All canids and felids worldwide
Planethoster

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

FCI standard Nº 287
Origin
 Australia
Group
 Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs, except Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs
Section
 Section 2 Cattledogs
Working
 Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
 Monday 20 March 1972
Publication of the official valid standard
 Monday 08 October 2012
Last update
 Wednesday 05 December 2012
En français, cette race se dit
 Bouvier australien
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
 Australischer Treibhund
En español, esta raza se dice
 Boyero australiano
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
 Australische veedrijvershond

Usage
Cattledog.

Brief historical summary
The Australian Cattle Dog was developed to assist with establishing the cattle industry in early Australian conditions. The principal requirement was a strong, biting dog, possessing great stamina and capable of mustering and moving wild cattle. Early imported breeds of working dogs did not possess these requirements. The first settlers had a limited availability of labour, this created problems in the control of their herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. Most properties were unfenced and the scrub country had not been cleared. To facilitate the efficient handling of sheep and cattle, they set about creating breeds of dogs to do this work for them. A great deal of research has been undertaken to ascertain the origin of the Australian Cattle Dog, but as early breeders kept very little recorded information, there is a marked divergence of opinion as to the breeds used to develop the purebred dog we see today. It is generally recognised though, that it resulted from the crossing of blue merle, smooth haired Collies with the Dingo, with a later injection of Dalmatian and black and tan Kelpie blood. Other cross breeding was tried, such as a Bull Terrier cross, but all these other crosses proved to be unsuccessful for the working of cattle.

General appearance
The general appearance is that of a strong, compact, symmetrically built working dog, with the ability and willingness to carry out his allotted task however arduous. Its combination of substance, power, balance and hard muscular condition must convey the impression of great agility, strength and endurance. Any tendency to grossness or weediness is a serious fault.

Important proportions
The length of the body from the point of the breast bone, in a straight line to the buttocks, is greater than the height at the withers, as 10 is to 9.

Behaviour / temperament
The Cattle Dog's loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian to the Stockman, his herd and his property. Whilst naturally suspicious of strangers, must be amenable to handling, particularly in the Show ring. Any feature of temperament or structure foreign to a working dog must be regarded as a serious fault. As the name applies the dog’s prime function, and one in which he has no peer, is the control and movement of cattle in both wide open and confined areas. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous and trustworthy, with an implicit devotion to duty making it an ideal working dog.

Head

Cranial region
Head
 The head is strong and must be in balance with other proportions of the dog and in keeping with its general conformation.
Skull
 The broad skull is slightly curved between the ears. 
Stop
 The skull flattens to a slight but definite stop.

Facial region
Nose
 Black.
Muzzle
 Broad and well filled in under the eyes, tapering gradually to form a medium length, deep, powerful muzzle with the skull and muzzle on parallel planes.
Lips
 Tight and clean.
Jaws and teeth
 Strong, deep and well developed underjaw. The teeth should be sound, strong and evenly spaced, gripping with a scissor-bite, the lower incisors close behind and just touching the upper. As the dog is required to move difficult cattle by heeling or biting, teeth which are sound and strong are very important.
Cheeks
 Muscular, neither coarse nor prominent.
Eyes
 The eyes should be of oval shape and medium size, neither prominent nor sunken and must express alertness and intelligence. Eye colour should be dark brown. A warning or suspicious glint is characteristic when approached by strangers.
Ears
 The ears should be of moderate size, preferably small rather than large, broad at the base, muscular, pricked and moderately pointed, neither spoon nor bat eared. The ears are set wide apart on the skull, inclining outwards, sensitive in their use and pricked when alert ; the leather should be thick in texture and the inside of the ear fairly well furnished with hair.

Neck
The neck is extremely strong, muscular and of medium length broadening to blend into the body and free from throatiness.

Body
Topline
 Level.
Back
 Strong.
Loin
 Broad, strong and muscular. Dog strongly coupled and with deep flanks.
Croup
 Rather long and sloping.
Chest
 Deep, muscular and moderately broad.
Ribs
 Ribs well sprung and carried well back, not barrel ribbed.

Tail
The set on of the tail is moderately low, following the contours of the sloping croup and of length to reach approximately to the hock. At rest, it should hang in a very slight curve. During movement or excitement the tail may be raised, but under no circumstances should any part of the tail be carried past a vertical line drawn through the root. The tail should carry a good brush.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality
 The forelegs have strong, round bone, extending to the feet and should be straight and parallel, viewed from the front.
Shoulders
 The shoulders are strong, sloping, muscular and well angulated to the upper arm and should not be too closely set at the point of the withers. Although the shoulders are muscular and the bone is strong, loaded shoulders and heavy fronts will hamper correct movement and limit working ability.
Pastern
 Pasterns should show flexibility with a slight angle to the forearm when viewed from the side.

Hindquarters
Generality
 The hindquarters are broad, strong and muscular. When viewed from behind, the hind legs, from the hocks to the feet, are straight and placed parallel, neither close nor too wide apart.
Upper thigh
 Long, broad and well developed.
Stifle
 Well turned.
Hock
 Strong and well let down.

Feet
The feet should be round and the toes, short, strong, well arched and held close together. The pads are hard and deep, and the nails must be short and strong.

Gait and movement
The action is true, free, supple and tireless and the movement of the shoulders and forelegs is in unison with the powerful thrust of the hindquarters. The capability of quick and sudden movement is essential. Soundness is of paramount importance. When trotting the feet tend to come closer together at the ground level as speed increases, but when the dog comes to rest he should stand four square.

