Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs are high-energy, intelligent and active. A lot of people confuse the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog with the Australian Cattle Dog!
What's the difference between the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog?
- The Stumpy's body is rather square, while the Australian Cattle Dog's body is a bit longer than it is high.
- The Stumpy's ears are wider apart and set higher on the head than the ACDs.
- Stumpies should not have any tan patches.
With this in mind, they do best with a large yard and a job to do! Living in an apartment may not be the best environment for this breed.
History
Dogster explains that this breed is believed to be a cross between a Dingo and a short, bobtailed dog of unknown origin, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog—along with its relative, the Australian Cattle Dog—were used to herd cattle and work on farms across the Outback.
Breed overview
- Height: 17-20 inches
- Weight: 35-50 pounds
- Life expectancy: 14-15 years
- Overall traits: Alert, protective, intelligent, cunning and hardworking
- The colors of the Stumpy Tail are blue or red speckle. The blue may be mottled and may have black markings; the red speckle should have a good even speckle all over, including the undercoat.
- Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs have small but sturdy frames with bobbed tails.
- According to Dogster, they have lean, muscular legs, strong necks and broad, flat heads with wide, pointy ears.
This dog is an intelligent cattle dog that can become easily bored. Exercise is paramount, especially if you don't live on a farm.
Personality
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle dogs must have plenty of vigorous exercise and stimulating mental challenges every day. Experts say that they will become destructive, both of themselves and of your home if they don't have a job. They're known to be very loyal to their family.
There are varying points of view when people characterize this dog as a livestock dog or general farm dog! Since they're bred with a dingo they may become questionable around smaller livestock like chickens.
Experts all agree that this breed is energetic, watchful, free-spirited, obedient and alert.
Exercise and grooming
These dogs have incredible stamina they need to be taken on long daily walks if they're not a farm dog with acres to roam.
This breed is very easy to groom! The short-haired, weather-resistant coat needs little care. Just comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. This breed tends to shed its coat once or twice per year.
Check out this wonderful fact about this active breed:
According to Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs, stumpies are nicknamed "velcro dogs" because they stick to their people. Heaven for a Stumpy is leaning into you for a prolonged head rub. Balancing that well-known guardian instinct is the world's most loving heart and a sense of humor that will keep you laughing its whole life long.
This working dog with a bob-tail will make a wonderful companion. Their medium size, trainability and working ability are wonderful attributes for a farm dog. They will need a lot of mental stimulation and obedience training. Good activities to teach them if they're not a full-time farm dog include flyball or even frisbee!
The American Kennel Club (AKC) or United Kennel Club are both solid resources for this breed of dog and can explain the breed standard.
Other dogs similar to the Australian Stump Tail Cattle dog are collies, herding dogs, blue heelers or a Blue Merle Collie.
Do you know anyone that lives with a cattle dog breed? Let us know what characteristics you love about this breed!
