The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of dog in the Herding Group. Australian Cattle Dogs were recognized by the AKC in 1980, and accepted into the AKC in 1999. Today, ACDs remain one of the most popular herding dogs in Australia.
The Australian Cattle Dog should be muscular, athletic and substantial in appearance and have any trace of weakness or fragility. Excessively heavy or cumbersome Australian Cattle Dogs are undesirable as it limits agility, a necessity for any good cattle herder. Along with athleticism, symmetry and balance are also essential and no individual part of the dog should be exaggerated or draw excessive attention. Whether bred for companionship or show purposes, ACDs should have well-conditioned, hard muscles.
Australian Cattle Dogs have high energy and active minds. Due to the ACD's personality, it is important for an owner to quickly establish a hierarchy in which they are the dog's pack leader. Otherwise, the young Australian Cattle Dogs may bond to another, rather than to its owner.
Australian Cattle Dogs can live over 15 years of age, but the ACD's average life expectancy is a little over 11 years of age. Australian Cattle Dogs have relatively little health problems, but as they age ACDs can be prone to arthritis and a degenerative eye condition known as progressive retinal atrophy.