Cattle Shepherd -- Australian Cattle Dog X German Shepherd

		Cattle Shepherd
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Australia <> Germany -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Cattle Shepherd

Courageous, alert, protective and hard-working are just some of the words that can be used to describe the traits of the Cattle Shepherd. Crossbred from the Australian Cattle Dog and the German Shepherd, these medium to large dogs stand around 51 to 63.5 centimeters tall and can weigh up to 36 kilos. Their current known purpose is to guard the owner's property, herd livestock and provide wonderful companionship. The Cattle Shepherd is considered a low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming requirements, however, due to its dominant behavior and large size, it is not recommended for first-time dog owners.

History of the Cattle Shepherd

This is a relatively new crossbreed, with a limited history. However, we can turn to related breeds to find out more about these dogs.

	A little of the Australian Cattle Dog
	A relatively new breed, the Australian Cattle Dog is thought to have originated in Australia. Originally known as Hall's Heelers, they were named after Thomas Hall, who put great effort into breeding Dingos that had been tamed with Northumberland Drover Dogs (probably Collies). Owner of large estates in New South Wales, Hall and his family used the Australian Cattle Dog to breed their cattle. This breed was specially designed to withstand Australia's hot temperatures and manage temperamental cattle by nipping at the cattle's hooves. Once Hall died in 1870, his estate was divided and Hall's Heeler with it, allowing further development of the breed into the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Short-tailed Cattle Dog. The Australian Cattle Dog joined the American Kennel Club in 1980.

	Standard of the Australian Cattle Dog
	A little of the German Shepherd
	The German Shepherd, on the other hand, was developed in Germany in the 1800s by a man named Max Von Stephanitz. The German Shepherd was originally a cross between long-haired and short-haired sheepdogs, with the main purpose of raising and protecting sheep. In recent years, he has become a competent, courageous and hard-working military dog. Athletic and courageous, it lost popularity during the world wars due to its German association, but gained popularity again in the 1950s as a trusted companion, watchdog and even actor. Rin Tin Tin of big-screen fame was a German Shepherd. This dog was added to the American Kennel Club's list of pure-bred dogs in 1908 and is a much-loved dog today.

	Standard of the German Shepherd

Appearance of the Cattle Shepherd

A large, strongly built dog, the Cattle Shepherd is a breed that stands tall and heavy, reaching an average height of 51 to 63.5 centimeters and an average weight of 20.5 to 36 kilos. These dogs can have medium-length coats, straight or wavy, but always dense. Their ears are straight with a round tip, and their muzzle is medium to long and proportionate to their head. Their body and legs tend to be fairly muscular and robust, although the feet are compact. Their stance is athletic and agile. Their tails are usually thick and bushy. His eyes are dark, although a hybrid with dominant Australian Cattle Dog genes may have blue or amber eyes. It can come in many colors, including the signature blue of Heeler ancestry.

Temperament of the Cattle Shepherd

The Cattle Shepherd tends to have a very loyal and gallant temperament. Because of its size and protective personality, the Cattle Shepherd is not suitable for households with young children who may not know how to behave with a large dog that likes to lead and protect. If trained and socialized as a puppy, your Cattle Shepherd can grow up to learn that he should be gentle and less dominant with children and other pets. Both parent breeds tend to be aggressive and cautious with people. Poor training can lead to difficulties in handling this strong-willed dog, and on top of that, it can become stuffy and biting. The German Shepherd is also a fairly frequent barker, and this excessive barking trait can be passed on to offspring. Again, lots of interaction at the dog park or in obedience classes when they're young will reduce this hybrid's strength.

Needs and activities of the Cattle Shepherd

Intelligent, playful and active, the Cattle Shepherd is one of the most energy-demanding of hybrid dogs. They have high energy levels and thrive on work. Best suited to activities that involve a lot of running and herding, they will excel at field trials, agility and other activities that allow them to use their minds and show off their intelligence and skills. They need a rural home with plenty of safe space in which to run. This dog will make an excellent running or hiking partner, but will also need to be well trained so that its recall skills are excellent. A wonderful companion for an outdoor-type family, with proper exercise and mental stimulation, it will be the perfect addition to the family.

Maintenance of the Cattle Shepherd

The Cattle Shepherd can be considered a low-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming. Weekly brushing with the smooth brush and occasional combing to remove excess loose hair is the basic routine. He won't need to bathe often unless his work or play leads him to encounter a messy or smelly substance to roll in. His nails will be strong and thick, so be sure to trim them often, which will make the job easier. Brush his teeth several times a week to avoid costly dental procedures. Start the grooming routine when he's a puppy and you'll find that your Cattle Shepherd is quite cooperative.