Australian Cattle Dog dog
Medium breed active energy Short coat Herding Group ๐ŸŒ Australia

Australian Cattle Dog

Alert, Curious, Pleasant

Standing between 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder, the Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, hard-muscled herder of strength and agility. The ACD is born with a white coat that turns blue-gray or red. Both coat varieties feature distinctive mottling or specking patterns. ACDs have imโ€ฆ

โš–๏ธ 35โ€“50 lbs (15.88โ€“22.68 kg) ๐Ÿ“ 17โ€“20" ๐ŸŽ‚ 12โ€“16 yr lifespan ๐Ÿง  Intelligence #10 (Brightest)

Australian Cattle Dog Characteristics

Energy

100%

Shedding

80%

Trainability

20%

Grooming

20%

Friendliness

40%

Coat Type

Short coat

Occasional Bath/Brush

Breed Data

๐Ÿง 
#10
Intelligence
๐ŸŽ‚
11.7yr
Avg lifespan
๐Ÿ’ฐ
$20K
Lifetime cost
๐Ÿ–
$466/yr
Annual food
๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง
Great
With kids
๐Ÿฉบ
1
Known conditions

Known genetic concerns: hip problems

Expert Picks for Australian Cattle Dogs

โญ Top Pick Taste of the Wild High Prairie

dog food

Taste of the Wild High Prairie

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.7

Best value grain-free option โ€” great for active dogsโ€ฆ

KONG Extreme Dog Toy

toys

KONG Extreme Dog Toy

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.7

The #1 chew toy for heavy chewers โ€” nothing else comes closeโ€ฆ

K&H Pet Products Elevated Dog Bed

beds

K&H Pet Products Elevated Dog Bed

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.5

Best cooling bed โ€” essential for flat-faced breeds and dogs in warm clโ€ฆ

Embark Dog DNA Test Kit

health

Embark Dog DNA Test Kit

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.5

Best DNA test overall โ€” unmatched health screening depthโ€ฆ

Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar

training

Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.4

Best GPS collar for active owners โ€” 3-month battery is class-leadingโ€ฆ

Skout's Honor Probiotic Dog Grooming Spray

grooming

Skout's Honor Probiotic Dog Grooming Spray

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4.5

Best probiotic coat spray โ€” supports skin microbiome health between baโ€ฆ

Australian Cattle Dog Care Tips

โœ“

Requires 90+ minutes vigorous exercise daily โ€” fetch, agility, or long hikes.

โœ“

Heavy shedder โ€” brush 3-4ร— per week and deShed weekly to manage coat.

All Australian Cattle Dog Guides

FCI Classification

FCI Group

Group 1 โ€” Sheepdogs and Cattledogs

Section

Veedrijvers

Status

recognized