Home » Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
The Australian Stumpy Tale Cattle Dog is not an Australian Cattle Dog with a dock tail. There are major structural differences in breed type between the two breeds of cattle dogs. The Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a natural bob-tail breed. Some stumpy tail puppies are born with long tails and should not be left out of the breeding program if they are of structural quality, but have reverted to quality natural bob tails.
There are two schools of thought about the development of the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. During the 1840s, two stockmen in different states of Australia began crossing local working dogs with imported drawer dogs that might have carried natural tailless-ness. It is believed that Stumpy was the first breed developed in Australia. After a few more breeds were included in the development process, the Australians became the Cattle Dog.
The Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog evolved from the ancestors of the early Holls Healer and Timmons Bitters. Breeding emphasized working ability and endurance. By the 1890s, the Cattle Dog was exhibited and early classes included both long-tailed and stump-tailed varieties. By 1917, some of the shows at the Stumpy-tailed Cattle Dogs included 50% of the Cattle Dogs.
Stumpy declined as a baked breed soon after WWI and remained a registered breeder until 1960. By the 80s, Stumpy as a registered breed was close to extinction. The redevelopment program by the Australian National Kennel Council began in 1988 and has been successful in preserving the breed in Australia.
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog was introduced to North America with the Australian Cattle Dog after WWII. However, documented dogs registered with the ANKC were not introduced until the year 2000.
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is the most driven and energetic of all working dogs, with extreme heat tolerances. This breed has been almost exclusively banned as a working dog for almost two hundred years, and is still kept primarily for this purpose. This dog is extremely devoted to its own family, with whom it forms a very close relationship. While this breed prefers to live in the presence of its family, it is an independent dog that will probably be in the same room as its owner compared to its owners. Although rarely fawningly affectionate, this breed will show affection to those who know it best. With proper socialization, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs will usually meet with children they know. However, this breed has a very strong urge to nap at the heel of walking animals which will often be initiated by children. This should be handled very carefully to avoid major problems. For this reason, members of the breed not exposed to children should be carefully observed around them.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days
The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a timeGood quality foods that are prepared at all life stages are recommended. The amount of weaning will vary depending on the level of activity the dog receives daily. Two meals evenly spaced during the day will suffice. Free food can be done until the dog becomes overweight. A high energy feed that contains non-GMO grains works well with these dogs. The transition from puppy food to adult foods is not really necessary.
“Stumpy” has a very high energy level and therefore requires daily exercise, a safe place to run, and mind stimulating work. With high levels of stamina, this breed can perform stock work throughout the day in the unfavorable condition for which it was developed. Hiking, backpacking, and obedience training are essential for a dog’s lifetime to have a healthy body and mind.
Stumpy is a relatively healthy breed and can live for 12 to 15 years. All puppies should undergo a BEAR hearing test because this breed carries the gene for deafness. Progressive retinal atrophy and primary lens ligation have inherited eye problems and all reproductive couples should be DNA tested to make good reproductive decisions.