Caring for ACD'S
Australian Cattle Dogs, also known as Blue Heelers, Red Heelers, Queensland Heelers, Blueys, Hall's Heelers were as their name suggests; bred to work cattle and are the "True Blue Aussies". They were bred for hard work in any climate and can travel up to 25 miles a day moving cattle along and biting at their heels if necessary and they are unequalled anywhere in the world for their skill in handling cattle.
Man's ingenuity has helped him, in many ways to make cattle work easier and more profitable. He has introduced beef cattle roads, transporters, better railways, four-wheel-drive vehicles and even aircraft, but none can replace the Cattle Dog. The Cattle Dog remains an essential part of the team in yard work or when cattle are to be moved over distances and in conditions where mechanised transport is not appropiate. The Cattle Dog will bite the cattle if necessary to keep them moving, however he bites the beast only on the lower part of the legs so that he doesn't injure the cattle or damage the hide.
The cattle industry absorbs only a small proportion of the Australian Cattle Dogs registered each year. Of the balance some will be used for breed and/or show; others will appear in the obedience ring and related activities, most however will go to a variety of homes, remote both from the dog fancy and the rural industries. Cattle dogs are finding different roles that are congenial to them and in keeping with their characteristics and temperament. They are extremely intelligent, active, energetic and loyal companions. They are also excellent companions/guardians for children, give companionship and security to the elderly and guard the tools of outside workers. They are always eager to please you and no job is too big or too small. They thrive on human company and love to be around you 24/7.
The Australian Cattle Dog is devoted to his family and devoted to his duty and will follow you to the end of the earth and lay down his life if you ask him too. He is very weary of strangers, protective of his property and his family and an extremely good watchdog. Cattle Dogs have been known to rescue children from drowning, from the threat of snakes and from the unwanted attention of strangers. Burglars warrant special attention. An Australian Cattle Dog will be your best mate.
Australian Cattle Dogs are not dogs to be left in the backyard by themselves all day as they need loads of exercise and mental stimulation. Leaving them to their own devices all day will cause them to think up activities for themselves and become destructive; they will rip things up, chew, bark, pull the washing of the line and re-landscape the garden for you.
I advise all people purchasing a new Cattle Dog pup to enrol in Puppy Pre-School classes, this gives puppies socialisation time with other pups and humans as well as teaching the pup new skills. I also advise Dog Obedience training for your Australian Cattle Dog as this also gives socialisation with dogs and people and teaches them alot of new skills and tricks. Cattle Dogs love to learn, they pick things up quickly and they are very easy to train.
As not all Cattle Dogs have the luxury of acres to run around on all day, or cattle to work, some activities that Australian Cattle Dogs do well at and really enjoy are Herding, Fly Ball and Agility.
Cattle Dogs are generally hardy and healthy and commonly live to fifteen years of age or more. The longest living dog, recorded in the Guiness Book of Records, is a Cattle Dog named 'Bluey' that lived to the age of twenty-nine years and five months. He was purchased as a puppy in 1910 by Les Hall of Rochester, Victoria. He was still working cattle at the age of twenty. He was put to sleep on November 14, 1939.
The Dog's Bill of Rights
1. We have the right to be full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise and love.
2. We have the right to stimulation. We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy.
3. We have the right to regular exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish.....or fat.
4. We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns now and then. Don't expect us to be predictable all the time.
5. We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet!
6. We have the right to a good diet. Like some people we don't know what is best for us. We depend on you.
7. We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs, watchdogs, hunters or baby sitters.
8. We have the right to receive propper training. Otherwise, our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife. We could become dangerous to ourselves and others.
9. We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion, rather than abuse.
10. We have the right to live with dignity...and to die with dignity when the time comes.
Things you should never feed your Dog
There are a number of household items which we tend to take for granted that are potentially very dangerous to your dog's health. It is especially important to be aware of this because as you know, dogs are essentially scavengers and will often eat just about anything they can get a hold of.
