05 May 2008

The Australian Cattle Dog

from an article - author to be found soon

Idiosyncrasies

Cattle dogs are different, intelligent, devoted to their owners, highly protective and extremely agile.  A half way decent one can jump in any direction (including backwards) from a standstill and turn in midair.  A wicked sense of humour and ability to look innocent when caught red-handed; possessors of a delightfully devilish grin; they are born stirrers.  Not the pet for those who want a quiet life, they have a distinctive sense of humour which makes them ideal for those who like a dog with character.

Like the Christchurch dog who was systematically pulling the boards of a seven-foot high fence by jumping for the top, grasping it in his mouth and using his body weight to loosen the plank.  And all because the neighbours had put their rabbit pen just the other side.

Or Johnny who was trotting across the catwalk at agility training when he began to watch the tennis players through the fence and lost his footing.  He hit the ground, looked about in surprise, then leapt straight up in the air, landing back on the catwalk and nonchalantly carried on.

Then there was the five month old pup, trotting through the house, that suddenly left the floor, landed on the kitchen table, then instantly off again, with a cake in it's mouth.

Or the bitch that casually walked along a three-inch wide veranda rail, found at the end that she couldn't turn round, so simply went into reverse gear back to where she started from.

And we must remember Smokey who would move household items, including a small woven coffee table, outside.  He was found one day on the lawn stretched out on the back porch mat; his front legs resting on a cushion, the telephone book alongside and eating a pottle of margarine.  He had taken every item outside unaided...an certainly without any encouragement.

Tammy was owned by a port worker who was often called out at odd hours. As he left Tammy would come from her usual sleeping spot in the lounge and settle down between the master bedroom and his daughters room.  When Colin returned she would leave her self-appointed sentry spot and return to the lounge.

More Breed Characteristics

Personality Traits

Heath Problems

KC Breed Standard

General Information