The demand for a dog that could work cattle in Australia’s extremely harsh environment led to the development of the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog breed in the early 1830s. The breed that exists now is the product of many years of deliberate planning and deliberate breeding by committed individuals. The ‘Stumpy’ is a combination of three dog breeds. The gene that is still present in the Stumpy today originated from the first cross between the Dingo and the Smithfield, an English breed of dog with naturally bob tails. The offspring of these matings were then mixed with the blue merle Collie with a smooth coat, also known as the German Coolie. This resulted in the creation of a dog breed that is still regarded as the best working dog in the world by cattlemen to this day. The Australian cattle dog with a stumpy tail is a bright, energetic dog who is devoted to her owner. Find out more about adjusting to the exuberant “stumpy.”
Overview
Though there aren’t many of them in the wild, the Australian stumpy tail cow dog is definitely a distinct breed. Don’t mix it with the Australian cattle dog. Whether it’s working with cows in the pasture or participating in dog sports, she’s an expert at it. The Australian stumpy tail cow dog, which has a shoulder length of 17 to 20 inches and a weight of 32 to 45 pounds, is regarded as brave and utterly faithful to her master.
Because the stumpy is a high-energy working dog, she need modest exercise each day to maintain her mental and physical stimulation. She’ll like going for a run or a trip in the woods if you don’t have a field full of cows to tend to, and she’s quite good at dog sports like obedience, agility, and herding.
Appearance
The Australian stumpy tail cattle dog (also called a “stumpy”) is a double-coated breed that ranges in height from 17 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weight from 32 to 45 pounds. Both the undercoat and the outer coat are dense, short, and straight, but they are softer. The breed may have red or blue coloring. Dogs that are blue in color can be solid or mottled, and they may have black markings on their bodies and heads. Red dogs can have speckles, with red patches on their body and darker red markings on their heads.
The moniker “stumpies” comes from the way their tails naturally bob (they are not docked). Although some stumpies are born with long tails, the breed standard specifies that a tail should not be longer than 10 centimeters.
An Australian cattle dog with a stumpy tail can be mistaken for an Australian cattle dog. But you’ll quickly be able to distinguish between the two once you understand their differences. The stumpy is more square-shaped, having a body length that is equal to her height, as opposed to the more rectangular Australian cattle dog. In addition, the ears of an Australian cattle dog are spread widely apart, whereas the ears of a stumpy are raised high on the head.
Temperament
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Society of the U.S. describes stumpies as vigorous, vigilant, fearless, alert, watchful, and obedient. The breed is versatile enough to work as a farmhand, police and military canine, therapy dog, agility champion, loving family dog, and search-and-rescue dog.
“The temperamental traits of stumpy dogs originate from their intended task of herding livestock by biting their heels, which is why these breeds of cattle dogs are occasionally called ‘heelers,'” explains Stephanie Sheen, DVM, a veterinary specialist affiliated with Fuzzy. Since they were watch dogs on the farm, warning of potential intruders, they tend to be a little standoffish, especially with strangers.
Australian cattle dogs and Australian stumpy tail cattle dogs differ from one another in more ways than just appearance. Stumpies are more lovable than their Australian cattle dog counterparts, according to Hyla Burleson, who has owned and worked with them since 1979. They will be “in your lap, in your face saying, ‘let’s play, let’s cuddle.'”
Burleson adds that stupies are more energetic than ACDs and are “on all the time,” even when it comes to bedtime.
“An Australian cattle dog will sleep at your feet, but a stumpy will sleep 2–3 feet away from you, ready to go,” says Burleson.
Australian stumpy tail cattle dogs are energetic and energetic animals that make great playmates for older children. However, their boisterous nature may be too much for some families to handle.
Living Needs
Despite their independence, stumpies are devoted to their families and may even want to be the only furry child at home. Puppies of Australian stumpy tail cattle dogs get along well with cats and other dogs if socialized early on, but they usually want to be your only four-legged buddy.
Canines with a high level of energy, huskies require an abundance of mental and physical stimulation. But it’s not always a deal-breaker if your backyard isn’t large enough to be fenced in. Australian stumpy tail cattle dogs make good suburban apartment or condo pets, provided their owners are aware of the time commitment these animals demand.
“Problems come when there’s not enough mental stimulation,” says Burleson. “Don’t merely insert them.”
Even with simple puzzles or interactive toys, stumpies require a lot of movement and activities to keep their minds active.
“Because they are intelligent with lots of energy to spare, if they aren’t given a task to do they might find one of their own choosing, which can lead to undesirable behaviors,” Sheen explains. Because they are a working breed, stubbies are highly energetic—this is no place for couch potatoes! A family that wants to become stumpy should be active together. If they aren’t allowed to go on daily, lengthy runs, they will probably be unhappy living in apartments.”
Care
Caring for your Australian stumpy tail cattle dog is relatively simple, aside from making sure they receive enough mental and physical stimulation. She doesn’t need a lot of personal care. In actuality, she requires very little grooming—a weekly brushing with a slicker and a tiny tooth comb will keep her coat in good shape, and she only needs to be bathed when she gets dirty.
As with all dogs, make sure yours is free of infections in her ears, that her teeth are brushed frequently, and that her nails are clipped when you get home.
Stumpies are loyal and intelligent dogs that adapt well to training, particularly when given a schedule. According to Burleson, the first thing you should do after bringing home a puppy Australian stumpy tail cattle dog is to set up a routine. For instance, wait to leave the house until you’ve cleared the doorway and are prepared to go after you walk out the front door. Like all dogs, your stumpy will be courteous and well-mannered if she receives constant, positive reinforcement training throughout her life.
Health
The lifespan of a stumpie is 12 to 15 years, and while they are generally healthy, pet parents should be aware of a few health risks. “Deafness does run in the breed, so all puppies should be BAER hearing tested,” says Sheen. “Inherited eye issues can also be a problem, so potential breeding pairs should be DNA tested for progressive retinal atrophy and primary lens luxation before breeding.” If you notice any changes in your pup, contact your veterinarian. Other than these potential conditions, your Australian stumpy tail cattle dog should visit the veterinarian for routine examinations and vaccinations.
History
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog Society of the U.S. states that stumpies are thought to have been the original breed created in Australia. Stumpies and Australian cattle dogs are believed to have originated from two different breeds of working dogs that were created in the 1840s.
Despite never having a large population, stumpies’ numbers continued to drop after World War I, and by the 1980s, the breed was all but extinct. The Australian National Kennel Council worked to preserve the breed, and as more people learn about these adaptable canines, the breed’s population is increasing.
