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Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Temperament (Energetic, Active)

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog temperament makes her an ideal dog for herding cattle – hence her name! She is a medium-sized, tailless cross between the Australian dingo and the European herding dog.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is related to the Australian Cattle Dog, another name for whom is the Queensland Heeler (for obvious reasons). And speaking of names dogs go by, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog also goes, more simply, by the hilarious “Stumpy”!

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Temperament and Personality

What follows are some of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog traits and quirks that you must know about the breed before you dive headfirst into adopting or purchasing one.

The Watchful Protector

While she normally acts reserved around people she doesn’t know, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog temperament is active and confident around her owners. She is a natural guard dog who needs little if any training to hone this skill.

Loyal

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is very loyal to her family. She sticks by them and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Intelligent

The Stumpy ranks tenth in intelligence among all the breeds out there. This is one of the reasons why she needs you to keep her occupied as much as possible, else she will get bored. And, as well all know, a bored dog can become a destructive dog.

One Tough Cookie

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs are not readily affectionate. For instance, instead of climbing up into your lap, they are more likely to lay at your feet.

Sensitive

The Stumpy temperament is very responsive to her owner’s moods. As a result, if she senses from you that something is wrong, she will try to make you feel better. And if you’re walking past someone on the street, and she senses you are getting nervous, she may go on the defensive as well.

The Family Dog

The Stumpy loves children and will spend as much time playing with them as they want them to. Of course, the earlier you socializer her as a puppy, the more accommodating she will become.

Put another way, the Stumpy puppy socializes more easily than older Stumpys do, so the earlier you start her on meeting new people and animals, the better.

Is It Nippy in Here?

Since the Stumpy has the act of herding animals in her blood, she will occasionally nip at people’s heels. She does this playfully, never intent on hurting anyone, but fair warning: if you have young children, this activity may scare them. They may think the dog is trying to bite them, when all she’s trying to do is play.

Aloof

The Stumpy gets her aloofness from her dingo ancestor. This may cause her to stick by her owner’s side at a dog park, rather than venture off and play with the other dogs.

Yeah, But How is She with Other Dogs?

The Stumpy tends to do well with other dogs, but if you put her with too many dogs, she may become aggressive as a defense mechanism.

If you want to take her to the dog park, try to do so when there aren’t as many people around, if possible.

Control That Bark!

The Stumpy is a quiet dog, but she can and will produce a shrill bark if she feels her family might be in danger.

She may also bark when she feels bored, so giving her a lot of play time is crucial to ensuring she remains well-behaved. Something interesting to note: the Stumpy will actually increase the volume of her bark if the family she lives with is especially loud!

A Brief History of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Breed

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog descended from England’s Smithfield herding dogs. These dogs came to England in the early 1800s, and breeders crossed them with – would you believe it – dingoes!

The story of how she got to the U.S. is a rather interesting one. During World War II, soldiers in Australia noticed and liked how this particular dog acted while guarding a flock. When the men got home and found that their own livestock had become wild, they remembered the Stumpy.

They asked Australia to send over “heelers,” and Australia sent over both the Stumpy and the Australian Cattle Dog. To this day, the Stumpy is still the preferred breed over the Australian Cattle Dog.

In later years, the Stumpy has become easier to manage and has lost most of her dingo characteristics. The more modern version of the Stumpy is either short-tailed or tailless, which is her most unique characteristic.

How Do You Train an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog?

The good news is that this breed is extremely easy to train. She can even compete in trials that measure abilities like:

  • Agility
  • Herding capability
  • Showmanship
  • Frisbee skills
  • Tracking skills
  • Obedience
  • Flyball skills

And, as I have mentioned earlier, socialization is more productive with Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs when they’re puppies, rather than trying to socialize an adult. The more interaction she has with people and animals while she’s still very young, the better.

It is always best to use rewards-based training with this breed, rather than harsh scolding or spanking.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a comical problem-solver. She is also eager to please, making it even easier to train her.

Helpful Dog Training Resource:

For help with training your Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Appearance

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, keeping in line with her name, has either a short tail or no tail at all. Experts consider her size to be on the average side.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Colors

Normal Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog colors include blue or red, and their coats can be either mottled or speckled.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Height

The average height for an adult male Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is between 18 and 20 inches tall. An adult female is between 17 and 19 inches tall.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Weight

The average weight for either gender of an adult Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is between 35 and 51 lbs.

