Strengths
They are courageous, touch as nails and extremely
intelligent. Also protective of property and a devoted family dog.
They have great strength and endurance and are one of the
most "natural" breeds of domesticated dog, with very little incidence of the
common hereditary problems.
They make an ideal house-dog as they need very little
bathing and with regular grooming don't have the usual "doggy" smell that
other breeds suffer from.
They have the intelligence, agility and 'nose' to
successfully train for any of the obedience, agility and trailing hobbies.
They are the longest lived dog on record - "Bluey" died in
1939 at the ripe old age of 29 years and 5 months. He worked cattle
and sheep for 20 years before he retired.
Weaknesses
If not exercised enough, both mentally and physically, then
this spells TROUBLE!!!
They have been bred to bite for generations so don't be
surprised if you receive the odd nip in moments of excitement (or when your
children run).
Very territorial and can tend to be unsociable towards
strange dogs - doesn't care if it's three times its size!!
Can be stubborn and intractable if handled/trained wrongly.
They are not the ideal dog for the
first time dog owners. Needs someone who has had previous
experience and knowledge of dogs - and knows what they are letting
themselves in for!
Special Needs
They can live on the smell of an oily rag and will literally
eat anything. Whatever quantity a dog food manufacturer recommends for
this size of dog - half it!
They make a great mate and companion and their only desire
in life is to spend every minute of the day with their owner - do not make
good outside dogs with no interaction.
Desired Environment
Not suited to a sedentary city life on a small section, or
to being left at home for long periods, that is unless you don't mind coming
home to a house and it's contents in turmoil, or the garden looking like a
mine field.
Most suited to a working home. If not on a farm
working cattle, then one where it will be worked in other fields, such as
obedience, agility, trailing, etc.
Good with kids, but supervision a necessity while it's a
pup, as the working trait to nip at heels and bottoms when excited has to be
controlled and curbed.
More Breed Characteristics
Breed
Characteristics
Heath
Problems
KC Breed
Standard
General
Information
