Is An Australian Cattle Dog Right For You?

Australian Cattle Dogs have become fairly popular in the last decade thanks to their intelligence, loyalty, and striking good looks. They’ve also gained a reputation for their boundless energy, which can make them a bit challenging for first-time dog parents.

This hardworking herding breed may not make the best match for everyone’s lifestyle. They thrive on plenty of physical exercise and stimulating mental challenges. Their sharp minds and strong work ethics mean they do best with active pet parents who can meet their needs for exercise and mental enrichment.

“If you really want a cattle dog, get a mentor who has cattle dogs,” advises Robin Lux, breeder and owner of Fire Forged Australian Cattle Dogs. “Really be around those dogs for a while to experience the pros and challenges. Be ready to dedicate your life to them. It will be an amazing ride.”

Read on to learn more about Australian Cattle Dogs and find out if they might be a good fit for your family.

Breed Characteristics

How Are Australian Cattle Dogs As Pets?

Australian Cattle Dogs were bred as working dogs, so they thrive best when they have a job to do. If you can meet their needs, they can be exceptionally loyal dogs with a lot of love to give. 

“Australian Cattle Dogs are a herding breed, initially meant to herd cattle. Herding breeds in general have an intrinsic need to control the environment and will feel driven to herd almost anything, including adults, kids, cats, other dogs, and even cars!” explains Shaylin Ambrose, Fear Free certified professional dog trainer and owner of Clever Tails Dog Training & Pet Sitting.

Behavior and personality 

Ambrose describes the Australian Cattle Dog as one of the smartest breeds around. “They’re quick learners and great problem solvers. They are also extremely loyal and are often considered “Velcro” dogs, meaning they usually bond to one person and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time.” 

Australian Cattle Dog personality traits can vary widely depending on their pedigree.

The Australian Cattle Dogs bred more for work, such as herding cattle, tend to be a bit sharper, more intense, with higher drives and activity levels,” says Karacel Hayman, breeder and owner of Redstart ACDs.

On the other hand, Australian Cattle Dogs bred as pets or show dogs tend to have a softer temperament. This can mean they’re a bit easier to handle, but they’ll still be very active. 

Asking breeders about the pedigree of the parent dogs can give you more information about what temperament their puppies are likely to have—just keep in mind this isn’t a guarantee!

Sociability and energy levels

“Being naturally wary of strangers is common in Australian Cattle Dogs, but they adore their people with an almost single-minded focus,” explains Dr. Jacqueline A. Brito, breeder and owner of A-Line Kennels.

These dogs can be great with kids. That said, since they’re a herding breed, fast-moving, unpredictable children can stress them out! This makes early socialization an essential step to teaching them how to interact with children properly.

When it comes to other dogs, some Australian Cattle Dogs are social butterflies, while others are aloof. This mostly depends on the individual dog.

“Australian Cattle Dogs can have same sex aggression issues,” Hayman explains. “Socialization starting at a young age definitely helps, but some dogs are more naturally friendly and social than others.” 

Trainability and exercise

Australian Cattle Dogs learn quickly, but they need consistency.

“Inconsistent expectations can lead to confusion and behavior problems, so it’s important to be consistent with clear communication both individually and as a family,” Ambrose explains.

Australian Cattle Dogs’ natural herding instincts are very strong, and you can’t train these instincts out of them. However, you can teach them to do an alternative activity, like lie down on a mat while kids play.

Ambrose emphasizes the importance of training these dogs ways to relax and take a break. You can teach them how to flip their “off” switch by providing calming activities that help them naturally soothe themselves. These include: 

• Sniffing: Feeding your dog in a snuffle mat, taking a sniff-ari (sniff safari), or playing hide and seek with treats are great ways to promote smelling.
• Licking: Try smearing treats or food on lick mats or freezing yummy treats in a Kong to encourage licking.
• Chewing: If your dog loves gnawing on things, offer chew toys or items like bully sticks, tracheas, and tendons as good options.
• Shredding: “If you have a dog who likes to shred used napkins, you can provide cardboard boxes or paper in a controlled way so they know only to shred when it’s appropriate,” Ambrose suggests.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your dog during these activities to avoid choking accidents and make sure they don’t eat anything that’s indigestible.