One of these dangerous household items is Chocolate. Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. Even small amounts of chocolate is capable of causing such serious problems as constriction of the arteries and an increased heart rate. Large amounts may be lethal. It is important that children are aware of the dangers of giving a dog chocolate.
Mushrooms can produce abdominal pain, liver and kidney damage and anemia in dogs.
Garlic may seem benign but can cause vomiting, liver damage, anemia and diarrhea in dogs.
Dogs seem to love the taste of Anti-freeze and this can shut down your dog's kidneys.
Miscletoe can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and depression.
Onions can cause liver damage, anemia and diarrhea.
Coffee and Cocoa are especially dangerous and may cause increased heart rate, diarrhea, seizures, coma and death.
Apple and Cherry trees: The fruit is safe for dogs, however the leaves and roots are not.
Moth Balls can give your dog tremors and seizures due to it's primary chemical naphthalene which is extremely toxic to dogs.
Alcohol & Hops (used to make beer): Even so much as a drop of beer can cause intoxication. Alcohol poisoning also comes from vanilla extract, raw bread dough causing vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, coma, swollen stomachs.
Grapes, Raisins & Prunes can be fatal to some dogs causing vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, kidney failure and death.
Avocado and Guacomole dip made from avocados is poisonous to dogs. It destroys the heart muscles and other tissues, including the lungs.
Oranges, Lemons & Grapefruit can cause vomiting.
Potatoes, Rhubard & Tomatoes can harm the digestive, nervous and urinary tracts of dogs.
Macadamia Nuts & Walnuts are also dangerous to dogs.
Baby Food can be toxic to dogs as it sometimes contains onion powder.
Some dogs cannot handle human milk or dairy products, so avoid giving these to your dogs.
Cooked Bones can splinter and cause gut perforation as well as blockages in the intestine, tooth fractures. Cooked chop bones can get stuck across the roof of the mouth.
"What is a Breeder?"
A Breeder (with a Captial "B") is one who thirsts for knowledge & never really knows it all, one who wrestles with decisions of conscience, convince, and commitment.
A Breeder is one who sacrifices personal interests, finances, time, fancy furniture, and deep pile carpeting! She gives up the dream of long luxurious cruises in favour of turning that all important show into this years "vacation"
The Breeder goes without sleep (but never without coffee/cola!) In hours spent planning a breeding or watching anxiously over the birth process, and afterwards, over every little sneeze, wiggle or cry.
The Breeder skips dinner parties because that litter is due or the babies have to be fed at eight. She disregards birth fluids and puts mouth to mouth to save a gasping newborn, literally blowing life into a tiny, helpless creature that may be the culmination of a lifetime of dreams.
A Breeder's lap is a marvelous place where generations of proud and noble champions once snoozed.
A Breeders hands are strong and firm and often soiled, but ever so gentle and sensitive to the thrusts of a puppy's wet nose.
A Breeders back and knees are usually arthritic from stooping, bending and sitting in the birthing box, but are strong enough to enable the breeder to show the next choice pup to a championship.
A Breeders shoulders are stooped and often heaped with abuse from competitors, but they're wide enough to support the weight of a thousand defeats and frustrations.
A Breeders arms are always able to weild a mop, support an arm full of puppies, lend a helping hand to a newcomer.
A Breeders ears are wonderous things, sometimes red (From being talked about) or strangely shaped (From being pressed against a phone receiver), Often deaf to criticism, yet always fine-tuned to the wimper of a sick puppy.
A Breeders eyes are blurred from pedigree research and sometimes blind to her own dog's faults, but they are ever so keen to competition's faults and are always searching for the perfect specimen.
A Breeders brain is foggy on faces, but it can recall pedigrees faster than an IBM Computer. It's so full of knowledge that sometimes it blows a fuse; It catalogues thousands of good boning, fine ears, and perfect heads......And buries it in the soul, the failures and the ones that didn't turn out.
The Breeders heart is often broken, but it beats strongly with hope everlasting........And it's always in the right place.
OH, YES, THERE ARE BREEDERS, AND THERE ARE
BREEDERS!!!