How Do You Groom an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog?

You should groom your Stumpy by giving her a gentle weekly brushing, and baths only when necessary.

If shedding is what you’re worried about, worry no more. The Stumpy does not shed, but you do need to trim her nails on a weekly basis.

Overall, the Stumpy requires little care, and you don’t even have to trim her facial or tail hair! I still recommend you brush her weekly, though, because, if nothing else, it encourages you to bond with your dog.

Staying Healthy

Most Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs are healthy dogs, but there are certain health issues you still need to keep an eye out for, such as:

Since these dogs carry the deafness gene, it is a good idea to make sure the breeder you choose, if you go that route, has tested the puppy you’re interested in before you bring her home.

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog's life expectancy is a whopping 13 to 14 years! That’s a long life for a dog! As such, you can look forward to many years of fun times with this dog.

Helpful Dog Health Resource:

Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your dog will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.

Exercise

The Stumpy needs lots of exercise. She needs both physical and mental stimulation daily. You can even hike or backpack with this dog – she loves strenuous activity!

Like many other working dogs, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog has a good deal of energy. As such, she needs a lot of space in which to run around.

You can keep her normally pleasant temperament just as pleasant by giving her much to do. She is a playful dog, so she is happiest when she can plum-tucker herself out.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog vs. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is different from the Australian Cattle Dog in that the latter has a docked tail. The Stumpy, on the other hand, has a natural bobtail. Of course, this is not the only difference between the two dog breeds.

The Stumpy is more athletic and driven than the Cattle Dog, for one thing. For another, she can work in hot temperatures for longer periods of time.

Here are some more physical differences between the two breeds:

  • The Stumpy has a squarer shape and a shorter back, with a much lighter body.
  • The Stumpy’s legs are shorter – much like those of her dingo ancestor.
  • The Stumpy’s ears are pointier and further apart.

Finding the Perfect Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

If you've decided after reading all of this to add an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog puppy to your family, congratulations! There are two ways in which you can do this: adoption or buying one from a breeder.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Puppies for Sale

The average Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog price ranges from $800 to around $2,500. This difference in price depends on many factors, including the location of the breeder (if you choose to go through one) and the lineage of the dog.

Remember – this is only the price of the dog. You also have to factor in regular expenses you’ll need to budget for, like food, vet bills, etc.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Adoption and Rescue

If you would prefer to adopt a Stumpy, many websites list them by state to help make your search easier. Many would-be pet parents prefer to go the rescue route, as they consider this more humane than other methods of acquiring a Stumpy.

Online research can be a big help, as can visiting those local organizations who specialize in assisting families adopt their rescued pets.

You can also check your local shelter. However, if they don’t have a Stumpy available for adoption when you go in, you can always put your name on a list so that when they get one in, you’ll be the first one they notify. Else, keep checking back, as a shelter’s “stock” changes all the time.

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Breeders

The American Kennel Club can help you find an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog by connecting you to a reputable breeder. The AKC’s online resources include lists of approved, breed-specific breeders who have agreed to follow certain ethical rules required by the AKC for placement on the AKC’s list.

Keep in mind that the breeder should have just as many questions for you as you do for her. This helps you feel more comfortable that she wants a good home for her pups just as badly as you do.

Make sure you get copies of the necessary documentation for the pup you want to bring home, including any health clearances. The breeder should have all this ready for you. If not, then this is a huge red flag, and you should find someone else to give your hard-earned money to, as hard as it may be to say goodbye to those pups.

Conclusion: Why the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog?

If you want a dog who is just as energetic as she is faithful to her family, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog temperament makes her a great choice.

If you train your dog early, you can set both of you up for a much easier life for the rest of her life. If you have a family with no other dogs or small animals, but you do have children who love to stay active, the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog will fit in perfectly!

She’s a sensitive soul who knows how you’re feeling and acts accordingly. Though she’s not overly affectionate, she is a nipper. This may make young children uncomfortable, as they may worry she’s biting them when really, she’s just trying to play. Keep her active, and you keep her happy!