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An Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Photo: Wendy Hodges, CC BY 2.0 · source
Medium Foundation Stock Service

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Also called Heeler, Stumpy, Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and Stumpy Tail Heeler

  • Great with kids
  • Needs space
  • Needs lots of exercise

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a medium-sized herding dog breed with a distinctive stumpy tail and a smooth, dense coat that can be blue, red, or fawn in color. They are intelligent, energetic, and obedient, and were originally bred to help farmers drive their cattle over long distances.

Weight
33–44 lb (15–20 kg)
Height at the shoulder
17–20 in (43–51 cm)
Life span
12–15 years
Exercise
About 90 minutes a day
Coat
Short, Double
Origin
New South Wales, Australia (19th century)

Traits

Family and friends

  • Good with children
  • OK with other dogs
  • Reserved with strangers

Home and activity

  • Very energetic
  • Needs space
  • Barks sometimes
  • Easy to train

Care

  • Little grooming
  • Sheds moderately
  • Hardly drools

Temperament

Alert Hardworking Intelligent Loyal Wary of strangers Watchful

Coat colours

Blue mottled, blue speckle, red mottled and red speckle

Males and females

MalesFemales
Weight 33–44 lb (15–20 kg) 33–37 lb (15–17 kg)
Height 18–20 in (46–51 cm) 17–19 in (43–48 cm)

Recognized by

Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC), Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and United Kennel Club (UKC)


Caring for an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

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Veterinarians

Check-ups and vaccinations through its 12–15 years.

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Dog walkers

Needs about 90 minutes of exercise a day.

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Pet sitters

Someone to look after it while you’re away.

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Breeds of a similar size

All medium breeds
An American Leopard Hound
Medium

American Leopard Hound

Foundation Stock Service

  • 35–75 lb (16–34 kg)
  • 12–15 years
An Australian Kelpie
Medium

Australian Kelpie

Foundation Stock Service

  • 24–44 lb (11–20 kg)
  • 12–14 years

Sources

Breed details from The Dog API.