Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, often confused with the Australian Cattle Dog, was developed to develop the cattle industry in early Australian conditions. Unlike the Australian Cattle Dog, the difference between them is that the Stumpy Tail has no Kelpie blood. The Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is the result of years of selective, careful breeding. It is not a variety of the Australian Cattle Dog but a breed in its own right.

The image above: It is thought that a drover named Timmins crossed the Dingo, with its high intelligence and hardy nature, with an English breed of dog called the Smithfield, one or both of which may have been naturally bob-tailed. The results were red bob-tailed dogs known as Timmins Biters because of their headstrong habits and hard bites. The progeny from these dogs was probably crossed with the Blue Merle Smooth Collie, which exhibited stronger obedience and a gentler personality to produce what we have today – the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog – considered by many farmers and drovers as the best herding dog breed in the world.

The principal requirement was a robust biting dog capable of mustering and moving wild cattle. The long distances to be traveled made it essential that such a dog possesses excellent stamina. Although there is still some disagreement about the actual breeds used, it is generally thought that the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog developed chiefly from cross-breeding a Dingo and the Blue Merle Collie.

The Image above: The dog in the picture is a blue heeler. Note the brown/red paws. The Blue Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog will not have any red or brown on him and will be taller (longer legs) than a blue heeler. Some Blue Heelers may have a stumpy (very short) tail due to cross-breeding with the Stumpy tail and the Australian Cattle Dog. However, it is not to be confused with the purebred Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog FAQs Frequently Asked Questions:

Let us seek some answers related to the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog breed. Are they hypoallergenic (non-shedding), or do they shed a lot? Do they bark a lot? Are they good guard dogs? Are they good family dogs? Good with children? And many more questions that a potential Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog owner may be concerned about.

What is the difference between the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, the Australian Cattle Dog, the Blue Heeler, and the Red Heeler?

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog was developed in Australia to herd cattle and descended from crosses between European herding dogs and the Australian dingo. They do not have Kelpie blood in them.

The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD), or only Cattle Dog, is a breed of herding dog also developed in Australia. Sheep farmers mixed a little of this and a little of that, including the Collie, Dingo, Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, and Black and Tan Kelpie, to come up with the medium-size dog known for droving cattle over long distances across rough terrain. The Australian Cattle Dog is sometimes called a Blue Heeler or Queensland Heeler.

Australian Cattle Dog has been nicknamed Red Heeler or Blue Heeler based on its coloring and practice of moving reluctant cattle by nipping at their heels. Australian Cattle Dogs should have a natural, long, un-docked tail.

Is the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog a hypoallergenic (non-shedding) breed?

No. Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is not a hypoallergenic breed. Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs shed moderately. They do not shed all year round but blow their entire undercoats once or twice a year. The undercoat will fall off in clumps. To reduce hair in the home, brush the coat using an undercoat rake. This will help to remove any loose undercoat fur. Finish up by brushing the dog with a brush to remove any remaining fur and smooth the coat.

Do Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog dogs bark a lot?

Yes, Australian Stumpy tail cattle dogs will bark at every new sight and sound. Also, some cattle dogs have intense, high-pitched barks.

Is Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog a good family dog?

Yes, the Stumpy can be a good family dog. They are a loyal, courageous, and devoted breed that possesses natural aptitude in working cattle. This breed is suspicious of strangers and will protect its family and possessions with its life.

Are Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs affectionate? Good with kids?

The Australian Cattle Dog is affectionate with his family, but he does best with children if he’s raised with them and accepts them early on as his household members. In such cases, he’s very playful and protective.

Are Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs good guard dogs?

Yes, this breed guards well. Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs are incredibly protective. This breed doesn’t hesitate to guard their territory. They can be the right choice if you want an excellent guard dog.

Are Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs aggressive dogs? Do they bite?

This breed is not aggressive towards humans but will not back down without a fight if pushed. Many Australian Cattle Dogs are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures.

Can Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs swim? Do they like it?

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs love the water and to swim. As a result, they are excellent swimmers.

How much do Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs cost? How much is an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy?

About $500 to $1000. More for dogs with top breed lines and a superior pedigree.

How long do Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs live?

A healthy stumpy tail dog can live up to the age of 14 to 15 years.

Ok, so let’s assume you have chosen the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog as the best dog breed suitable for yourself. You have decided to find yourself an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy as your next family member. How will you choose the best pup? Let us look at some standard characteristics of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog dog breed, which will help you select the right puppy. Keep reading.

Choosing an excellent Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy

The definition of the best Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy depends on your requirements. Your expectations from an adult Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog can be broadly categorized as follows: Confirmation for show or breeding; obedience; smart guard dog; companion; homely pet.

Although it is tempting to look for all these qualities in one Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy you plan to buy; it is seldom possible to find all qualities in a single pup.

If you want your Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy to grow up to be a champion in the show ring, you should look for confirmation to the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog dog breed standards. We have put together a general guideline for selecting an all-around good puppy for you. Our guideline includes breed standards and gives importance to temperament, appearance, physical details, gait, health issues, grooming needs, and maintenance.

