Cattle Dogs (Queensland) Changing?

[queenchick16]

Good morning; I live on Long Island NY had my cattle dog shipped from Fl. I just had to put her down this past summer after 11+ years.She was the best dog I ever owned.I tell my husband we had a connection mentally. Could not get her to stop working if I wanted to. She would even herd anyone that ever came to my house. Miss her more than anything

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Just wanted to add some pics of my cattle dog Dalton. I am definitely a fan of leaner cattle dogs. Ours has been great around the farm, and still chases a cow or two off the property every now and then when the neighbor's cows get loose. He's going to be 11 this year and we can definitely see his age showing through. He has chronic bronchitis now as well, so this summer he will be inside with limited outside time. Usually, during the summer he would be outside most of the time and made his home in the garage during the night and while we were away from the house.

ACDs are definitely smarter than your average dog. Ours knows his home boundaries and we rarely have to use a leash. He's not fond of strangers or children, but we just take extra care when we have company.



Looking out at the horses...




Waiting for us to catch up on the trail.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Vcomb: I love the look of border collie/heeler crosses. Does anyone know if that is what Skidboot was? (and thanks for the video link Skye)

IamSamSam: Really neat hearing from people in Australia about this breed. I am confused on the Hall. I thought the Hall heeler was split into stumpy tails and Queenslands. Is this incorrect? Thanks for sharing your photos and sweet dog!

Queen: That is heartbreaking. I am so, so sorry for your loss. So glad you got to share years together though. I tear up just thinking about how old our girl is getting.

Chickerdoodle: Wow! Dalton is a cutie! Did you get him from a breeder/source I could contact about pups by chance? It's funny you mention how they seem to understand boundaries very well. I noticed that with ours...very different from some other breeds I've known. I know that, "hey guys, I'm looking back at you...why are you way back there?" trail look all too well. X)

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

Punk-a-doodle,

I wish I had a number for you! The people we got him from really weren't "breeders" per-say. They had cows and bred their dogs for working. They had a pair they used around the farm and sometimes they had pups, but I don't think any of it was really planned. The people brought a few of the pups to horse camp one year and we went to their house to check out the others. The pups had been born under the porch and thrown right into farm life! While they weren't breeders in the traditional sense, I would have gone back to them in a heart beat. The dogs were well taken care of, all had jobs, and they were built so well. Dalton turned out to look like his dad. We also haven't had any health problems with Dalton at all so far, except for his chronic bronchitis. He had a bout of accidental ivermectin poisoning last year and I think that had a lot to do with his bronchitis. After the poisoning, he recovered, but we definitely notice it aged him a lot.

The people we got him from have since moved away to the mid west, but I'm not sure where exactly. It's funny though because every now and then we see one of Dalton's brothers or sisters around town. Most people who have cattle dogs in our area had gotten them from the same people we did!

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Quote: That's actually what I'd prefer! I am finding that I prefer the hardiness and attributes of the ranch-raised working dogs. Darn about the number, but thanks for all the information.

That poisoning must have been so scary. Glad he recovered for the most part.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Understanding boundries is one of the things I appreciate the most about Phoenix. And like most of the things he learned he figured them out for himself.
My pastures don't run all the way to our property lines so it would be easy for him to get confused. But I think he learned by watching where I would allow the goats to go and where they were when I would chase them back.
We don't have much traffic down our dirt road and hardly ever see people walking or biking by. Last weekend Phoenix and my boxer were running and playing and my husband spotted a man walking past our house. Both dogs headed in the guys direction...mainly out of curiosity I think. Phoenix stopped and sat right at our front property line. The boxer went onto the road. Phoenix barked at Boomer and got him to chase him up into the yard and out of the road. My husband was impressed.
They call these dogs heelers...but Phoenix also knows how to get Boomer to follow him. I am always amazed by this guy.
Dalton is gorgeous! Sorry to hear about his bronchitis.

 

[IamSamSam]

Vcomb: I love the look of border collie/heeler crosses. Does anyone know if that is what Skidboot was? (and thanks for the video link Skye)

IamSamSam: Really neat hearing from people in Australia about this breed. I am confused on the Hall. I thought the Hall heeler was split into stumpy tails and Queenslands. Is this incorrect? Thanks for sharing your photos and sweet dog!

Queen: That is heartbreaking. I am so, so sorry for your loss. So glad you got to share years together though. I tear up just thinking about how old our girl is getting.

Chickerdoodle: Wow! Dalton is a cutie! Did you get him from a breeder/source I could contact about pups by chance? It's funny you mention how they seem to understand boundaries very well. I noticed that with ours...very different from some other breeds I've known. I know that, "hey guys, I'm looking back at you...why are you way back there?" trail look all too well. X)

Hi there.

thanks for the welcome ! And Im glad you enjoyed my pics of Sam. He is my kids and chickens guardian and friend....

