Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog took shape in 19th century Australia, crossing dingoes with herding dogs brought over by settlers to get a tough dog capable of moving cattle across huge, hot stretches of land. An adult weighs around 20 kilograms on a compact, muscular frame, and the naturally short tail, often shorter than a docked tail on other breeds, gave the breed its name. The short, dense double coat handles the heat well. Unlike its close relative the Australian Cattle Dog, this breed stayed rarer even at home. It works by nipping at cattle's heels to move them along, a habit that can carry over into the household if not properly redirected. It needs a substantial amount of physical and mental work every day. Life expectancy runs 12 to 15 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog: how old in human years?

43–51 cmHeight
16–20 kgWeight
12–15 yrsLife expectancy

South Russian Shepherd Dog

FCI group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI section: Section 2: Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI: 351
Country of origin: Australia

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 46–51 cm

Females 43–48 cm

Weight

Males 16–20 kg

Females 16–20 kg

Life expectancy

12–15 yrs

Coat

short, dense double coat (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 5/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 2/5

Guarding & Alertness

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog's guarding and alertness traits are high.

Guarding instinct 4/5
Watchfulness 5/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

Have a look at the back end: where a tail would be there is a short, natural stump, and the dog is born that way. Nobody shortened its energy, though. In Australia these dogs moved cattle across enormous stretches of pasture, and they still go looking for work; if you don't give it a job, it will invent one, and you probably won't like it.

It is very bright and learns fast, so it loves obedience work, agility, tracking or any sport that needs both brains and legs. Where you will need patience is elsewhere: the cattle dog in it wants to round up running children, cyclists and cats, sometimes with a gentle nip at the heels, and that has to be redirected from the very first days. A flat is too small for it; a fenced yard plus real daily activity suits it best.

It is devoted to its own people and happily follows you from room to room, but it is suspicious of strangers and announces every arrival loud and clear. It makes a fine guardian, which is exactly why early socialisation is not an extra but a must: as many new people, places and sounds as possible while it is young. In the evening, after a good day's work, it curls up at your feet and still keeps one eye on the door.

Grooming and coat

The short, dense double coat is proper workwear: it keeps out dust, rain and sun with little help from you. A weekly once-over with a rubber brush or grooming mitt is enough, and when the undercoat changes, brush a few times a week; during those weeks you will find fine hairs everywhere. Baths are rarely needed, since the coat sheds dirt on its own and frequent washing only dries out the skin.

Use brushing time to look at the skin, because scratches, ticks or red patches after a day outdoors show up just then. Check the upright ears once a week for dirt or a bad smell, and the eyes after a windy or dusty walk; wipe away any sleep with a damp cloth, and take an eye that is red or watering to the vet.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog was made to work open country through heat and dust, and a healthy one is tough, tireless and can live twelve to fifteen years. A few inherited conditions are linked to the breed, touching hearing, joints and eyes, so it pays to know your dog well and notice when it hears, moves or sees differently from before. If you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Deafness

Deafness is a loss of hearing in one or both ears, and it can be present from birth. You might notice a puppy that doesn't turn when you rustle the biscuit bag behind it, or doesn't wake when you call its name. A Stumpy Tail is intensely watchful and tracks your every move, so even a deaf one can learn hand signals beautifully; talk your puppy's hearing through with a vet.
Hip dysplasia

This is a developmental fault of the hip joint: the ball of the thigh bone sits badly in its socket, and the joint wears over time. You might see your dog getting up slowly after a rest, reluctant to jump, or running with a bunny hop, both hind legs moving together. Sound hips matter a great deal to a working dog that is on the move all day, so show changes like these to a vet.
Elbow dysplasia

The bones of the elbow don't grow together quite smoothly, so the joint wears unevenly and starts to hurt. You might notice a limp in a front leg, especially after hard play or first thing in the morning before your dog has warmed up. A Stumpy Tail tends to work through pain without complaint, so watch how it moves and take any change to a vet.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

In this inherited disease the retina at the back of the eye slowly wastes away, and the dog gradually loses its sight, starting with vision in dim light. You might notice your dog moving uncertainly in the evening, bumping into things or not wanting to go out into a dark yard. It isn't painful, and a dog this good with its nose and ears adapts remarkably well, but changes in sight are worth showing to a vet.
Primary lens luxation

The lens of the eye is held in place by fine fibres; when they weaken, the lens can slip out of position. You might see an eye that is suddenly red, watering or squinting, cloudy, or being rubbed with a paw. It is painful and can damage sight quickly, so an eye like that needs a vet immediately.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (20 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 260 g of dry food a day, from €14,13 a month For a neutered, normally active 18 kg dog. Calculate for your dog