Coat
Hair
 The coat is smooth, a double coat with a short, dense undercoat. The outer coat is close, each hair straight, hard and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting. Under the body to behind the legs, the coat is longer and forms near the thigh a mild form of breeching. On the head (including the inside of the ears), to the front of the legs and feet, the hair is short. Along the neck it is longer and thicker. A coat either too long or too short is a fault. As an average, the hairs on the body should be from 2,5 to 4 cms in length.
Colour
 Blue mottled : The colour should be blue, blue mottled or blue speckled with or without other markings. The permissible markings are black, blue or tan markings on the head, evenly distributed for preference. The forelegs tan midway up the legs and extending up the front to breast and throat, with tan on jaws ; the hindquarters tan on inside of hindlegs, and inside of thighs, showing down the front and the stifles and broadening out to the outside of the hindlegs from hocks to toes. Tan undercoat is permissible on the body providing it does not show through the blue outer coat. Black markings on the body are not desirable.
Red speckle : The colour should be of good even red speckle all over, including the undercoat, (neither white nor cream), with or without darker red markings on the head. Even head markings are desirable. Red markings on the body are permissible but not desirable.

Size and weight
Height at withers
 Males : 46 to 51 cms. Females : 43 to 48 cms.

Faults
• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Serious faults
 Shoulder that is loaded, slack or straight.
 Weakness at elbows, pastern or feet.
 Straight stifles.
 Cow-or bow hocked.
 Movement that shows stiltedness.

Disqualifying faults
 Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

NB :
• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography
http://www.fci.be/
Details
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
Hits: 310

No comments

The latest updated breeds

Recognized cat breeds
  • Ojos azules

    Ojos azules

    Ojos azules Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ojos azules is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is characterized by its blue or odd-colored eyes, regardless of coat color. A brief historical overview The history of the Ojos Azules began in the early 1980s with the discovery in New Mexico of Cornflower, a tortoiseshell...
  • Ocicat

    Ocicat

    Ocicat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ocicat is a breed of cat native to the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its mottled fawn coat, reminiscent of the Ocelot. A brief historical overview The Ocicat was created in 1964 in the United States by a breeder, Mrs. Virginia Daly. She wanted to breed Siamese tabby...
  • Norvégien

    Norvégien

    Norvégien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Norvégien, also known as the Norwegian Forest Cat or Norsk skogkatt, is a semi-long-haired cat breed from Norway. This large cat is characterized by its very thick semi-long-haired coat and its wild look. A brief historical overview Cats are thought to have arrived from southern Europe and were...
  • Nebelung

    Nebelung

    Nebelung Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Nebelung is a cat breed originally from Russia. This cat is the semi-long-haired variety of the Russian Blue, whose genetic characteristics it shares. A brief historical overview The instability of the early 20th century was very difficult for many breeds, some of which almost disappeared. Such is...
  • Munchkin

    Munchkin

    Munchkin Translation Francis Vandzersteen Origin This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. Standard For a cat to be recognized as a Munchkin, it must conform to the breed standard. If certain criteria are not met, the...
  • Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Egyptian Mau is a cat breed originally from Egypt. Developed from 1953 in Italy and then in the United States by a Russian princess. A brief historical overview Nathalie Troubetzkoï was a Russian princess exiled in the palace of the Egyptian ambassador to Italy during the Second World War. A...
  • Mau arabe

    Mau arabe

    Mau arabe Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mau arabe is a cat breed from the Arabian Peninsula. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its ancestral origins. A brief historical overview The Mau arabe is a natural breed, but was only recognized in 2009. These cats have occupied the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, living in...
  • Manx

    Manx

    Manx Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Manx is a breed of cat originating from the Isle of Man (British Isles). This cat is characterized by its lack of tail. A brief historical overview The Manx cat (kayt Manninagh or stubbin in Manx), also known as the Isle of Man cat, originated, as its name suggests, on the British Isle of Man.The...
  • Mandarin

    Mandarin

    Mandarin Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mandarin, also known as the Oriental longhair and Javanese, is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is the semi-longhair variety of the Oriental. A brief historical overview The history of the Mandarin begins with that of the Oriental. In fact, the Mandarin is a semi-long-haired...
  • Maine coon

    Maine coon

    Maine coon Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Maine coon is a longhaired cat breed from the state of Maine in the United States. This rustic-looking cat is characterized by its large size, plumed tail, square muzzle, plumed ears and long coat. A brief historical overview The Maine Coon is probably one of North America's oldest natural...
  • LaPerm

    LaPerm

    LaPerm Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The LaPerm is a cat breed originally from the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its curly coat. A brief historical overview The breed was created in 1982 in the U.S. state of Oregon by a woman named Linda Koehl. The curly hair is due to a natural mutation in the genes of one of...
  • Korat

    Korat

    Korat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Korat is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This small cat is characterized by its blue coat and green eyes. A brief historical overview The Tamra Meow, or Book of Cat Poems, is a richly illustrated Thai collection of verses written between 1350 and 1767, describing seventeen different cats, some...
  • Khao Manee

    Khao Manee

    Khao Manee Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Khao Manee is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This cat is characterized by its white shorthair coat. Its eyes can be yellow, blue or mint. Standard Official recognition of the Khao Manee is underway, notably through TICA and GCCF. It has been possible to register adult and juvenile Khao...
  • Himalayen

    Himalayen

    Himalayen Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Himalayen, also known as the colorpoint or colorpoint (US), is a cat breed originating in the United States. In some European countries, this breed does not exist and is considered a coat of the Persian. A brief historical overview The Himalayen is a colorpoint Persian. These Persians are...
  • Highland Fold

    Highland Fold

    Highland Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Highland Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Highland Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...
  • Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Scottish Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...