Grooming
While they blow their coats twice a year, Australian Cattle Dogs don’t shed year-round. When they do shed, their undercoats typically shed in tufts and clumps (called “coat blowing”). Here are some grooming tips for your Australian Cattle Dog:
Brushing: Pet parents should brush their dogs at least once a week; but when they’re shedding their coats, you’ll probably want to bump that up to at least two times a week, so you can brush away the dead hair. Natural bristle brushes or slickers are great for regular maintenance, and rakes are recommended when they blow their coats.
Bathing: In addition to consistent brushing, you’ll want to bathe them about once a month.
Dental care: Brush your Australian Cattle Dog’s teeth daily. The best way to make oral care easier for you and your dog is to start when they’re a puppy. An early introduction to toothbrushing will get them used to the handling and the feel of the brush, making it far easier as they get older. If you’re adopting an older dog, your vet can show you how to do it in a way that’s easy for everyone. In addition to frequent toothbrushing, be sure to have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned by your vet at least once a year.
Nail trimming: Fortunately, as an active dog, their nails should wear down naturally, and they won’t require as much intervention to keep them in check. A good rule of thumb is if you can hear their nails clicking when they walk, it’s probably time for a trim.
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Training
Because they’re active, independent and smart, Blue Heelers need a confident pup parent who understands this breed’s need for consistent training and patience. This “stubborn streak” is often frustrating for a newbie.
For a Blue Heeler, a combination of brilliance and boredom is not a good mix. They’ll create their own activities—like chewing your shoes or digging a hole in a rug. Lucky for you, they’re incredibly intelligent, so pet parents will find that they are easy to train. Australian Cattle Dog puppies love positive reinforcement—treats, praise, scratches and playtime with toys to reward your pup for a job well done.
Proper socialization early on, where you expose them to new experiences in a safe and calm manner, also is important to ensure they become well-adjusted adults. Puppy training school is a great place not only to learn how to play nicely with other dogs (and meet new people) but also learn to sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash.
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Diet
Australian Cattle Dogs don’t require any specific type of food or diet. Most high-quality foods that are commercially available should suffice. Remember, too, that there’s no one- size-fits-all plan for dogs and their nutrition. Additionally, your dog’s diet should take their age, overall health and activity levels into consideration.
Kibble is often recommended for dogs as the hard, crunchy texture has the added benefit of scraping or cleaning their teeth while they chew. And while kibble may be ideal for young pups, you might consider switching to soft or canned varieties to help your dog eat comfortably as they age.
Australian Cattle Dogs are highly active, so diets and foods that are high in protein are best. That said, be sure to consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to guide you in picking the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
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Exercise
Remember, an exercised cattle herding dog is a happy cattle herding dog—and one who won’t mess up your home because they’re bored. Australian Cattle Dogs are hardwired to be working dogs, so their exercise needs and activity requirements are off the charts. They’ll need more than an evening walk or a little fetch in the backyard for a few minutes. Plan to spend one to two hours a day engaging your dog in some form of exercise.
Speed and agility are the calling cards of these pups, and while speeds tend to vary from dog to dog, Blue Heelers can reach nearly 30 mph at full sprint. That’s why these pups love parents with active lifestyles—daily walks or jogs (and playtime!) are important. Dog sports and agility training are also excellent activities for these balls of energy.
Given how smart they are, Australian Cattle Dogs will also benefit from mental exercise in the form of puzzles and games.
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Environment
Australian Cattle Dogs need highly active people who have the time to burn through their (almost limitless) energy reserves every day. Bonus points if you take them on longer adventures over the weekend—wide-open spaces are ideal for satisfying their puppy wanderlust. Not doable? A large yard would be the next best thing. If you have a small apartment, you’ll need access to a park or other outdoor area for your pup to thrive.
Australian Cattle Dogs will likely do better in families with older kids, but if children of all ages are taught how to properly interact with dogs and pet parents supervise all play times with small kids and babies, there shouldn’t be a problem. Also note that this breed doesn’t typically mix well with other pets either, and they can be suspicious of strangers.
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