Australian cattle dogs are healthy species of dog with few health-related hereditary conditions.
The Australian cattle dog--also called the Queensland, Hall's or Blue Heeler--is a medium-sized herding dog. They are known for their blue mottled and red speckled coat and active, affectionate and playful personalities. Australian cattle dogs are a healthy breed of dog; however, they are prone to certain health conditions associated with the ears, eyes and bones. Lack of exercise and weight gain can also pose problems for these dogs.
Ears
Deafness is a common affliction in the Australian cattle dog. Hearing loss is an inheritable, lifelong, incurable condition, nevertheless such dogs can make good pets. Deafness can be tested for in puppies using brainstem auditory evoked response testing.
Eyes
Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease commonly found in Australian cattle dogs that causes the retina to gradually deteriorate. Early onset of this disease is associated with loss of night vision. As the disease progresses, the dog's vision becomes limited and is finally lost. Dogs with this condition can learn to adapt to their loss of vision well, if their environment remains consistent. When you purchase your Australian cattle dog puppy, your breeder should include documentation from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation certifying that dog's eyes are normal and healthy.
Bones
Conditions associated with bones and joints found in the Australian cattle dog are osteochondritis dissecans and elbow or hip dysplasia. Osteochondritis dissecans is a condition that involves the degeneration of the joints. Elbow or hip dysplasia cause the ball joint not to fit properly into the elbow or hip socket. Both conditions are inheritable and cause pain and disability in dogs. Arthritis can also develop in elderly Australian cattle dogs, causing discomfort and limitation in movement. Your veterinarian will need to perform X-rays to diagnosis these problems. When purchasing a puppy, ask your breeder for documentation from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to illustrate that your puppy's parents do not suffer from these conditions.
Weight
The Australian cattle dog can become overweight if its physical needs are not met. The Australian cattle dog requires daily vigorous exercise workouts, such as jogging or long-distance hiking. Walking on a leash is not sufficient exercise to meet their needs. Australian cattle dogs are herding dogs by nature, as a result they excel at herding actives, which allow them to be active.
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