Companionship and lifestyle

Australian Cattle Dogs have high energy needs, which makes them much more suitable for experienced dog parents. They’re a challenging breed to raise, especially when their needs aren’t met. 

If you don’t know whether you can meet all of your dog’s exercise needs, you can find a local dog walker to help them burn off some of that excess energy!

If you like the idea of getting into dog sports, Australian Cattle Dogs are one of the most versatile breeds out there, according to Alexis Kurowski, breeder and owner of Cobalt Kennels. She explains that these dogs tend to love herding and obedience activities but also thrive in dog sports like:

• Agility
• Dock diving
• Rally
• Flyball
• Scentwork 
• Frisbee sports

As for barking, they’re generally pretty quiet when with their families, according to Kurowski. However, they do tend to bark at strangers who approach their home or car.

They’re also likely to bark more often when separated from their pet parents. In short, they don’t do well left home alone!

What Types of Australian Cattle Dogs Are There? 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard, Australian Cattle Dogs come in two main colors:

• Blue: Blue Australian Cattle Dogs, also called Blue Heelers, typically have a blue, blue-mottled, or blue-speckled coat. The blue color comes from a mix of black and white hairs. These dogs may or may not have other markings, like tan spots on their legs, throats, and jaws. These tan spots can also appear inside their hind legs or thighs. 
• Red Speckle: Red speckled dogs, also called Red Heelers, have an even red speckle across their bodies with no white or cream spots. The red color comes from the mixing of white hairs with a red base coat. These dogs may have darker red markings on their heads. 

Blue Australian Cattle Dogs are more common than red. These colors are distinct, so you won’t find a red and blue Australian Cattle Dog. Their genes simply don’t allow for it.

Occasionally, you will see Australian Cattle Dogs advertised in other colors, like black. These colors don’t appear naturally in Australian Cattle Dogs and are likely the result of mixed breeds. Australian Cattle Dogs are most commonly crossed with Labrador Retrievers, Australian Kelpies, and other herding breeds. 

Is It Easy to Groom Australian Cattle Dogs? 

Australian Cattle Dogs are pretty easy to groom, but they do tend to shed a lot.

“They are a double-coated breed with a dense textured coat. They blow their coats twice a year but will have shedding year round,” Hayman explains.

Hayman adds that Australian Cattle Dogs only need baths when necessary. Beyond that, the occasional brush and nail trims will help you keep your dog looking tip-top!

What Is an Australian Cattle Dog’s Life Expectancy? 

These working dogs have a fairly long lifespan, as long as their exercise needs are met. On average, they live between 12 to 14 years, which is relatively long for a working breed.

However, like all dogs, their overall health, genetics, and lifestyle can affect their lifespan.

Australian Cattle Dogs are prone to a few health conditions:

• Deafness: Deafness may affect up to 13% of Australian Cattle Dogs, Lux explains. “Many deaf cattle dogs are very trainable with specific training plans designed for that disability.”
• Eye conditions: Dr. Brito says Australian Cattle Dogs can develop 3 different genetic eye conditions: PRA-PRCD, PRA-rCD4, and PLL. “Both types of PRA cause blindness as the dog ages,” she explains.
• Hip dysplasia: Around 16.8% of Australian Cattle Dogs have hip dysplasia, though very few end up with a severe form of this condition. Elbow dysplasia is also common in these dogs.

Dr. Brito says responsible breeders will test for both eye and hearing conditions and let potential puppy buyers know the results before they take the puppy home.

“The only reliable testing of deafness is BAER testing,” she adds. “This test is performed by a certified veterinarian, and the breeder should give you a copy of the test results.

How to Ethically Buy or Adopt an Australian Cattle Dog

The price of an Australian Cattle Dog puppy can vary greatly, according to Lux. The price will depend on several different factors:

• Are the parents AKC champions who represent the breed? 
• Do the parents have performance titles to support their trainability?
• Did the breeder do any health and genetic testing or hearing testing on the puppies? 
• Does the breeder offer proof of testing or a health guarantee?
• Did the breeder follow any puppy-raising protocols like Puppy Culture to help the puppy during its first 12 weeks of development?

