For the next sixty or so weeks, this series will consider the sixty-some dog breeds an unholy alliance of British control freaks wanted to render extinct. Some of them really do get their distinction from dysfunctional genes and you may agree that some dog breeds ought to go extinct, but the position of this web site is that nobody has a right to force that kind of opinion on people who don't share it. I think all cats who show Manx or Rex features should be sterilized so that the breeds die out, but I do not own all of those cats.
So what's their problem with the Australian Cattle Dog, a breed that's become popular in the United States lately?
Where do we begin? Does everyone remember Ajax by Mary Elwyn Patchett? Despite the obvious and childish exaggeration of the original memoir, and outright fictionalization in the sequels, there really was a dingo, the small-wolf-or-big-dog endemic to Australia, who was brought up like a pet dog and became the loyal, trusted pet for an adventurous little girl. And he stood up to anyone who threatened the child, even her unaltered male horse; even the horse had a lot of respect for Ajax. There were, actually, more than one dingo who became fantastic pets, and so people got the idea of crossbreeding dingos with dogs to form a breed, not so big and dangerous as Ajax in the story, but serious dogs, so that every family could have a dog like Ajax.
Although these dogs are typically loyal, intelligent, protective, energetic, and long-lived...one family's list of plus points is another family's list of minus points. It's as if Aussies have their standards for humans, too. They may or may not have time for soppy stuff like snuggling beside you on the couch. They were born to herd cattle. Getting to herd cattle is their reward. If they're not working in synergy with you on a real job, they may not respect you, and may seek satisfaction in things that seem like jobs to them--killing other animals, or terrorizing visitors, or shredding your books...More often, like Roxy in Barking Orders, they'll just become adorably, absurdly, and potentially dangerously bossy as they take over a suburban house or urban flat. They may not bark a lot; they may make it up in growling or even snapping and chivying those whom they want to herd.
This web site has often featured Australian Shepherds, a beautiful (when not genetically disfigured) breed that can be like all the best things about Barkley, Marley, and Lassie...yet they often wind up in shelters because people just aren't smart and energetic enough to bring out the best in them. Australian Shepherds are an American breed developed for qualities that resemble Australian Cattle Dogs. The real Australians present the same challenges Australian Shepherds do, only moreso.
The ideal home for an Australian Cattle Dog, if not a cattle ranch, at least has opportunities for the dog to lead and manage things, preferably by running at high speeds for long distances. Are you a runner? These dogs are hard-wired to train you to become one. There are "dog sports" groups where the dogs learn tricks that use their energy, speed, and agility, which the American Kennel Club strongly recommend for this breed.
And if the dog's favorite human goes away to school or on a job, the rest of the family will at least keep the dog from becoming bored and depressed. Aussies normally live twelve or more years. Adolescent humans' energy levels match theirs so they're likely to bond with teenagers, and parents should not even think about dumping out the dogs, or putting them in shelters, when the teenagers move out. You can't give this type of dog to just any neighbor who does not currently live with a dog.
Some dysfunctional genes are associated with this breed. If you adopt a dog who's already neutered and is healthy, this won't be a concern. If you tell shelter staff you like this breed, however, you may be asked whether you like the breed enough to take a dog who shows the effects of bad genes. The gene that tells some of a dog's hairs not to develop their full color may also tell other parts of the body not to develop their full functionality, resulting in a disabled dog.
So, this is a great breed for the right humans. The right humans are probably a minority. Breeding more Australian Cattle Dogs than are already in these United States is not a good business idea. But there are good homes where these dogs belong.
As always, these Petfinder photo contests call attention to appealing pets who are currently languishing in shelters, hoping the right humans will find them. There's no guarantee that the most appealing photo will be of the most appealing animal, if you go to a shelter and look for a pet. If you are not currently looking for a pet, there are things you can do to boost the chances of these animals--or of others you discover at Petfinder.com, or at a shelter in your neighborhood. Petfinder photos are for sharing with people who might be looking for pets. Some people foster animals at their homes to get the animals out of the unhealthy shelter environment; some organizations will even supply food and subsidize veterinary care if you foster an animal for them. If you trust the organization, you might even want to sponsor an animal for adoption by a good family who may not be wealthy.
