Australian Cattle Dog Puppy Dog Care Information

Photo of an attractive
Australian Cattle Dog puppy dog

Australian Cattle Dog Health Information:

The Australian Cattle Dog is a relatively healthy and long-lived breed. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, with many dogs living well beyond that age, the longest-lived dog (as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records) is an Australian Cattle Dog who reportedly lived to the ripe old age of 29 (in human years)!

No breed of dog, however, is without genetic defects or health concerns. Fortunately, the Australian Cattle Dog has relatively few threats to his general well-being. These include, but are not limited to:

Hip Dysplasia
Deafness
Juvenile Cataracts
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Australian Cattle Dog Exercise Information:

The Australian Cattle Dog, or Queensland Heeler, is an athletic dog that was bred specifically as a working animal. His temperament is that of a worker and these dogs tend to have a get-up and go attitude. Rarely do you find a Blue Heeler that's content to laze around all day; if anything, you're more likely to find one that will keep you on the go, trying to keep up with him.

Because Australian Cattle Dogs are so athletic and highly intelligent, failing to meet their exercise needs can result in hyperactivity and destructive behavior. Resorting to anything from worrying the cat to destroying furniture, a bored Cattle Dog is not something many want to encounter. For this reason, it's recommended that your Australian Cattle Dog have access to a large fenced-in yard or frequent trips to the local dog park. Daily walks are seldom enough for these canine athletes, so be forewarned, should you be interested in such a breed.

Australian Cattle Dog Grooming Needs:

With a medium-length coat, the Australian Cattle Dog requires a weekly or bi-weekly brushing in order to remove any dead hairs or dander from his skin, but maintenance of these beautiful dogs is minimal. Provided they are fed a quality food and plenty of fresh water, the Queensland Heeler is a relatively low shedder and will usually do quite well with a monthly bath. A good healthy Heeler's coat will shine and require very little upkeep!

Regular checks of the Heeler's ears should be made, ensuring there is no buildup of excess wax, foul-smelling discharge, or redness present. Care should be made when cleaning the ears never to put anything down into the ear canal. A soft Q-tip may be used to clean dirt from the outer parts of the ear but care should be taken as many dogs dislike this tickling sensation.