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Additional information (Wiki):
The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as
the Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler and
Red Heeler is a breed of herding dog
developed in Australia for droving
cattle. It is a medium-sized
short-coated dog with a lot of energy,
intelligence and an independent streak.
Like many working dogs, Cattle Dogs have
high energy levels and active minds.
They need plenty of exercise and a job
to do, so non-working dogs need to
participate in dog sports, learning
tricks, or other activities that engage
their body and mind. Some individuals
find repetitive training frustrating and
dull, so owners should aim to make
training sessions varied and more
exciting in order to keep their dog
interested. Cattle Dogs who do not
receive the appropriate exercise and
entertainment will invent their own,
often destructive, activities. These
dogs are, by nature, wary. They are
naturally cautious, and grow more so as
they age. Their cautious nature towards
strangers makes them perfect guard dogs,
when trained for this task.
The Australian Cattle Dog ranks 10th in
Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs,
being one of the brightest dogs ranked
by obedience command trainability.
Cattle Dogs drive cattle by nipping at
their heels or tails, but they have also
been known to round up other animals.
To relieve the urge to nip, the
Australian Cattle Dog can be encouraged
to pick up and chew a toy or stick that
is thrown for them. Any toy left with
the Australian Cattle Dog needs to be
extremely robust if it is to last.
The Australian Cattle Dog enjoys living
with other dogs with whom it is
familiar, working well in combination
with other Cattle Dogs, Australian
Kelpies, and Border Collies. Because of
their plucky nature, the establishing of
a pecking order can result in a few
scuffles and bites.
It is important for an owner to quickly
establish a hierarchy in which they are
the dog's pack leader, otherwise the
young Australian Cattle Dog may bond to
a senior dog, rather than to its owner.
If put in any situation where the dog
feels threatened, and/or uncomfortable,
it will usually resort to aggressiveness
towards other, unknown dogs. |
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