This week's categories are Australian Cattle Dogs and crossbreeds--there are unfortunately quite a few of them in shelters--and short-haired, light-colored cats.
Zipcode 10101: Ginkgo from Texas by way of NYC
His web page: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/ginkgo-c6061204-20b4-4d54-9485-fe4118ea1197/ny/new-york/border-paws-of-the-rgv-tx2739/details/
The web page raises some red flags. It's reasonable for people at an animal rescue organization to want to know that people proposing to adopt an Australian Cattle Dog have a reasonable place to keep it, but that doesn't make it a good idea to put photos of your home online, as the organization demand. (You do need a large fenced yard.) They'll also ask for full payment before having the dog brought up from Texas--again, not unreasonable, but you certainly shouldn't make payments online and should use extreme caution about paying in advance for anything. You might want to fly down and bring the dog back, yourself.
Note how different many dogs listed as Australian Cattle Dog crossbreeds look from the breed standard...they may have had a pedigreed parent or grandparent, but their other ancestors were different kinds of dog! Temperament, as well as physical traits, go into the choice of which breed shelter staff list for a mixed breed dog, so although retriever or hound or some other kind of ancestry may show, they're probably listed as Australian Cattle Dogs because they're energetic, athletic, tough, and bossy.
Waffle from NYC
His web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/waffle-556e0f4a-d724-4c42-85dd-7afafd91e3fa/ny/new-york/anjellicle-cats-rescue-ny488/details/
Just a year old, this affectionate little neutered tomcat would love to share a purrmanent home with his brother Pancake and/or shelter buddies Croissant and Benedict. He likes petting and attention from humans and lots of racing and chasing with the other tomkittens he's grown up with, so far as he has grown up.
20202: Miss Rosie from DC
She's a puppy, not yet three months old in this photo, but she's expected to be a big energetic muscular dog, possibly over 60 pounds. Are you athlete enough to keep up with this dog? She seems intelligent, like most dogs rescued by this organization; they recommend at least some formal education.
Lilly from South Carolina by way of DC
Lilly is described as a large cat (over 12 pounds) but wary. She is known to get along well with calm, mature dogs. She wasn't very cuddly at first but has started climbing onto her foster humans' laps. She has a free ride along the Atlantic coast; if you live further inland, transportation may cost extra.
30303: Lena from Atlanta
It might be hound ancestors that make Lena more willing to cuddle than some Australian Cattle Dogs are. Still, you'll need a good fence around a big yard where she can run about. Lena has done well with other dogs and might work off some of her adolescent energy leading a pack. She's not quite a year old and not quite up to 25 pounds; she probably has some growing to do. Possible deterrent: HSUS shelter.
Oingo (and Boingo) from Texas by way of Atlanta
Her web page: https://www.petfinder.com/cat/oingo-40e35b23-6a22-40df-b77f-5fdc2fc8de68/ga/atlanta/lears-legacy-tx2906/details/
I do not, of course, agree with an e-friend who said that gray tabbies are the cats all the other cats wish they could be. Gray tabbies are the most common color, the basic cat color; they tend to be very nice cats. In shelters they may seem to lack distinction. So then to give them a suggestion of distinction somebody names them something ridiculous. Seriously? My mouse pad finger hovered over the button for this cat, then thought, no, in that position her camouflage stripes looked a bit weird, and in any case I didn't want to recommend the idea of calling anyone "Oingo." There were more serious reasons why you might prefer to meet Oingo instead of the other cat, though.. She seems ready to move into almost any kind of good home, good with other cats, dogs, and children, and if you have room for her brother Boingo too, all to the good. They're on the small side; they're young and may grow a little bigger. They are in Texas and, as a result, have a preposterous adoption fee. If you go to Texas the price might be more reasonable there.
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