There are kind of three differing dog strains of ACD's That the big ranching families breed different attributes into but the overall look is very similar. It was only recently that ACD's became a recognised breed. Before that they were considered mixed mongrels. this is one excert . . .. . . ."The first Australian Cattle Dogs were developed in their homeland of Australia around the mid 1800's. Having a need to move and control range cattle throughout the rugged terrain and harsh climates of Australia, the settlers needed a dog with great stamina, strength, and intelligence. Through many generations of crossbreeding, it was the combination of the Blue Merle Smooth-Coated Collie, Dingo, Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier that resulted in today's Australian Cattle Dog (ACD). ACD's are also known as Blue Heelers, Queensland Heelers, and Red Heelers and there is no distinction between the different names."

And for any one else interested http://www.wolfweb.com.au/acd/acd.html has a great write up on Halls and other breeders who contributed to this fabulous breed.

 

[seviesnape]

Hi All ,


I just skimmed through this thread and will read through all of it later.i have been breeding and showing ACD's here in Fl for 9 years now. I have only had 2 litters because I believe in breeding responsibly. I do all the DNA and health testing recommended.
My dogs are MODERATE and come from good lines where many of the dogs have herding titles, I live too far from stock to compete in but always have my dogs instinct tested. I agree that SOME people are breeding for overly heavy dogs with piggy heads, these dogs can't move for the life of them. Fortunately a lot of the judges look at movement as a huge part of our breed. My girl Emmie ( my avatar ) who is expecting a litter May23rd. is a bit leggy and doesn't have a huge head but finished her championship very easily with 4 majors beating the winners dog for 2 of those wins. So there is hope , I will always choose a dog that is a little longer that can move rather than a overdone dog with a huge head!

There is no reason why you can't have a nice looking, healthy dog that can do the job it was bred to do. I find the people in Fl who advertise "Heelers " are usually backyard breeders who do no health testing at all. I have seen blind dogs, deaf dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia come from these places. They are also usually huge. I have 2 heelers that come to me for grooming , both are females and weigh over 65lbs. One is severely displastic and he dieted her down from 75 lbs. They are too big and even if healthy would be unable to be quick enough to work stock.

Oh and by the way I do believe Skidboot went blind of PRA ( I saw a video of him in his old age and you could tell he couldn't see well ) but not before he went ahead and bred him ! Yes he was an amazing dog but there is no excuse for breeding dogs with PRA witht the testing we have now! I now see they are breeding puppies like crazy but see no info at all that any are tested for PRA, hip, elbow problems or deafness. I may be wrong but good breeders post all of this info on their sites ........

Missie

 

[queenchick16]

Hi All ,


I just skimmed through this thread and will read through all of it later.i have been breeding and showing ACD's here in Fl for 9 years now. I have only had 2 litters because I believe in breeding responsibly. I do all the DNA and health testing recommended.
My dogs are MODERATE and come from good lines where many of the dogs have herding titles, I live too far from stock to compete in but always have my dogs instinct tested. I agree that SOME people are breeding for overly heavy dogs with piggy heads, these dogs can't move for the life of them. Fortunately a lot of the judges look at movement as a huge part of our breed. My girl Emmie ( my avatar ) who is expecting a litter May23rd. is a bit leggy and doesn't have a huge head but finished her championship very easily with 4 majors beating the winners dog for 2 of those wins. So there is hope , I will always choose a dog that is a little longer that can move rather than a overdone dog with a huge head!

There is no reason why you can't have a nice looking, healthy dog that can do the job it was bred to do. I find the people in Fl who advertise "Heelers " are usually backyard breeders who do no health testing at all. I have seen blind dogs, deaf dogs and dogs with hip dysplasia come from these places. They are also usually huge. I have 2 heelers that come to me for grooming , both are females and weigh over 65lbs. One is severely displastic and he dieted her down from 75 lbs. They are too big and even if healthy would be unable to be quick enough to work stock.

Oh and by the way I do believe Skidboot went blind of PRA ( I saw a video of him in his old age and you could tell he couldn't see well ) but not before he went ahead and bred him ! Yes he was an amazing dog but there is no excuse for breeding dogs with PRA witht the testing we have now! I now see they are breeding puppies like crazy but see no info at all that any are tested for PRA, hip, elbow problems or deafness. I may be wrong but good breeders post all of this info on their sites ........

Missie

Hello I couldn't agree more. My husband is a small animal vet and you can't imagine what he has come through his practice.I'll Have to get a photo of my Sidney. Boy do I miss her.I would love another one.

 

[seviesnape]

Hello I couldn't agree more. My husband is a small animal vet and you can't imagine what he has come through his practice.I'll Have to get a photo of my Sidney. Boy do I miss her.I would love another one.

I know one of our local Cattle dog club members is a small animal vet as well, we sit around and tell horror stories. Workig as a groomer I see the worst of the worst so many really unhealthy crossbreed dogs that it is insane, it makes me sick that sooo many people are breeding only to make a buck! And yes please post a photo of Sydney so we can see him!
As soon as I have time I am going to post photos of my gang and my chickies!
Missie