Is an ACD the right dog breed for you?

The safest thing to say is NO! (this is probably one of the most important articles on our blog – feel free to read it!)

that's our Mrok when he was 3 months old

Yes, I know, nowadays you shouldn't write like that, it would be best to suggest in a nice way to reconsider the decision to live with an ACD. In the end, you will decide for yourself whether you want to live with an ACD - so I'd rather give you a clear idea of what it might mean to live with an ACD. I hope this helps you solve the dilemmas... that you should have. Have you noticed that in most cases, dog celebrities, breeders, and people who present dogs almost always talk about them in a positive way? It is extremely rare to hear or see that training has failed, that the dog has bitten its owner, or that our sweet pet has unresolved problems related to its (or our) character. The latter are presented in a humorous way, almost always making the viewer smile. A torn cushion, a messed-up bed, chewed-up shoes and the owner standing over the seemingly ashamed dog asking him: “Who did this?”

We will write about this in the training section. How do people choose a dog? 

When ACDs are very small, they are all white in color - Mrok and his mother

Usually on impulse. It could be a movie (that was the case for me), meeting a dog of that breed, the opinion of friends, or for aesthetic reasons – you just like the dog and that's it. The internet is full of videos with dogs described as super cute or super sweet. This does not help someone who, when choosing a breed, should find out about as many potential problems as possible before deciding to invite a dog to live with them. These fun moments will happen every day. Instead of watching videos, it’s better to experience them with your dog 😊. Have you ever seen a large cow?

The first time Mrok saw a herd of cows

It weighs over half a ton. Bulls are 20% heavier. Why am I writing about this? Just a moment... An elephant weighs 5-6 tons and often wanders along riverbeds. ACDs (Australian Cattle Dogs) are a breed that was developed several hundred years ago to work with such animals (elephants are one of the more interesting stories related to the conditions under which ACDs can work). Heavy cattle, often kicking the dog in the head. A dog at work should not bark, but act. It must notice what the herd is doing and react. ACDs “move” the bullsby nipping at the heels of livestock to keep them moving (hence another popular name for ACDs: Blue or Red Heeler). Although the bull is many times heavier than the small ACD and tries to kick it, the dog has to choose which leg to pinch so that the bull does not lose its balance and fall over. Dust, high temperatures, working for many hours, perfect communication with their handler, quick and independent decision-making and full concentration on the task at hand. This is what the ACD was made for. Most sources mention the clever Collie and Kelpie, as well as the Dingo, an extremely resilient hunter that cleverly hunts even large animals at night. Other breeds that have influenced the ACD are the Bull Terrier and the Dalmatian. Medium-sized, very muscular, intelligent, loyal, resistant to weather conditions, able to run for many kilometers, task-oriented and hard-working. These are just some of the characteristics of the ACD, which is also our Mrok. Where do we make mistakes when choosing a dog? In my opinion, we choose the characteristics that suit us best and anthropomorphize these characteristics. Let's see what such a mistake might look like with an ACD. Loyal, extremely intelligent, learns easily. The problem is that you can't turn off the rest of the dog's characteristics. How does it work? ACDs learn quickly. Sometimes 2-3 repetitions are enough for them to master a skill. We humans think, “Wow, he really is intelligent.” Once an ACD has mastered a skill, it tries to use it in real life. If it doesn't work, it adapts the skill to its needs or performs it reluctantly.

little Mrok learns fast

Example: We teach the dog to lie on a chair because we don't want it to lie in bed. The ACD will quickly understand what we want and will be happy to lie on the chair. It will easily realize that the chair makes it easier for it to get on the table, and the table allows it to jump on the tall cabinet where the box of treats is. Did I mention that ACDs are extremely lively? No? Well, they are exceptionally lively 😊. You come home and there is a box of treats, a family vase in pieces and your wife's favorite clock on the floor? You have shown your ACD how to do it yourself. If we don't keep the ACD busy with training, it may not climb on the tall cupboard, but it will tear up grandpa's favorite armchair instead. It will start chasing passers-by and cyclists, and may have accidents while chasing large cars. It will bite anyone who moves quickly. It may bite its guardian because it uses its teeth to communicate. It may not tolerate other dogs. How much time do you need to devote to an ACD so that it feels good?  More than you think. Trying to turn an ACD into a couch potato dog will not end well – this dog needs to fulfill its needs, and if you do not provide it with such opportunities, it will quickly start trying to do it on its own, which will be frustrating at first and then can turn into serious behavioral problems. Physical needs make up 1/3, 2/3 is stimulating ACD intelligence.

Mrok often floats on a canoe

Do you run a lot and spend every weekend on hours-long mountain trips? Do you like kayaking? Do you ride a bike because you don't want to waste time taking the car out of the garage? On top of that, do you have a strong but calm character? Are you determined to adapt your life to the needs of someone next to you? If so, it might be time to visit a trusted ACD breeder and spend some time with them, so that the idea of a dozen or so years of living together with this extraordinary dog, different from all others, starts right now. ACD is a very proud dog that will give you its heart if you become its partner, not just its guardian. He will go wherever you tell him to without hesitation because ACD will trust you unconditionally if you trust him and let him live the way he likes and feels best.

After a day of cycling, the team fell asleep

Now that you have a clearer understanding, you might feel more confident in your decision—whether it's to get an ACD or to choose a different breed .