The Australian Cattle Dog is a smart, obedient and energetic pet. The breed was bred to work on the farm. It is unique, the best qualities of dogs that were used in selection intertwined in it. Loyalty and endurance make her an ideal companion and watchdog. But it is not suitable for everyone, with the wrong content it becomes aggressive and uncontrollable. Before starting a healer, you need to study the description of the breed, character traits, the pros and cons of the content, reviews of the owners.
- Breed characteristics
- Breed traits
- Description of the breed
- Pros
- Minuses
- Head
- Torso
- Limbs
- Wool and color
- Features of care
- Nutrition
- Health
Breed characteristics
Breed traits
The photo shows how the Australian Heeler looks like:
Description of the breed
Another name for the Australian Cattle Dog is Heeler. This word is translated from English as “heel”, “heel”. The breed was bred for grazing and protection of livestock. To collect the herd, the dogs bit the animals on the shins. This feature was reflected in the name of the breed.
Now these active and hardy shepherds are started as a companion. They can be watchmen and guards. They are smart, loyal, ready to fulfill any order of the owner. Due to the high speed of reaction and tirelessness, they can perform various tricks, participate in agility and other sportsitable for work in the police, rescue services. A sense of humor, the ability to cheer up a person and positive energy make these dogs suitable for canistherapy.
Parameters Characteristic title Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Heeler country of origin Australia birth time 19th century breed group shepherd and cattle dogs growth females 43-48 cm, males 46-51 cm weight females 12-18 kg, males 16-23 kg life expectancy 12-15 years old working qualities companion, guard, shepherd dog, lifeguard relation to man friendly with family members, suspicious and wary with strangers aggression without socialization manifests itself to strangers intelligence in the top ten smartest breeds training easy to give in, but prone to dominance content a lot of space is needed, large physical activity health Strong Pros
This bold energetic dog will become not only a faithful watchman and an assistant in the household. This is an ideal companion for active experienced dog breeders. Representatives of the breed have many advantages:
- High intelligence, quick wit;
- Are good to train, obedient;
- Strong, hardy;
- Pronounced watchtower;
- With timely socialization, non-aggressive;
- Wool almost does not require care;
- Have good health;
- Loyal, affectionate and friendly;
- Curious;
- Do not bite things;
- Cheerful, have a sense of humor, love to laugh people;
- Average sizes are suitable for maintenance in the apartment.
Minuses
These dogs are very active, they need at least 3 hours a day of active physical exertion, so they are not suitable for older people and homebody. Hilers are prone to dominance, only an experienced dog breeder will cope with training. It is not recommended to keep dogs of this breed to allergies and families with young children. The rest of their shortcomings are overcome by the correct education. Australian dogs have such disadvantages:
- Do not tolerate loneliness;
- Cannot be in a closed space;
- Do not tolerate passivity, suffer from boredom very much;
- Have a wayward character, stubborn;
- Unbalanced temperament;
- With other dogs are often aggressive;
- Suspicious of strangers;
- Bark a lot;
- They like to bite for the heels.
History of the origin of the breed Australian shepherd dog
The breed of Australian Hilery appeared in the 19th century. Selection was carried out in the new South Wales in Australia. The dogs brought from Europe were not adapted to severe weather conditions and could not cope with their duties. One cattle breeder – Thomas Hall began to cross Collles with Australian wild dogs Dingo. He called his dogs heils, bred them for himself.
After the death of the hall and the decline of his economy of dogs, other farmers sold out. Trying to improve the breed, they were crossed with Kelpi, Dalmatins, even bull terriers. The resulting breed was called Australian shepherd dog, at the beginning of the 20th century a standard was developed.
These dogs until the middle of the 20th century were known only in Australia. At first they ended up in America and Canada, in Europe appeared in the 80s. Then the breed was officially recognized by the IFF and was called the Blue Hilery or Kettle Dog. In USA, these dogs began to be diluted only at the beginning of the 21st century.
Breed standard
Australian shepherd’s dog has a compact physique. According to the standard, growth does not exceed 51 cm, the weight should be 16-20 kg. Hilers are harmoniously folded, energetic.
Head
The head is proportional to the body, conical shape. The skull between the ears is convex, the muzzle is slightly narrowed to the nose, not long. The lower jaw is well developed, the lips are thin, black, the jaws are powerful. The teeth are strong, even, the bite is scissor. The nose is large, black.
The ears of medium size, at the base are wide, narrow to the tips. Planted high, stand. When the dog is calm, the tips are directed to the sides. Eyes are dark brown, oval, smart, wary look.
Torso
The physique of a rectangular format. The neck is muscular, expands to the body. The chest is deep, curved ribs. The back is even, the lower back is wide. The tail of medium length continues the top line, planted low. Usually hangs, the tip is slightly raised. When the dog is excited, rises, but not higher than the back.
Limbs
The limbs are straight, parallel. The shoulder blades are wide, hopped, located slightly at an angle. The hips are muscular, hocking joints expressed. The paws are collected in a lump, the claws are very curved, strong. The dog runs freely, the movements are energetic, lungs.
Wool and color
The coat is hard, smooth, does not get wet and has good thermoregulation. Osteen hair of medium length, straight, undercoat thick. A longer wool on the collar, tail, behind on the legs. On the head, the front surface of the paws, the back, six fit tightly.
