details of the dogs’ needs are given high importance in the breed standard. If placed inappropriately in homes where they will not be given jobs to do, the dogs will likely end up being shifted from home to home because they develop undesirable behavior problems. Sometimes these problems become so severe that the dogs are turned over to animal shelters and cannot be rehomed.
WHAT’S THAT “SOUND”?
Did you know that the word “soundness” used in describing a breed of dog refers not only to the physical makeup of that breed but also to a sound temperament, thus making the dog’s personality characteristics predictable.
Who, then, makes an ideal AuCaDo owner? Obviously, it’s a person who has the time and need for a working dog. Since the dog is an active one, a large property such as a farm or ranch makes for a perfect home where the dog can perform daily tasks to help his master around the property. Again, it must be emphasized that Australian Cattle Dogs do not make good house pets that will “hang out” around the home and do nothing most of the time. They need to have a meaningful purpose in life to be well-adjusted companions. If his requirements are met, the AuCaDo will make a lifelong friend, devoted to his master and family.
Living on a farm is not a prerequisite to AuCaDo ownership, but the ideal owner will provide outlets for her dog’s energy. Training for and participating in various areas of the dog sport are great ways to keep the breed mentally and physically challenged.
Physically, the Australian Cattle Dog must be first and foremost a sound dog. He is a compact, muscular dog with great strength. Correct physical structure allows the dog to be supple, quick, athletic and capable of tireless effort for prolonged durations. In short, the AuCaDo is an athlete in the truest sense of the word. Without these attributes, he will not be able to perform his job, thus making him useless as a working companion. And let it be understood that a good, well-trained Australian Cattle Dog can often do the work of several ranch hands without even breaking a sweat.
I recall the time I spent on a large property in Tasmania, Australia. One day, I was watching an AuCaDo working with some cattle, when a cantankerous bull kicked him in the side and sent the dog flying many feet away. When he hit the ground, the dog rolled over, stood up, shook his head and came back with a vengeance to bite the hock of the bull. As his teeth made contact with the bovine’s hind leg, the nolonger-stubborn bull turned and jogged away just as the dog had originally indicated for him to do. Suddenly that 1500-pound bull became a docile critter at the mercy of a determined dog!
Once you witness an Australian Cattle Dog at work, you gain a surprising respect for the breed. It’s amazing to witness such an intelligent animal, doing what he’s bred to do and doing it so well. It’s then that you realize that this dog would be absolutely miserable in any other type of lifestyle. He needs to do what he loves most to do—work.
The Australian Cattle Dog loves children and the feeling is mutual; but, at the same time, the breed is strong-willed and may attempt to herd toddlers.
HEART HEALTHY
The Australian Medical Journal in 1992 found that having pets is hearthealthy. Pet owners had lower blood pressure and lower levels of triglycerides than those who didn’t have pets. It has also been found that senior citizens who own pets are more active and less likely to experience depression than those without pets.
Owner Mary Ann Mullen, who lives in Virginia, loves to tell people about her Australian Cattle Dog, Cassie. The dog’s registered American Kennel Club name is R-Bar’s Roshara Mama Cass, UDX, NA, HIC. She has earned the coveted Utility Dog Excellent title in obedience competition, plus a Novice Agility title, and she’s Herding Instinct Certified. At six years of age, Cassie keeps busy despite the fact that Ms. Mullen does not live on a large property. Cassie does not herd livestock, but her many other activities replace the usual farm work and provide that necessary feeling of fulfillment.
“Cattle Dogs have extremely strong chase instincts and movement of any kind serves as a trigger,” says Ms. Mullen. “As much as they love children and will guard them as their own, I don’t recommend getting an Australian Cattle Dog for a family with little children. The dogs frequently nip at the flying feet of the children in an attempt to herd the kids and keep them all together. Older children do well with the dogs and strong bonds of affection, minus the nipping, develop easily.”
Ms. Mullen contributes another important recommendation: “Australian Cattle Dogs are not for the first-time dog owner. They must be trained in basic manners and control and an experienced dog owner is better equipped to accomplish this. The dogs can be stubborn and need firm guidance from an owner who realizes they are not little people in fur coats.”
Cattle Dogs are not for everyone. They’re stoic and need to be understood and respected by owners who have some knowledge of basic dog behavior. Once you understand them, you’ll admire their serious nature and devotion to home and family. In the correct environment, Australian Cattle Dogs make superb companions for life.
PHYSICAL PROBLEMS OF CONCERN
As with most breeds of dogs, there are some hereditary and congenital problems that have been seen in AuCaDos. For example, deafness is occasionally identified in the breed. This condition is probably caused by the Dalmatian genes and is often identified when the dogs are puppies.
Even the most stoic Australian Cattle Dog appreciates a cuddle with the owner he loves.
Some dogs are deaf in both ears, some in only one. Puppy ear canals do not open until the puppies are around two weeks of age, so evaluating them should not be done until the puppies are five to eight weeks of age. BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) testing is an electrodiagnostic test that can be performed on puppies younger than this age, but limited availability of testing sites make this prohibitive in many cases.
In the case of total deafness, there is a poor probability that the dog will enjoy a full and rewarding life. Most breeders will euthanize puppies that are totally deaf. Partial deafness, however, does not tend to be as devastating to the dog once he reaches maturity since the dog learns to compensate for his disability.
Hip dysplasia (HD) is another area of concern. In this condition, the hip joint is misaligned so that the ball of the thigh bone does not sit correctly into the socket of the hip. Each time the joint is moved, bone rubs on bone, creating a painful and debilitating condition. In some severe cases, surgery can alleviate the dog’s discomfort, but it cannot create a new joint.
Frequently seen in many dog breeds, HD must be identified via radiographic diagnosis by a veterinary expert. Sending the resulting film to an evaluating organization will result in getting the dog’s hips graded and his grades registered with that organization. The OFA, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, certifies various levels of HD and allots a grade of involvement to each case. There are other certifying organizations for HD in other countries. Since HD is hereditary, dogs with HD should not be bred, as the puppies will probably carry the
