Anyone else here have an Australian Cattle dog?

[Kerilou]

I grew up with ACD's on my parent's dairy farm here in Northern NY. Both of them died tragically and under terrible circumstances, and I *NEVER* recovered. My hubby of 15 years is a rottweiler FREAK and we have had several of them in the past. I was so traumatized by the loss of these two blue heelers on the farm that I wanted one of my own so bad as an adult, I literally could not even look at another blue heeler without crying. It was awful. I didn't want to see another one until it was MINE! FINALLY 3 years ago, he gave in and got me a blue heeler pup. Yes, he allowed another breed into the house! LOL...She is the MOST awesome dog, and I love her so much. Her name is Brodie Blue, and she is ALL MINE! She loves ME more than anyone else, and *IF* she listens, it is to ME more than anyone else. She is THE smartest dog I have ever seen in my LIFE! She has also consumed more time and energy from me than I ever could have imagined..but all the blood sweat and tears I put into her training is worth it!!

Here is my girl! She will be three next month! (and we are looking for a little sister for her!)

 

[Kerilou]

anyone??

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

What a sweetheart!!!

 

[bonnylass79]

I have an Australian Shepherd, but I used to work on a ranch that used Healers. Very smart and often misunderstood dogs. I love them.

Have you done any herding with her? My Aussie wants to herd everything in sight. He's three this year and I'm thinking about working on teaching him to herd this summer. He's already proven himself to be a wonderful agility dog.

 

[Kerilou]

Quote:
You are right, they are very smart! She was not around cattle in the beginning, and when we first introduced her to our new herd last spring, she was PETRIFIED! I was thinking--how embarrassing, my ACD is afraid of COWS? She now goes out to the barn with me and is not afraid any more, so I am ready to take the next step..My main concern is her getting hurt..the ones I grew up with took some MASSIVE hits and kicks from cattle..but she is SO smart, I know it wouldn't take much for her to learn...a lot of it is in born behavior, IMO..

 

[SaltyMomma]

We have a blue heeler named Cami.. she's a sweetheart. She doesn't have any cows to herd, but she could play ball until her legs fell off

 

[bonnylass79]

Quote:
You are right, they are very smart! She was not around cattle in the beginning, and when we first introduced her to our new herd last spring, she was PETRIFIED! I was thinking--how embarrassing, my ACD is afraid of COWS? She now goes out to the barn with me and is not afraid any more, so I am ready to take the next step..My main concern is her getting hurt..the ones I grew up with took some MASSIVE hits and kicks from cattle..but she is SO smart, I know it wouldn't take much for her to learn...a lot of it is in born behavior, IMO..

They definately have to learn how to get out of the way in a hurry. I thought my Aussie was going to get stomped this weekend when one of the horses got loose. He tried to stop or turn her and she wasn't having it. Same thing with the goats. He tried to herd them and they turn around to head butt him. Doesn't work real well if the animals don't take him seriously, lol. He may need to stick with herding chickens.

I've taken a few blows from the cows too. Ever tried to put a milker on a maiden cow? LOL, I miss those days.

 

[lockedhearts]

I had one for almost 13 years, she was my best friend. I found here when I moved to TN, her name was LD (Lost Dog) she loved me, stood by me, protected me and let me cry on her shoulder. It broke my heart when I had to put her down. I had her cremated and she is on my Shelf Unit in the Living Room.

 

[Skippin' Sammi]

]

[/img]Gorgeous dog and yes, I too have one. They are super smart and high energy. We got Chico from an ACD rescue three yrs ago and he is awesome. I have trained him to not be animal aggressive and he won't chase anything unless I tell him it is ok. The cats run laps and jump over him and he doesn't budge...but he hates Turkey Vultures and will run in circles barking at them as they fly overhead. I am looking forward to having chickens and introducing him to them so that he will watch over them and keep the Red Tail Hawks away.

 

[lilwhispers]

I have a freind that breeds stumpy tailed austrailian cattle dogs