The Australian stumpy tail cattle dog is an intelligent and high - vigour blackguard who is patriotic and devoted to her possessor . Learn more about hold out with the go - go - go " stumpy . "

Not to be fox with theAustralian cattle dog , the Australian stumpy tail Bos taurus dog is very much her own strain , even if there are n’t too many of her around . She ’s a raw when it comes to working , whether that be out in the pasture with cow or through dog sports . Standing between 17–20 column inch at the shoulder and weighing in between 32–45 pound , the Australian stumpy tail oxen dog is believe to be courageous as well as unwaveringly patriotic and devoted to her owner .

As a working cad withhigh vim levels , the stumpy need moderate exercise every day to keep her stimulated physically and mentally . If you do n’t have a grazing land of cows for her to manage , she ’ll be happy go for a rill or ahike through the wood , and she surpass atdog sports like agility , herding , andobedience .

side view of a grey and white Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog standing in grass

Courtesy of Bernadette Merchant

Appearance

Standing between 17–20 inch at the shoulder and weighing between 32–45 pound , the Australian stumpy tail cattle hot dog ( affectionately known as a " stumpy")has a double coat . The stunned coat is short , consecutive , and dense ; the undercoat is also short and dense , but delicate . The strain ’s coloring can be low or red . Blue blackguard can be mottle or solid in coloring material , and her head and body may have black mark . Red dog can be bespeckle , with darker red marking on her head and red plot of land on her body .

Stumpies get their name from their rear ends ; their tails are naturally bobbed ( not docked ) . Thebreed standardcalls for a tail no longer than 10 centimeters , though some stumpies are born with long behind .

It ’s easy to mistake an Australian squat tail cattle frump for an Australian oxen dog . But once you know the deviation between the two , you ’ll be capable to narrate them apart in no fourth dimension . Whereas an Australian Bos taurus frump is more rectangular in shape , with a body longer than it is tall , the stumpy is more straightforward , with her body ’s length equal to her height . to boot , an Australian kine blackguard ’s spike are do wide apart , and a stumpy ’s ears are set high on her head , throw her the appearance of always being alert .

grey Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog side view showing stumpy tail

Courtesy of Hyla Norman

Temperament

According to theAustralian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Society of the U.S. , stumpies are energetic , alert , determined , spanking , fearless , patriotic , and obedient . The stock is able to fill up nearly any role — loving household dog , search - and - rescue hero , agility champion , therapy dog , law and military canine tooth , and farmhand .

" The stumpy ’s temperament characteristics derive from the work they were multiply to do — herding stock by clip at their heels , hence why thesecattle blackguard breedsare sometimes referred to as ' heelers , ' " says Stephanie Sheen , DVM , veterinary expert withFuzzy . " They tend to be a turn offish , particularly with stranger , as they were see dogs on the farm , alarm of possible intruder . However , because they worked one - on - one with their people day by day , stumpies tend to stick closely with those few in their inner circle . "

aspect are n’t the only differences between Australian low-set tail oxen dogs and Australian cattle pawl . Hyla Burleson , who has own and worked with stumpies since 1979 , says stumpies are more affectionate than their Australian cattle hound twin and will be " in your circuit , in your fount saying , ' countenance ’s bet , let ’s snuggle . ' "

headshot of tan Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Courtesy of Jess Fynemore

Stumpies are also " on all the prison term , " Burleson says , and have a high energy stage than ACDs , even when it comes to bedtime .

" An Australian Bos taurus click will sleep at your foundation , but a stumpy will sleep 2–3 feet out from you , ready to go , " Burleson says .

With their go - go - go personality , Australian low-set nates cattle dogs can makewonderful playmate for one-time tiddler , though these rambunctious herders might be a little much for family with small tyke , Sheen says . As with all weenie , make indisputable puppy playtime is always supervised and thatkids know how to decent interact with animals .

Living Needs

As independent workers , stumpies areloyal to their familybut might favour to be the only fur baby at menage . Australian chunky tail cattle firedog puppy can live well with cat and other dogswhen properly introducedat a young age , but in general these pups need to be your only four - legged friend .

Stumpies are high - energy dogs who necessitate lots ( like , lot ) of physical and mental stimulation . But if you do n’t have abig fenced - in yard , that ’s not inevitably a heap - breaker . As long as an proprietor understands the time committedness Australian stumpy tail cattle dog require , they canlive blithely in an flat , condo , or small home in the suburbs .

" Problems come when there ’s not enough genial stimulation , " Burleson say . " Do n’t just put them in the backyard and forget about them . "

Stumpies needplenty of exerciseand tasks to focus on , even if it ’s justpuzzlesorinteractive toys .

" Becausethey are intelligentwith batch of Energy Department to spare , if they are n’t ease up a job to do they might find one of their own choosing , which can lead to undesirable behaviors , " Sheen says . " Stumpies are a working breed and as such have eminent energy — no sofa potatoes here ! A household seeking to espouse a stumpy should partake an active modus vivendi . They are likely to be infelicitous as apartment frankfurter unless given access to foresightful runs daily . "

Additionally , her gamey level of news and impressive physicality means that she can excel atoutdoor activities like hikingand lam , not to mention dog sport .

" Stumpies are great andiron to consider getting involved in dog sports with , such as agility , flyball , herding , ornose work grooming , " Sheen says .

Care

Aside from provide passable mental and physical stimulation , caring for your Australian stumpy tail cattle dog is fairly easygoing . She does n’t want a sight of grooming . In fact , grooming is minimal : A weeklybrushing with a slicker and small tooth combwill serve in keeping her pelage in dear condition , and she only needsbathing when unsporting .

As with all dogs , take the clock time at nursing home to ensure your stumpy’sears are gratis of infection , herteeth are brushed often , and hernails are trimmed .

With their smarts and loyalty , stumpiestake to training well , specially when they have a turn to keep abreast . Burleson says establishing a routine is the first affair to do when you make for home an Australian stumpy tail oxen dog puppy . For instance , when you take the air out the front room access , have your stumpy seat until you ’ve cleared the doorway and are ready to go . Like all dogs , consistent andpositive reward trainingthroughout her life will help your stumpy be polite and well - behaved .

Health

Stumpies have a lifespan of 12–15 class and aregenerally hefty dog . But , as with all blackguard , pet parents need to stay argus-eyed for a few health care .

" Deafnessdoes run in the breed , so all puppies should beBAER hearing test , " Sheen says . She adds thatinherited center issuesalso can be a trouble , so possible training pairs should be DNA tested forprogressive retinal atrophyandprimary lens luxationbefore breeding .

blab out to your veterinarian if you notice any changes in your puppy . away from these likely conditions , your Australian stumpy hindquarters cattle frank shouldvisit the veteran for regular checkupsandvaccinations .

History

According to theAustralian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Society of the U.S. , stumpies are think to be the first breed formulate in Australia . Stumpies , along with Australian oxen dogs , are thought to be descended from two types of working detent that were developed around the 1840s .

Though stumpies were never high in numbers , the stock ’s population declined further after World War I , and the breed was closely extinct by the 1980s . The Australian National Kennel Council made exploit to spare the breed , and issue are growing as more hoi polloi become aware of these various dogs .

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