Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Temperament
Alert, Active, Biddable
[4]An Australian cattle-driving dog
The FCI standard gives Australia as its origin and says it was deliberately bred from the early 19th century to control and herd cattle. It presents more than one account of the breed’s founders rather than choosing one.
[1]A naturally short tail
The standard describes a rugged working dog with body length equal to height at the withers. Its tail is undocked and naturally no longer than 10 cm.
[1]Blue or red-speckled coat
The moderately short outer coat is straight and dense, over a short soft undercoat. FCI accepts blue or blue mottled with black markings on head or body. Red speckling should be even through the undercoat, with darker red head markings and red body patches permitted. White or cream coat is a serious fault; tan markings are disqualifying.
[1]A distinct Australian cattle-working dog
The UKC treats the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog as a distinct Australian breed, describing it as a cousin of the Australian Cattle Dog rather than a dock-tailed version of that breed. Its standard emphasizes cattle work and a rugged build for long periods of demanding work.
[2]A nearly square build and a natural bobtail
The UKC standard says body length, measured from the point of the breastbone to the buttocks, equals height at the withers. The naturally bobbed, undocked tail is no longer than four inches. This description helps distinguish the breed from dock-tailed Australian Cattle Dogs.
[2]A double coat in blue or red speckled patterns
The coat is double, with a moderately short, dense outer coat and a short, soft undercoat. The UKC standard accepts blue or red speckled and mottled patterns; its standard describes blue coats without red and red coats without blue.
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