Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix

The Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Australian Cattle Dog and the Border Collie. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Australian Cattle Dog, sometimes known as the Red or Blue Heeler is known for being cautious, energetic, and obedient. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Australian Cattle Dog or the Border Collie? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix puppies for sale.

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Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Australian Cattle Dog History

Note that this is referring to the Australian Cattle Dog. Australians owe a great debt to all the persons involved in the development of the Australian Cattle Dog or the Cattle Dog. The beef industry would have really struggled without them. The legend has that in 1840, George Elliott, in Queensland, was experimenting with Dingo-blue merle Collie crosses. These dogs were excellent workers. Cattle men started buying these dogs as they were very impressed with their working ability. Two brothers, Jack and Harry Bagust, got their hands on some of these dogs and started improving them. Their first step was to cross a bitch with a fine imported Dalmatian dog. This cross changed the merle to red or blue speckle.
They are extremely alert, hardworking, and clever. This is an extremely high energy dog and needs lots of exercise. They can be very stubborn and will start herding the kids, the cats, or anything else if there isn’t anything else around to be herded. Like all dogs he also needs to be socialized when he is young or he can become shy and fearful.

Border Collie History

Here’s another collie dog that looks nothing like Lassie! The term collie is a generic one used to describe any number of shepherding dogs, not simply one dog of one appearance. The border collie is a graceful and natural herder for farmers worldwide, but prospective pet owners should be aware of their energy level, which is one of the highest among all canines. Border Collies have a sweet temperament and are one of the most intelligent breeds in all of dogdom, but please do not adopt one unless you have both a medium-to-large back yard and ample time for training and exercise. Neither you nor the dog will be happy. But if you’re looking for an athletic, medium-sized dog with easy grooming requirements and wits to match your own, the Border Collie might be for you! The Border Collie was bred for herding and hails from the border region between England and Scotland. Her ancestors were the Landrace Collies common to the British Isles. Besides herding she was also bred for intelligence, a trait she retains to this day. It is believed that the word “collie” comes from the Celtic word for “useful.”

In 1915, Britain’s International Sheep Dog Society coined the term “border collie” to distinguish its collies from the Kennel Club’s collie. The two dogs were bred from the same stock but exhibited certain differences in appearance. All purebred Border Collies today can trace their ancestry back to one of two dogs who exemplified the breed. They were introduced to Australia and New Zealand in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Some breeders today oppose the use of Border Collies as show dogs, fearing the herding instinct will be bred away. So, to this day, the breeding quality of a Border Collie is judged on one of two bases: herding ability, as determined by the International Sheep Dog Society; or purely by conformation and appearance. Border Collie registries exist in the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Turkey.

Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix Size and Weight

Australian Cattle Dog
Height: 17 - 20 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 31 - 35 lb.
Lifespan: 13 - 15 years

Border Collie
Height: 18 - 22 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 30 - 45 lb.
Lifespan: 10 - 17 years

Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix Personality

The Australian Cattle Dog and the Border Collie are known for being courageous and protective. The Australian Cattle Dog is known for being loyal, protective, and brave.They are also very loving dogs. This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Australian Cattle Dog mixed with the Border Collie might be prone to joint dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, osteochondrosis dissecans, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Australian Cattle Dog Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in