General

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG

Country of origin: Australia

The breed is not very old. The Australian Cattle Dog, was created after the first half of the nineteenth century. An effective, robust and lively assistant was and still is necessary to herd the large herds that Australia still has.
By crossing the Collie with the Australian wild dog the Dingo they became a dog with excellent qualities. To improve these even farther they used the Dalmation and Bull Terrier and from this came the mixture which was the base for the modern cattle dog.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a powerful, stocky and very courageous dog with an exceptional endurance and much confidence.

Head: powerful with wide skull and a substantial snout, very little stop, well muscled cheeks, dry lips, black rhinarium.

Eyes: oval, darkbrown eyes of average size, with a suspicious look, which is characteristic

Ears: rather small, wide at the base, straight, set wide and hanging forward

Teeth: carnassial teeth with powerful teeth

Neck: extremely muscled, average length and dry.

Body: the length in relation to the size is 10:9. Strong back, well curved ribs, wel developed hind ribs, wide lumbars, compact body.

Limbs: good angulation of the shoulder and upper arm, strong bones, round, parallel legs. Hindquarters wide, muscled and powerful. Long, wide thighs, good angulation of knee and hocks, strong and low hock, hindlegs parallel.

Feet: round, closed and well curved, with thick soles and short nails.

Tail: in fluent line with the back carrier a little lower, must reach the hock. When standing carried hanging, in movement higher, but not higher than the back. The tail must be brushy.

Gait: free, smooth and tireless with good drive.

Coat: rather short uppercoat, straight with short, thick undercoat.

Colour: bleu or redstained

Size: male 46-51 cm, female 43-48 cm.