Appearance

The Australian Cattle Dog is compact, sturdy, muscular and agile. They are slightly longer than they are high and have a slightly curved tail. Their heads are broad and slightly rounded, with a slight, but definite stop. Their ears are wide set, erect and triangular and their eyes are oval and should always be dark brown. Australian Cattle dogs have long, muscular necks that get broader toward the body. The weather-resistant double coat consists of a short dense undercoat and a short, straight outer coat. This breed comes in varieties of blue or red speckle.

Size and Weight

Australian Cattle Dogs stand from 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder, and females are usually slightly smaller than males. Their weight ranges from 30 to 50 pounds, with females weighing in on the lower end of the spectrum, and males on the heavier end.

Coat and Color

This breed has a double coat, with a dense undercoat and a thick topcoat which is weather resistant. Australian Cattle dogs are either blue or red speckle. Blue varieties include black, blue, or tan markings on the head; some tan on the legs, chest, and throat; and tan on the jaw and hind legs. Sometimes the undercoat is tan with a blue outer coat. Red speckle coats are red all over and sometimes include dark red markings on the head.

Grooming Needs

Australian Cattle Dogs are very low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They shed lightly throughout the year, and twice a year they will shed heavily. During season changes, the dog's undercoat will fall out in large clumps, and the full blowing of the coat only takes a few weeks. Regular brushing will remove the dead hair and keep the dog (and the house) looking neat. Brushing also distributes the natural oils found in the skin and fur, and helps keep the coat shiny and healthy. Bathing only needs to occur on an as-needed basis, when the dog has gotten particularly dirty or begins to emit an odor.

Regular ear and teeth cleanings as well as nail trimmings will also contribute to the dogs overall health, well-being and attractive appearance.