The color is bluish, evenly stroke. There should not be large spots. On the chest and head, the marks of red, white, blue or black color are acceptable.
Photos complement the description of the Australian chilers:
The nature and training of the Australian Blue Hilery
The character of the Blue Hilery is complex, unbalanced. Dogs can be stubborn, wayward. They are prone to dominance, capable of independent decision-making. They went to these qualities from wild ancestors. Heler will obey only the owner who was able to gain authority. He needs a clear hierarchy, as in a pack of predators. Only in this case he will become devoted and obedient. He will trust the owner and be happy to fulfill all his orders.
With the rest of the family members, these dogs are friendly, they will protect them. With young children up to 7-8 years old they get along poorly, as with other pets. With teenagers, Hileler finds a common language, protects them. But does not tolerate noise, attempt on its space and things. With strangers, he behaves suspiciously, wary, sometimes aggressive.
7 Reasons you SHOULD NOT get a Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog)
With proper education, helers grow calm, obedient. They are bold, decisive, active, but with the owner affectionate, unobtrusive and easily controlled. They can’t sit in place calmly, very curious. Everywhere they follow the owner, participate in all matters.
From an early age, the puppy must be socialized: introduce people, other dogs, street noise. This will help to avoid aggression. In communication with a pet, you need to immediately set the boundaries: what is possible, and what is impossible. None of the family members should deviate from these prohibitions and rules.
It is easy to train a chilee, since the breed is one of the smartest. In addition, this dog is inquisitive, active and seeks to please the owner. But it will be engaged in while he is interested. Due to independence, it may not fulfill the command if it considers it unnecessary. To make him do something if he does not want to-it is impossible.
During training, you need to show hardness, perseverance, sequence and patience. Classes are best done in the form of a game. Violence is excluded, nothing can be achieved by rudeness, the dog will only become embittered and cease to trust the owner. Effective encouragement, Hilers are very fond of praise. Punishment can only be words. It is necessary to strictly say “impossible” or not, ”you can firmly, but not roughly push the puppy.
Photos illustrate the behavior of Australian Hilers:
The content of dogs of the Australian shepherd
Hilers are very mobile, they haunt. Therefore, you can’t keep them in an aviary or on a chain, they need a scope. When keeping in the apartment, it takes at least 3 hours to walk the pet. And the rest of the time, deal with him, give tasks. But it is not worth starting this breed in the city – Hilers feel good only on a large section of a private house.
This active curious dog on the street can run away, chasing a cat or bird. With other dogs, they often enter into a fight. Therefore, it is recommended to walk on a leash. Hilery needs active games, you need to run with it, you can train tricks, take a bicycle walk. This is an ideal dog for tourism, long campaigns.
Features of care
Heelers are unpretentious dogs. Quietly live on the street in any climate. Wool has the ability to self-clean. Shedding 1-2 times a year, during this period it is necessary to comb the dog daily. The rest of the time they need such care:
- Once a week to clean the coat with a stiff brush;
- Clean eyes and ears as needed;
- Brush your teeth;
- If the claws do not wear down on the asphalt, they need to be shortened regularly;
- Bathe 2-3 times a year or when the dog gets dirty;
- After a walk, wash the paws, you can wipe the coat with a damp cloth.
Nutrition
Healers eat whatever they are given. Veterinarians advise natural nutrition. The breed was bred from predators, the main part of the diet (at least 60%) should be meat. You can give by-products. Additionally, the following foods should be present in the diet:
- Sea fish;
- Cottage cheese, kefir;
- Oatmeal, rice, buckwheat;
- Carrots, beets, zucchini and other non-starchy vegetables;
- Eggs;
- Greens;
- Vegetable oil.
You should not feed the healer with Kirkland dry dog food, they often cause allergies. You can not give food from your table, pastries, sweets. Legumes, mushrooms, sausages, smoked meats, onions, garlic are prohibited. On the recommendation of a veterinarian, you can add vitamin, fish oil to food. You need to feed your pet 2 times a day. The daily amount of food is not more than 5% of body weight. Clean water must be available at all times.
Health
From the wild dog dingo, healers got good health and strong immunity. But still they need to do all the necessary vaccinations, regularly give anthelmintic drugs. These dogs are long-lived, live up to 14-15 years. It is known that one representative of the breed lived up to 29 years.
But they have several common hereditary diseases:
- Congenital deafness;
- Hip dysplasia;
- Epilepsy;
- Retinal atrophy can lead to blindness.
How to buy an Australian Heeler puppy
A thoroughbred puppy of an Australian Cattle Dog can only be bought in a kennel. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the conditions of keeping dogs, the health and behavior of the mother. The breeder must provide all documents, a veterinary passport. Healer puppies are born white, specks appear by the age of one month. The coat should be thick, without bald spots.
It is recommended to choose an active, not cowardly and non-aggressive baby. He must be curious, playful. The structure of the body is harmonious, the eyes and ears are clean, without smell. Lips and nose are black, brown eyes. If the dog is chosen for yourself, you can not pay attention to breed signsch puppies cost 30-40 thousand. The price of promising individuals for exhibitions is 70-80 thousand.
The photo shows how the puppies of Hilery look like:
An interesting video about dogs of this breed will help to make a decision whether to start a puppy:
