Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Information: The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the most intelligent dog breeds, needing a lot of attention to stave off boredom. A neglected Australian Cattle Dog can become destructive. Australian Cattle Dogs have strong herding instincts and behave best when they have plenty of space and a job to do. Australian Cattle Dogs are well suited to farms and homes with large yards; they do not do well confined to an apartment or other small space. Australian Cattle Dogs are loyal and very obedient with attentive training. An Australian Cattle Dog tends not to do well with children unless it has known them since it was a puppy. Australian Cattle Dogs may be very close to their masters and reluctant to accept other people.

Australian Cattle Dog Trivia: Australian Cattle Dogs were bred by 19th century Australian pioneers to herd cattle on large ranches. Most Australian Cattle Dogs have a star-shaped marking on their foreheads called the Bentley Mark, after dog owner Thomas Bentley, whose purebred dog supposedly passed this mark on to all genuine Australian Cattle Dogs. Australian Cattle Dogs are excellent at catching frisbees. The Australian Cattle Dog nips at a cow's heels to keep it in line with the herd, and may apply this technique to its humans from time to time as well. Australian Cattle Dogs are descended from several different breeds, including Dalmatians and Smithfield Collies, which are now thought to be extinct.