History
Developed in Australia during the 19th century as a working or drover’s dog. Breed traits were selected to produce a dog with immense stamina, resilience and tenacity, which could deal with untamed cattle, rugged terrain and vast distances. Years of breeding to suit droving needs has produced this breed with superb working abilities.
Description
Strong compact, symmetrically built working dog, combination of substance, power, balance and hard muscular condition.
Grooming and Physical Needs
- Grooming Needs: Only occasional bathing & brushing required.
- Coat Type: Smooth, a double coat with a short dense undercoat. The outer-coat is close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting.
- Moulting: Moderate.
- Exercise Needs: Needs copious amounts of exercise to keep it in good physical and mental condition.
- Average Life Span: 14 years.
Behaviour
- Family: Good with children, not recommended for an inactive owner.
- Temperament: Loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian to the Stockman, his herd and his property; whilst naturally suspicious of strangers.
- Trainability: Intelligent and eager to work and learn, making them very easy to train.
- Sociability (Other Pets): Live happily with other pets provided they are trained and socialised from an early age.
- Barking: Low Tendency.
Talents
Extremely courageous and hard-working, used for cattle-herding, as a companion and seen in the show-ring.
Notes
Largely free from genetic conditions and has a low susceptibility to disease.