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
I am your Puppy, and I will love you until the end of the Earth, but please know a few things about me. I am a Puppy, this means that my intelligence and capacity for learning are the same as an 8-month-old child. I am a Puppy; I will chew EVERYTHING I can get my teeth on. This is how I explore and learn about the world. Even HUMAN children put things in their mouths. It's up to you to guide me to what is mine to chew and what is not.
I am a Puppy; I cannot hold my bladder for longer than 1 - 2 hours. I cannot "feel" that I need to poop until it is actually beginning to come out. I cannot vocalize nor tell you that I need to go, and I cannot have "bladder and bowel control" until 6 - 9 months. Do not punish me if you have not let me out for 3 hours and I tinkle. It is your fault. As a Puppy, it is wise to remember that I NEED to go potty after: Eating, Sleeping, playing, Drinking and around every 2 - 3 hours in addition.
If you want me to sleep through the night, then do not give me water after 7 or 8 p.m. A crate will help me learn to housebreak easier, and will avoid you being mad at me. I am a Puppy, accidents WILL happen, please be patient with me! In time I will learn.
I am a Puppy, I like to play. I will run around, and chase imaginary monsters, and chase your feet and your toes and 'attack' you, and chase fuzzballs, other pets, and small kids. It is play; it's what I do. Do not be mad at me or expect me to be sedate, mellow and sleep all day.
If my high energy level is too much for you, maybe you could consider an older rescue from a shelter or Rescue group. My play is beneficial, use your wisdom to guide me in my play with appropriate toys, and activities like chasing a rolling ball, or gentle tug games, or plenty of chew toys for me. If I nip you too hard, talk to me in "dog talk", by giving a loud YELP, I will usually get the message, as this is how dogs communicate with one another. If I get too rough, simply ignore me for a few moments, or put me in my crate with an appropriate chew toy.
I am a Puppy; hopefully you would not yell, hit, strike, kick or beat a 6-month-old human infant, so please do not do the same to me. I am delicate, and also very impressionable. If you treat me harshly now, I will grow up learning to fear being hit, spanked, kicked or beat.
Instead, please guide me with encouragement and wisdom. For instance, if I am chewing something wrong, say, "No chew!" and hand me a toy I CAN chew. Better yet, pick up ANYTHING that you do not want me to get into. I can't tell the difference between your old sock and your new sock, or an old sneaker and your $200 Nikes.
I am a Puppy, and I am a creature with feelings and drives much like your own, but yet also very different. Although I am NOT a human in a dog suit, neither am I an unfeeling robot who can instantly obey your every whim. I truly DO want to please you, and be a part of your family, and your life. You got me (I hope) because you want a loving partner and companion, so do not relegate me to the backyard when I get bigger, do not judge me harshly but instead mold me with gentleness and guidelines and training into the kind of family member you want me to be.
I am a Puppy and I am not perfect, and I know you are not perfect either. I love you anyway. So please, learn all you can about training, and puppy behaviors and caring for me from your Veterinarian, books on dog care and even researching on the computer! Learn about my particular breed and it's "characteristics", it will give you understanding and insight into WHY I do all the things I do. Please teach me with love, patience, the right way to behave and socialize me with training in a puppy class or obedience class, we will BOTH have a lot of fun together.
I am a Puppy and I want more than anything to love you, to be with you, and to please you. Won't you please take time to understand how I work? We are the same you and I, in that we both feel hunger, pain, thirst, discomfort, fear, but yet we are also very different and must work to understand one another's language, body signals, wants and needs. Some day I will be a handsome dog, hopefully one you can be proud of and one that you will love as much as I love you.
Love,
Your Puppy. slurp slurp.
Australian Cattle Dog Rules
If I like it, it's mine
If it's in my mouth, it's mine
If I had it a little while ago, it's mine
If I can take it from you, it's mine
If you can't take it from me, it's mine
If it looks like mine, it's mine
If it's mine, it will never be yours
If I saw it first, it's mine
If you have something and put it down, it's mine
If I chew something up, all the pieces are mine (even the tiny little pieces)
If it used to be yours, get over it
If it's broken, it's yours!!!