Page 3 - PCCI SEPT ISSUE spread REV - 12-10-19

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Australia
UTILIZATION: Cattle dog

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The general appearance is that of a strong, compact, symmetrically built
working dog, with the ability and willingness to carry out his allotted task
however arduous. Its combination of substance, power, balance and hard
muscular condition must convey the impression of great agility, strength,
and endurance. Any tendency to grossness or weediness is a serious fault.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY
The Australian Cattle Dog was developed to assist with establishing the
cattle industry in early Australian conditions. The principal requirement
was a strong, biting dog, possessing great stamina and capable of
mustering and moving wild cattle. Early imported breeds of
working dogs did not possess these requirements. The
first settlers had limited availability of labor,
this created problems in the control of
their herds of cattle and flocks of sheep.
Most properties were unfenced and the
scrub country had not been cleared.
To facilitate the efficient handling
of sheep and cattle, they set about
creating breeds of dogs to do this
work for them. A great deal of
research has been undertaken
to ascertain the origin of the
Australian Cattle Dog, but as
early breeders kept very little
recorded information, there is a
marked divergence of opinion as
to the breeds used to develop
the purebred dog we see today.
It is generally recognized
though, that it resulted from
the crossing of blue merle,
smooth-haired Collies with the
Dingo, with a later injection of
Dalmatian and black and tan
Kelpie blood. Other cross-
breeding was tried, such as
a Bull Terrier cross, but all
these other crosses proved
to be unsuccessful for the
working of cattle.

BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT
The Cattle Dog's loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian to the Stockman, his herd and
his property. Whilst naturally suspicious of strangers must be amenable to handling, particularly in the Show ring.
Any feature of temperament or structure foreign to a working dog must be regarded as a serious fault. As the name
applies the dog’s prime function, and one in which he has no peer, is the control and movement of cattle in both wide
open and confined areas. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous and trustworthy, with an implicit
devotion to duty making it an ideal working dog.

SOURCE: FCI BREED STANDARD / AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG Photo credits to
http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/AUSTRALIAN-CATTLE-DOG-287.html Monte Tonico Australian Cattle Dog
1 @montetonico