Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs don’t shed year-round, but they do blow their coats twice a year—it’s totally normal and means they shed their undercoats in clumps as the seasons change. They’ll need a little extra grooming attention during this time.  

• Bathing: Bathe your dog once a month (unless they happen to splash in a particularly muddy puddle).   
• Brushing: Use a bristle brush or slicker brush once a week to keep their coat shiny. Bump your brushing routine up to twice a week using a rake brush when they’re blowing their coat.  
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth healthy by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Australian Cattle Dog puppy is young, if possible, so they get used to the experience. Along with daily at-home care, get a professional dental cleaning at your vet once a year. 
• Nail care: These pups are so active that they (usually) don’t need frequent nail trimming—their claws naturally wear down as they move. But if you can hear their nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time to get out the nail clippers.  

When it comes to training, Australian Cattle Dogs need a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement—praise, treats, and toys. You’ll need to patiently teach them various skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called.  

Begin as soon as you bring your Australian Cattle Dog puppy home (typically around 8 weeks of age), and you can start with basic cues like sit and stay.  

Consider enrolling in puppy obedience school when they’re 4 months old and fully vaccinated. Along with being a good learning environment, obedience school is a great way to socialize your dog, as they’ll meet new people and make some new canine friends, too. 

If you adopt your dog when they’re older, that’s perfect, too. Begin training and socialization based on your vet’s guidance—it’s never too late to start and learn a lot of new skills. 

After your Australian Cattle Dog has the basics down, keep them engaged by teaching them more complex cues and competitive sports, such as agility courses, dock diving, and flyball, which will challenge them intellectually and physically. 

Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the smartest dog breeds. So if it takes them a while to get the hang of new skills, it’s not for lack of intelligence, but more so because they can be a bit independent-minded. They learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient.   

If you need extra help, consider hiring a certified dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement.

Every dog is different, so there’s no one ideal nutrition plan for your Australian Cattle Dog. But every pup does need a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).   

As this dog is highly active, you might want to consider a high-protein diet, such as Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance. Talk to your vet, who can help you determine if a sport diet is the right choice for your dog.  

Take care to not overfeed your Australian Cattle Dog—even active pups can pack on extra pounds, and obesity in dogs can lead to a lot of health issues. So, carefully measure out your dog’s meals, and be mindful of how many treats you’re giving them. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. 

Australian Cattle Dogs are very, very active pups who need their exercise, and they want to wow you with what they can do.   

A quick game of fetch simply won’t be enough for these star athletes. Plan to spend up to two hours a day exercising with your dog, whether it’s at the dog park, on a hike, on a run, or with several daily walks around the neighborhood—or, of course, a high-energy game in the backyard. (Just make sure you really put your heart and soul into it; your pup will get bored if you’re not giving them your all.)  

Australian Cattle Dogs are known for their agility, and they can reach speeds of 30 mph at full sprint. If you’re a runner, they’d love to join you (and will probably kindly slow down so you can keep up).  

They need mental stimulation, too, like interactive toys and games. They may also do well with an outlet for their powerful tracking instincts—you can look for local tracking classes or pursue nose work training on your own. 

These dogs need room to roam and create adventures, so a large, fenced backyard is ideal.  

It’s OK if you live in a city setting, but your pup would prefer a nearby park, dog park, or doggy daycare—perhaps all three—as dedicated spots to hang out and exert their energy. And a tiny apartment probably won’t do.  

These pups are great family dogs who will likely get along well with kids, but younger children will need to learn how to interact with them (and vice versa). As long as everyone’s well-socialized and properly introduced, it should work out just fine.   

As for other pets, the Australian Cattle Dog will probably prefer to be your one and only, though they often get along with other pups. But living with smaller animals like cats might be a bit tricky—their working instincts are so strong that they might try to herd your kitty around the house.