They're gorgeous, I want one. Now tell me the bad news..... I'm not a first time dog-owner but I have no experience of this breed and I'd like to know what I'm letting myself in for before I get one. If anyone has a tale to tell about this breed, I'd really appreciate hearing it.

Answer on the board or to:
ResearchQueen@aol.com

PS Happy New Year! (Is that really the time....?)

yes that really is the time happy new year . Im sure I have some literature on them I judged them last oct in the a. v .n. c. and I was in love as well .they are brilliant on the move and so lovable. I will look for the literature tomorrow mari

A.V.N.C.? Excuse my ignorance, but what is that? Thank you for your reply, anyway....I want to be as fully versed on the breed as I can be before approaching any breeders. Of course, breeders could probably tell me everything I want to know, but I'm wary of being "brainwashed" into a potential sale.

Thanks again, Mari.

Any other takers?

ResearchQueen.

Welcome to the forum and a new year RQ Leigh

Thanks for your welcome, Leigh. Reading through most of the postings last night (I really need to get a life!) it seems I've found a friendly and informative board...just what I was looking for!!!

that was thoughtless of me. it means they have not a class of their own,hence .any variety not classified . I fully agree with you that you should not rush into things , what is the old saying, act in haste repent at leisure best wishes ....mari

Ah-ha!!!! It all becomes clearer...thank you again, Mari. I remember reading somewhere (KC site, perhaps) that the breed is not formally recognised in the UK yet, so the dogs cannot be awarded a Champion certificate (or something).

I may be opening up a can of worms here, and Mr/Ms Moderator (Sir), please forgive a newbie for going off topic so soon, but why can't the UK Kennel Club just take the Australian Kennel Club's breed standard as their own? (Seems to me the Aussies would know what they're talking about.....Cue gales of laughter from judging types who the intracacies (sp?) of these things more than I do...)

PS Double checked with Cattledogs.com - seems the Yanks hold the breed standards register.Ooops!

There is a lady near me, who has come to UK to live with her male INt Ch Cattledog, and she now has a bitch pup from UK stock. she doesn't breed as yet. I am sure she would give you a warts and all idea of what they are like.

With my own breed, which is very people loving, and has a lot of cuddle appeal, I like to take visitors out with my lot to the Country Park. They can then see their level of Obedience, and that they are naturally independant. They can see that they will come when called, but that they don't trot at your side, and like to go into the bushes being nosey, and will naturally move a fair distance away, which means training them to keep returning to check where you are, or not to go out of sitght.

They can see how they are when other dogs and people approach, and get a general feel for them. the exuberant welcome they give when visitors come, as well as the fact that they quickly settle in the house, and youhardly know they are their. they can see their alertness, and likely reaction by barking, and how I keep this in acceptable bounds.

None of theis can bve learnt from seeing dogs at a show, especially on a bench, though their ability to deal with stress can be assessed.

This lady has an advert on the Cattle Dog Club page in this years Dog World Annual: Angela Cocker, and she lives in Bristol. Tel: 0117 955 0195

Brainless, thank you very much for the reply.

[Note to self: get the Dog World annual!]

I understand how seeing a dog in a showring would give a certain impression, favourable in one sense but misleading in another. It was always my intention to try an visit someone with an ACD to see how they interact with people, especially children, other animals - domestic and farm stock, etc to get a more realistic idea of the breed's nature.

Ultimately, all dogs are individuals and even within a breed (I've found) personalities can be so different. I was brought up with English springers and still to this day cannot believe I actually saw one being vicious. It's naive, I know, but at the time I was totally shocked as it was so opposed to the nature of the breed I thought I knew so well. Experience, eh?

HI

I don't really know anything about the breed myself, but a lady I know has a pup which she calls the "Cattle Kid".

She finds the dog very vocal, very very busy, very clever, with a strong instinct. I would suspect quite a challenge - the pup, a bitch, seems to be constantly using her brain to direct the pack and manipulate and always has done. Sorry I'm probably not putting this very well, I'm just trying to get across what she has told me!

Lindsay

the only ones ive had anything to do with where VERY dominant with other dogs, also a bit of a challenge for their owners, like a lot of cattle dog they need above average stimulation,
i too agree with them being verbal,and have had on a couple of occasions witnessed one hanging from another dog that it took a dislike too,
i would imagine they wont be for a first time owner, breeders may tell you different, i can only tell you what ive seen of them ,it really doesn't mean theyre all like that!

I knew a guy who had one. He was single, the dog was like his kid. They went everywhere together! The guy was a roofer and taught the dog how to climb ladders and sit with him on the roof as he worked. The dog was very smart and very intense. They were a match made in heaven!
Quinn

If only all dogs could live like that - I wonder about the dogs that belong to 'homeless' folk and sometimes think they have a better life that the dog that belongs to a couple who work 9-5. They're with their owner all day everyday - not shut in and expected to 'behave' until the owner comes home and deigns to give it some attention.............
Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Fran