want to walk over the threshold to go outside and had trouble walking on a leash. After the first day, she was going in and out like a champ and didn't nip at the leash anymore. After the first night, she didn't mess in her kennel anymore, and she went in and out of it with no argument. After the second day, she knew what "inside" and "outside" and "no" meant. By the time we gave her back, she was answering to her name, coming when called, and she had zero accidents in the house (of course we were taking her outside every couple of hours, but still... she was 7 weeks old!)
We were told that these dogs need to have a "job" to do and they excel in two-dog households. The "job" can be running around a big backyard or gnawing on a rawhide. If there is another dog or cat, they will attempt to shepherd it around, which from the stories I've heard can be really funny
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yeah, so when I said that my one dog was gonna go soon, I didn't expect that to be now. yeah, we just had him put to sleep.
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Would have to disagree here. Stumpy tails are excised when the puppy is a few weeks old. ACDs were meant to have tails. They act as a 'balance' when herding or working. I have two ACDs. A blue female and a red male. They are bred to have alot of energy and are always looking for something to do (which can get them in a little trouble at times). They are a medium sized dog (my female is 30lbs. and my male 35lbs.). Overall they are a great breed of dog. They are loyal, and may even get agressive if they perceive you or your family are in danger. As mentioned earlier, they do tend to nip when they get excited. All things considered, I would highly recommend an ACD, they are a very intelligent breed, but more importantly they make a great addition to your family.Celtic Camel said:
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Australian Shepherds are a different breed than Australian Cattle Dogs. The AS does indeed have a genetically stubby tail when born. The ACD does not.
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snoochface
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I'm so so so sorry to hear you had to put your dog down. I know what you must be feeling - we had to put our 15 year old dog down last year and it broke my heart. If you want to talk or anything, PM me. Really sorry he went so soon
I know what you must be feeling - we had to put our 15 year old dog down last year and it broke my heart. If you want to talk or anything, PM me. Really sorry he went so soon
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snoochface
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Celtic Camel
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DMBfan, I am so sorry for your loss... I know that dogs are so much part of the family and are great friends...don't be afraid to take the time to mourn MacGyver's passing over the Rainbow Bridge...Take your time in considering a future doggy companion - so that you can cherish the memories, and enjoy making new ones! You will be in my prayers. 
LifeToTheFullest, I know that some stumpys (and some Aussies for that matter are docked) but there are breeding lines of both that are natural stumpys...in Australia at least... I have been at the birth of a litter of naturally stumpy cattle dogs... both mum and dad were natural stumpy's too...I'm not going to argue about it, but this is the truth.
Take care all, and hugs to all the furry friends out there too.
Love & prayers,
Lisa
LifeToTheFullest, I know that some stumpys (and some Aussies for that matter are docked) but there are breeding lines of both that are natural stumpys...in Australia at least... I have been at the birth of a litter of naturally stumpy cattle dogs... both mum and dad were natural stumpy's too...I'm not going to argue about it, but this is the truth.
Take care all, and hugs to all the furry friends out there too.
Love & prayers,
Lisa
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So sorry to read of your loss. We raise these dogs and have had many litters of puppies. They are also known as Australian Blue Heelers and Australian Red Heelers. They are a very protective dog and prone to go for people's feet and heels. While they are loyal to their entire people family, they do tend to choose one person in particular. My son bought our female but she BELONGS (according to her) to my daughter. We got our male almost 13 years ago and he has been the best dog we have ever had. He will not lay down and sleep at night until he knows where everyone in the house is sleeping. If it thunders and there is lightning he will sleep for a little while in each person's room. When the kids go swimming he stays beside the pond. When one of our girls mows the lawn he walks beside the mower the whole time. He will never let them burn papers alone (he was in our barn when it caught fire due to lightning). If they go for a walk, he goes with them. In a bizarre coincidence, I was driving my bus one day and had to pick up my boss' wife. Their dog came out to the bus with her. I thought it was Smokey (our male) when I first looked at him. I asked where they had gotten the dog and she told me that they had gotten him from some guy in my hometown. I asked if she remembered the name and while she did not, she did remember where the farm was. Turns out it was my brother in law's farm- the same place we got Smokey. When she told me how old her dog was I realized that he and Smokey were brothers from the very same litter. Sadly, they recently had to have their dog put down because of severe arthritis in his hip. The boss says that his wife would like to get another one after a while. Since we usually end up giving away some of our puppies, I'm hoping they will take one from the next litter.
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mythrainbow
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snoochface said:
Just to clarify Australian Shepherds are a different breed entirely.
Australian Cattle Dogs are also known as Blue Heelers, Red Heelers, or Queensland Heelers.
Australian Shepherds are also known as Aussies and uh.....
Ok I don't know any other names for them.
But I agree both are wonderful dogs. Both are physically built very differently and also characteristics are different, aussies tend to be very pack oriented, ACDs can be more independent so to speak. Also ACDs tend to be more "intense" I guess I don't know how to explain it much, but I think it comes from the fact that cattle dogs needed more intensity to deal with 1000lbs or more animals. Not to say aussies cant be intense just my experience that ACD have more of it.
Oh one more thing.....
I LOVE HERDING DOGS!!!!!!
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