The Australian Cattle Dog

This slide show features the beauty, brains and versatility of the ACD. All images by Jeff Jaquish - www.zingpix.com

ALL herding shots were taken under these situations:
ACD Club of America 2007 National Specialty
AKC sanctioned herding trials
ASCA sanctioned herding trials
ACD Club of Canada sanctioned herding trials
ASCA of Canada sanctioned herding trials
Herding clinics
Working on a real ranch, on real cattle in real situations.
Most of the dogs you see herding are in the top ten ACD herding dogs of North America who come from working ranches. One in particular is the Canadian ACD National Specialty top Herding Dog as well as the American ACD National Specialty Herding Dog.

Most people who view this slide show do not realize they are seeing some of the best and the absolute proven best herding ACDs in North America.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Australian
• cattle
• Dog
• blue
• heeler
• red
• herding
• agility

[Dilbet57Wombo]

when im trying to get my dog out of the yard and back into the house , and he doesn't comply , and trys to run away from me , my acd will bite at his neck in my direction , can anyone tell me if thats considered herding ?

[jeff185]

@Dilbet57Wombo

Well, the basics of herding are that the dog wants to control the movement of the livestock. Gathering (getting all the stock together in one spot), fetching (bringing the stock to you), and driving (pushing the stock away from you) are the three basics. It would seem your ACD wants to control the movement of your other dog and "persuade" the other dog to come back to you. That would seem like some herding instincts are kicking in.

[66chevyo]

I'm not in the know.......but what keeps the cows from kicking the shit out of the dogs when they heel them??

[jeff185]

@66chevyo

Good question. As the dog becomes more aware of the task and gains experience, the dog should learn to come in very low and fast under the arc of the kick and nip the weight-bearing heel. It requires speed, accuracy and the ability to time the 'hit' on the heel that has the weight on it. That is the desired method. Some dogs never get the concept or don't get the timing down. Some dogs heel high or on the wrong heel. Those are the ones that will get kicked.

[jeff185]

@wachalookingfour this breed is known for their loyalty and protective nature. Your dog proved that.

[tierrabear10]

Awesome shots of some really great working heelers. They are the best dogs ever!!! They make the best companion dogs as well, as long as you exercise them every day and have plenty of ball or frisbee action. I love my little girl Sky to pieces!!!!!

[ackerrj]

Good video, nice music... My Blue Healer, Hazel dog, likes watching (g!)...

[wistoncap]

@66chevyo We had horses with our old ACD, and she did get kicked know and again. I used to only have Border Collies and got my first ACD as a stray.. fell in love with that dog after watching her get tagged over the eye by a horse and instead of running away she got pissed and came back at the horse twice as hard... bleeding and crying.. but determined. My Border Collies would not have taken a kick that well (although they were too smart to get kicked in the first place).

[unclearless]

My rescue Heeler is SUPER fast, kind of scary, because of cars. He does not chase cars, they chase him! lol j/k. But seriously, some have called him a "Stumpy tail" But I think he was docked before I got him. When I looked up the beautiful "Stumpy" They are all one mix of colors and zero tan on the paws, and no Bently mark. I am not spamming the vid, but he has one on here. Do you think he is Heeler or Stumpy? Reasearch said they are two different breeds. Thank you, ~Kevin~

[BritishArmyPfc]

I need to get one and put a red hanker chief on him

[koringn]

@Dilbet57Wombo yeh mate its telling the other bugger to come to you.

just healers instict mate, great dogs.

[88odessacowboy]

Incredible dogs. Not for Everybody. Could not imagine life without my 3 y o miniature Blue Heeler Molly.

[cheradenine99]

Balls of blue steel!

[Kateyez805]

My boyfriend has a 2yr old male blue heeler and everytime i get close to my boyfriend (like to hug him or something) his dog whines loudly like he's getting jealous. Any advice to stop this annoying behavior??? Help!

[gecko221281]

@Dilbet57Wombo Ned tried to fetch an old guy to me at the beach when he was about 5 months old. Good thing the old bloke found it funny!

[atlantabird]

Best. Dogs. Ever. My crazy dingo is nine years old and hasn’t changed or slowed down a lick her whole life. She was born deaf, but it hasn’t been a hindrance. In fact, I would say it has made her more loyal and attentive. She constantly checks in with me and registers visual cues in her environment. Love her so much.