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Australian Cattle Dog Photo: Zingpix · CC BY 3.0

dog breed · 927 on Animalso

Australian Cattle Dog: Australian Herding Breed

Australia
Animal
Dog
Origin
Australia
Height
43 cm
Life expectancy
13 years

Read from Wikipedia and Wikidata on 2 Oct 2026.

The Australian Cattle Dog, also called the Cattle Dog, is a herding breed developed in Australia. It was bred to move cattle over long distances and rough terrain. This medium-sized, short-coated dog has red or black hair spread through a white coat, creating a red or blue appearance. Its recorded height is 43 and life expectancy is 13 years.

What it does

The Australian Cattle Dog is a herding dog from Australia. Its recorded job is droving cattle across long distances and rough terrain.

The breed is medium-sized and short-coated, with a red or blue appearance created by hair distributed through a white coat.

Getting started

A new owner is choosing a dog developed for cattle work in Australia. The recorded size is 43 in height, and the listed life expectancy is 13 years.

Strengths

Its purpose is clearly defined: moving cattle over long distances across rough ground.

The breed has a medium-sized, short-coated build and two main color forms.

Catches

The documented background centers on droving cattle, so its stated role is specific rather than general.

The recorded colors are described as red or blue in appearance, rather than a broad range of forms.

Pricing

No price information is included in this profile.

Who should skip it

People looking for a breed with a documented purpose other than cattle droving should compare other dog breeds. Those exploring Australian origins can browse dog breeds from Australia.

Verdict

Choose the Australian Cattle Dog if its Australian cattle-droving history, medium size, short coat, and 13-year recorded lifespan fit what you are seeking. Its defining description is working cattle across difficult ground, with red or blue coloring and a height figure of 43.

What stands out

  • Bred to drive cattle over long distances.
  • Developed in Australia for rough terrain.
  • Medium-sized and short-coated.
  • Recorded life expectancy is 13 years.

Worth knowing

  • Its documented role is specifically cattle droving.
  • The breed’s background involves long-distance work over rough terrain.
  • The description lists two main color forms.
  • The recorded height is 43.

Suits

  • Readers seeking an Australian cattle-herding breed
  • People interested in a medium-sized, short-coated dog

Think twice if

  • You want a breed documented for a different working purpose.
  • You are looking outside Australian cattle-droving breeds.

In short

The Australian Cattle Dog is a clearly defined Australian herding breed. Its history points to long-distance cattle work over rough terrain, while its recorded size is medium, with a height of 43 and a 13-year life expectancy. The short coat and red or blue appearance give it a distinct description. It makes sense for someone drawn to that documented working background. If your priorities center on another job or a different type of dog, compare the wider range of breeds before deciding.

Questions

Where did the Australian Cattle Dog originate?

It was developed in Australia.

What was the Australian Cattle Dog bred to do?

It was bred to drive cattle over long distances across rough terrain.

How tall is an Australian Cattle Dog?

The recorded height is 43.

How long does an Australian Cattle Dog live?

Its listed life expectancy is 13 years.

What does the Australian Cattle Dog look like?

It is a medium-sized, short-coated dog. Red or black hair spread through a white coat creates a red or blue appearance.

Is the Australian Cattle Dog a herding breed?

Yes. It is described as a herding dog developed for cattle droving.

More dog breeds from Australia

Photo credits9 photographs on this page

Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.