All of these factors can raise the price of the puppy. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend between $500 to $1500 for your new puppy. Your location can also play a role in what you pay, especially if you have to travel to pick up your puppy.

Rescue: Purebred vs. mixed breed

While you might have a harder time finding a purebred Australian Cattle Dog at your local shelter, you can check out breed-specific rescues, like the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association. 

You won’t pay as much for a rescue as you’ll pay when buying a puppy from a breeder. You can expect to pay around $150 to $350 for the adoption fee.

Mixed-breed Australian Cattle Dogs are fairly common in shelters. These dogs will likely have some traits common to Australian Cattle Dogs, but they’ll also inherit traits from their other parent breed. Some of these dogs might be more laid back than a purebred Australian Cattle Dog, but others may be even more active!

Vetting breeders

If you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder, it’s important to do some careful research to make sure you’re getting a dog from a reputable and ethical source.

Ethical breeders will:

• Do hearing testing: “A reputable breeder will have the puppies tested with a BAER test before placing them in homes,” Dr. Brito says.
• Do health testing: Breeders will also test their dogs for other concerns. “Breeders should do testing on the dogs they breed and share the genetic results with potential owners,” Lux says. Be sure to ask for those official testing results. 
• Let you visit the facility: Ask to see where the puppies and mother are kept. Try not to accept waiting in a front room while the breeder retrieves the puppy from the back. You want to see where the puppies live. It’s a red flag when a breeder won’t let you see the puppy’s environment.
• Ask for an application: A reputable breeder will always ask potential pet parents many questions about what they’re looking for in a pet. This will often feel like an interview,” Dr. Brito explains.
• Avoid multiple litters at once: Puppies are a lot of work, so quality breeders typically limit their workload to one or two litters at a time. If a breeder has many litters available, this can be a red flag—especially if those litters belong to several different breeds. 

Dr. Brito also says it’s important to check if the dogs are actually working farm dogs. She says there aren’t many true working farms and even fewer true working dogs.

If you want a working herding partner, you’ll need to do a lot of research to find a breeder who is trialing or working their dogs consistently. 

Other Medium Dogs to Consider

If you’re drawn to the Australian Cattle Dog but think you might prefer a dog who’s slightly lower maintenance, many other medium dogs could be a better fit.

These breeds have many of the same traits as an Australian Cattle Dog, but generally have less intense exercise needs:

• Labrador Retriever: Labs are known for their friendliness and intelligence. They’re highly trainable and also very active, but they don’t need quite as much exercise as Australian Cattle Dogs.
• Border Collie: Like Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies are incredibly intelligent and energetic. They love having a job to do, which makes them a good choice for active families.
• Cocker Spaniel: Cocker Spaniels are very affectionate and more laid back than Australian Cattle Dogs. That said, they do have more involved grooming needs. 
• English Springer Spaniel: This breed is very friendly and energetic. They love outdoor activities, but they have more moderate energy levels than Australian Cattle Dogs.
• Australian Terrier: These dogs are very loyal, like Australian Cattle Dogs, but they’re also smaller and less energetic.

Takeaway

Australian Cattle Dogs are loyal and intelligent dogs with an incredible work ethic. They do best with an active family and can be excellent companions for those who want an involved relationship with their dog.

They do require plenty of mental stimulation and exercise, but this can be more than worth it for the right pet parent. 

With the right care, an Australian Cattle Dog can become a deeply loyal and highly rewarding companion, especially if you’re interested in canine sports or very active hobbies!

Article Resources

• Ambrose, S. (2025). Personal interview.
• Australian Cattle Dog breed history. (n.d.). https://www.acdca.org/breed-history
• Brito, J. (2025). Personal interview.
• Coat color & patterns in Australian Cattle Dogs. https://www.acdca.org/coat-color
• Hayman, K. (2025). Personal interview.
• History of the breed. (2018). https://australiancattledogsociety.co.uk/history-of-the-breed
• Kurowski, A. (2025). Personal interview.
• Lux, R. (2025). Personal interview.
• Official standard of the Australian Cattle Dog. (1999). https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AustralianCattleDog.pdf