Description: The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) is a medium-sized dog. They are known as a red or blue heeler. This is because their coats have black or brown hair through out their white coat. ACD’s are known for their high level of intelligence, energy, and for wanting to herd animals. They like to keep busy and may even heard your family members. To keep the ACD out of mischief, owners should give them a task or job to focus on. This will encourage positive behavior.
History: Originating in Australia, a man name named Thomas Hall crossed the Dingo with the Blue Smooth Highland Collie. This breed was named “Hall’s Heelers”. After Thomas Hall passed away, the breed was free to travel outside of his family and then the common name, American Cattle Dog was used.
Size: The ACD measures, on average, 43 to 51 centimeters. These dogs are longer than they are tall and weigh about 33-49 pounds.
Temperament: The ACD is a very smart breed, they were ranked 10th on the Stanly’s Coren’s “Intelligence of Dogs”. When meeting strangers, the ACD may become reserved and cautious. Some owners have trained them to become loyal watch dogs. If you plan on having them around lots of individuals, it is encouraged to work with them on meeting new people. That way they feel more at ease. ACD are known for their amazing companionship and loyalty to their family.
Grooming: ACD’s do not shed year round. It is said that males blow their coat once a year and females twice. When this happens, it is encouraged to give them a warm bath and brush them. They also need regular maintenance on their nails and teeth.
Health: After reading up on the ACD, the most common health concerns were deafness and blindness. It was also reported that both of these issues were hereditary. Due to such an active life-style ACD are prone to injuries. This was noted as the “most common health risk”.
Exercise: The ACD are a very active breed. These dogs need a task to complete at all times. They were bread as a herding animal and need a lot of exercise due to their high-strung personality. Some owners have their dogs compete in speed and agility courses. This will keep them very active.
Lifespan: ACD generally age well, especially when they are kept active throughout their life. The average lifespan is 11-13 years.
Trivia: A blue heeler was featured in the movie Mad Max 2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Cattle_Dog http://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_australian_cattle_dog
http://www.animalplanet.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/herding/australian-cattle-dog.html
The Doghouse Rumor 
Thank you for that great information! A blue color one was in our family, she looked like a racoon. All is true very loyal to the family, in fact my “Gracie” would not go to anyone but who was in our family. She was also very protective. She ended up missing a shunt to her liver and having grand mall seizures. The last one took her life. Want to have another one someday. A Pembroke Welsh Corgi has also been part of my family. Cattle dogs are the most intelligent dogs.