Look for the following characteristics while choosing an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s General Appearance

The general appearance is that of a sturdy, compact, symmetrically-built working dog. With the ability and willingness to carry out any task, however strenuous, its combination of substance, power, balance, and hard muscular condition to be such that it must convey the impression of great agility, strength, and endurance.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Temperament

The utility purpose is assistance in the control of cattle in both wide open and confined areas. Ever alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous, and trustworthy. With an implicit devotion to duty, making it an ideal dog, its loyalty and protective instincts make self-appointed guardians to the stockman, his herd, his property, while suspicious of strangers, must be amenable to handling in the show ring.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Size

The desirable height at the withers to be within the following: (a) Dogs, 18-20 inches (45-51 cm). (b) Bitches, 17-19 inches (43-48 cm). Dogs or bitches over or under these specified sizes are undesirable. Dogs over 20-1/2 inches (52 cm) or under 17-1/2 inches (44 cm) and bitches over 19-1/2 inches (50 cm) or under 16-1/2 inches (42 cm) are disqualified. Desirable weight: 33-50 lb. (15-23 kg).

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Coat and Color

The weather-resisting outer coat is moderately short, straight, and medium texture, with a short, dense undercoat. Behind the quarter, the coat is longer, forming a mild feathering. The tail is furnished sufficiently to form a good brush. The head, forelegs, and hind legs, from hock to ground, are coated with short hair. The Australian Cattle Dog should be shown in a natural state. The coat is not clipped or trimmed.

There are two recognized colors in the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle dog breed:

Blue Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

The color should be blue or blue mottled with or without other markings. The permissible markings are black, blue, or tan markings on the head, evenly distributed for preference, the forelegs tan midway up the legs, the hindquarters tan on the inside of the hind legs and inside of the thighs, showing down the front of stifles and broadening out to the outside of the hind legs from hock to toes. Tan undercoat is permissible on the body, providing it does not show through the blue outer coat.

Red Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

The color should be of good even red speckle all over, including the undercoat (not white or cream), with or without darker red markings on the head. Even head markings are desirable. Solid red or solid black markings on the body are not desirable.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Head

In balance with other proportions of the dog, a blunt wedge-shaped head, and keeping with its general conformation is broad of the skull, and only slightly curved between the ears, flattening to a slight but definite stop. The cheeks are muscular but not coarse or prominent. The underjaw is strong, deep, and well developed. The fore face is broad and well filled in under the eye, tapering gradually to a medium length; a deep, powerful muzzle. The nose is black irrespective of the color of the dog. The lips are tight and clean. The teeth should be sound, strong, and regularly spaced, gripping with a scissorlike action, the lower incisors close behind and just touching the upper. The undershot or overshot jaw should be disqualified. The eyes to be oval-shaped and medium-sized, neither prominent nor sunken, and must express alertness and intelligence: a warning or suspicious glint characteristic. The eye color is brown with a very dark pupil. Yellow eye is disqualified. The ears should be of moderate size, preferably small rather than large, broad at the base, muscular, pricked, and moderately pointed (not spoon or bat ears). Ears are set wide apart on the skull, inclined outwards, sensitive in their use, and firmly erect. The inside of the ear should be fairly well furnished with hair.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Neck

The neck is of exceptional strength, muscular and medium length, about 1/3 the body’s length, broadening to blend into the body and free from throatiness.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Forequarters

The shoulders are broad of the blade, sloping, muscular and at the point of the withers should be well laid back. The upper arm is well angulated to the shoulders. The lower arm should have strong round bone, extending to the feet. They should be perfectly straight viewed from the front. The pasterns should have no weakness between the feet and lower arm and should show a slight angle with the lower arm when regarded from the side. The feet should be round, toes short, strong, well arched, and held close together. The pads are hard and deep, and the nails must be short and strong (cat paws). Dewclaws are found on the front feet only and may be removed.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Body

The body’s length from the breastbone point in a straight line to the buttocks is greater than the withers’ height as 10 is to 9. The topline is level, back strong, with ribs well sprung and ribbed back (not barrel-chested). The chest is deep and muscular, and moderately broad. The loins are broad, deep, and muscular, with deep flanks and strength joining the fore and hindquarters. The croup is slightly sloping, broad, strong, and muscular. The abdomen does not cut up into the flank.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Hindquarters

The line from the hip point to the point of the buttock is rather long and sloping. The upper thigh is long, broad, and well developed. The lower thigh is long and well-muscled. The hocks are strong and well let down, and when viewed from behind the hind legs, from hocks to the feet are straight and placed neither close nor too wide apart. They should have a moderate bend of stifle.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Tail

The set of the tail is low. Following the croup’s slope and at rest, the tail should hang in a slight curve of a length to reach approximately the hock. During normal movement, it may be raised, but a gay tail should be severely penalized. The tail is never docked.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog’s Gait

Soundness is of paramount importance. The action is true, free, supple, and tireless. With the powerful thrust of the hindquarters, the shoulders and forelegs’ movement should be in unison. The capability of quick, sudden movement is essential.

Faults that are observed in the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog breed.

Any tendency to grossness or weediness is a serious fault. Ears: ears other than pricked. Color: solid red or black markings on the body. Tail: the gay tail is a fault. Other: stillness, loaded or slack shoulders, straight shoulders, weakness of elbows, pasterns or feet, straight stifles, cow or bow hocks must be regarded as serious faults.

Disqualifications: (a) Mouth: overshot or undershot jaw. (b) Eye: yellow eye. Size: bitches over 19-1/2 inches (50 cm) or under 16-1/2 inches (42 cm) and dogs over 20-1/2 inches (52 cm) or under 17-1/2 inches (44 cm).

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog video

We hope you enjoyed reading about the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog dog breed. You may consider sharing your views in the comments section below. Inputs and priceless experiences from dog owners, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog breeders, and dog lovers, in general, help us better understand our most loyal friends. Thank you for your interest.