Australian Cattle Dogs are great companions and family dogs, provided they have had the right up-bringing and training. They are busy, lively dogs who love to be doing something – especially with their owners.
While I would be the first to agree that a home where the dog is loved and well-cared for is a prime requirement, how much nicer for the dog if his mental needs are stretched too?

Picture: A.C.D. Morrow Family
Photographed by Tracy Morgan Animal Photographer.

Cattle Dogs will think up mischief for themselves if their owners do not keep them occupied – anyone who doubts their capabilities should look on-line for Alison Skipper’s Ozzie, who dressed himself from the childrens’ fancy dress clothes box! Honest! He looked very fetching in a hula skirt! And this was a mature male, not a skittish pup up to devilment!
The saying “a tired dog is a good dog” was never so applicable until Australian Cattle Dogs came along.
Agility and Working Trials are both fantastic ways to keep Cattle dogs happy, fit and mentally stimulated as well as being an extremely rewarding activity for dog owners.

The first A.C.D. to enter W.T. in the U.K. was Monica Gibbons’ red dog, Formakin Chintoo at Chippinghey (Flame), soon followed by her blue dog Kapia Blue Boomerang at Chippinghey (Steele) and my Ishcol Rouseabout Blue at Morrow (Broula). Broula was the first one to gain a certificate and went on to qualify C.D.Ex., U.D.ex. and W.D. Open before a ruptured cruciate ligament put a stop to his jumping. Flame and Steele both gained C.D.Ex.




Picture: Ky in agilty action

The first bitch A.C.D. to get a qualification was my Boomerang Blue Alberta at Morrow (Kara) with a certificate in C.D. She did not start training until she was nearly three years old and never really enjoyed it, so was retired. Bryblue Diamond at Morrow (Pippa) and her son, Morrow Blue Aborigine (Smoky) really put Cattle Dogs on the map as far as trials are concerned. Both Pippa and Smoky qualified to compete in T.D. Championship, the first and until recently, the only cattle dogs to do so. Sadly Pippa died before gaining T.D.Ex. but Smoky qualified and so became the first A.C.D. to get a Kennel Club Stud Book number.

Warrigal Blue Kookynie at Morrow (Ky) and Morrow Red Chakola (Mulga) are currently competing when I can make the time and they are not in season! Ky has gained C.D.,U.D.Ex.,W.D.Ex.,T.D. Open and Mulga has C.D.Ex.,U.D.Ex.,W.D.Ex. and T.D.Ex.

To read more about Work Trials Training click here

A.C.D. MORROW PEDIGREES

WARRIGAL BLUE KOOKYNIE AT MORROW CD.UDX.WDX.TD. (Kynie)
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MORROW RED CHAKOLA CDX.UDX.WDX.TDX (Mulga)
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MORROW DIAMOND DREAMING CD.UD. (Yarae)
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Picture: Mulga
Photographed by Stella Carpenter

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