Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle
Breed summary
The Stumpy is a normally proportioned, rugged dog with pricked (standing up) ears and long legs. The breed’s most distinctive feature, for which the breed is named, is the frequent lack of a tail. When there is a tail, it is quite short, no longer than 10 cm. The length of the body, from the point of the breastbone to the buttocks, is equal to the height of the dog, measured at the withers.
Country of Origin: Australia
AKC Breed Popularity:
AKC Classification: Foundation Stock Service
UKC Classification: Herding Dog
Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day
Height: Female: 17-19 inches; Male: 18-20 inches
Weight: Female: 32-35 lbs.; Male: 38-45 lbs.
Physical traits: Well-balanced, Solid, Muscular
Coat: Length: Medium
Characteristics: Dense
Colors: Blue, Red speckle, Blue & Black
Overall Grooming Needs: Low
Personality traits/Temperament: Alert, Trainable, Comical
Energy Level: Very energetic
Tendency to Drool: Low
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: Low
Tendency to Dig: Low
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Health care
The Stumpy is a healthy breed and has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. All pups should be BEAR hearing tested as this breed carries the gene for deafness. Progressive Retinal Atrophy and Primary Lens luxation are inherited eye problems and all breeding pairs should be DNA screened to make good breeding decisions.
Nutrition
Good quality foods that are formulated to all life stages is recommended. Feeding amounts will vary depending upon the activity levels the dog gets daily. Two Meals equally spaced during the day will suffice. Free feeding can be done as long as the dog does not get overweight. A high energy feed that has non-GMO grains seems to work well with these dogs. Add a high quality multivitamin to complete the nutritional circle. Transitioning from puppy food to adult foods is unnecessary.
Training
Easily trained, using reward-based methods. Problem-solving and comical in nature. Temperament ranges from people friendly to a bit wary of strangers. Great with known persons. Can be a bit of a watchdog and alert owners to strangers nearing their property. Amenable to judges exams in the show rings.
Exercise
The “Stumpy” has a very high energy level and therefore needs daily exercise, a secure place to run, and mind-stimulating work. With a high level of stamina, this breed can work stock all day in adverse conditions for which it was developed. Hiking, backpacking, and obedience training are essential for a healthy body and mind for the lifetime of the dog. Use paw balm to protect their feet.
Fun fact:
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is related to the wild Dingo.