Australian Cattle Dog or Blue Heeler
Breed description - see AKC for detailed standard
In a search for a perfect working cattle dog, a mixture of the blue merle collie, wild Dingo, Kelpie and Dalmatian produced the Queensland Heeler, what is now known as the Australian Cattle dog.
This medium sized, sturdy, compact dog is will to carry out any task, no matter how difficult. It even has a weather resistant coat. This is a working dog- watchful, alert, courageous, devoted and trustworthy.
Loyal protector of his owner, herd and property - he is very suspicious of strangers.
This is one of the few breeds that are independent thinkers so it really does need a job and something to do with its time. The Cattle dog is a working dog.
Average life span 13 years
Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problemsCataract with microphthalmia
Deafness
Epilepsy
Factor VIII deficiency or hemophilia A
Factor XI deficiency: a rare clotting disorder of several dog breeds. Protracted bleeding from surgical procedures is a feature. Affects both sexes.
Hemophilia B
Hip dysplasia
Hypothyroidism:
Inguinal hernia
Juvenile amaurotic idiocy
Lens luxation:
Lysosomal ‘storage' diseases: a group of progressive multifocal neurologic disorders
Missing teeth
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
Osteochondritis dissecans
Overshot jaw, undershot jaw
Phosphofructokinase deficiency
Progressive retinal atrophy:
Retinal dysplasia
Umbilical hernia
Other disorders which have an increased incidence in this breed
These disorders occur less commonly or are less devastating than those mentioned above.
Deafness (merle coated)
For more information about this breed
Dogs Downunder- All About Australian Dogs
American Kennel Club - Australian cattle dogs
This page was last edited 04/29/08
