AUSTRALIAN STUMPY TAIL CATTLE DOG

AUSTRALIAN STUMPY TAIL CATTLE DOG

FCI-Standard N° 351 / 13. 07. 2005 / GB

ORIGIN : Australia.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 06.07.2005.

UTILIZATION : As the name implies the dog’s prime function, and one in which he has no peer, is the control and herding of cattle in both wide open and confined areas, as well as in harsh conditions. Always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous and trustworthy, with an implicit devotion to duty making it an ideal working cattle dog.

CLASSIFICATION FCI : Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattledogs except Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs.
Section 2 Cattledogs (except Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs)
Without working trials.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The "Stumpy Tail" has a long history in Australia and was carefully bred for herding cattle in the early-19th Century. There are two schools of thought as to the actual founder of the breed. The first version is a Thomas Simpson Hall; cross-mated the Northern English herding dogs, Smithfields with the indigenous Australian Dingos creating the first Australian cattle dog to be known as Hall’s Heeler (circa 1830). The second version a drover named Timmins of Bathurst New South Wales in 1830 mated a Smithfields with the Australian Native Dog, the Dingo, the progeny, red bob-tailed dogs were known as "TIMMINS BITERS". The dogs were great workers, but proved to be too severe on the stock. Another cross was needed. A smooth haired blue merle Collie was introduced, this established an excellent all round dog, the ancestor of the present day Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.



The Smithfield introduced the natural bob-tail, the Dingo the red colouring as well as a natural acceptance of the harsh outback conditions. The blue colouring came from the blue merle Collie, which were also known as German Coolies.
Generally "Stumpy Tails"were bred in the spacious rural areas of Australia and only a small number were registered in the Stud Books. In 2001, this long-standing breed was renamed the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.

GENERAL APPEARANCE : Shall be that of a well proportioned working dog, rather square in profile with a hard-bitten, rugged appearance, and sufficient substance to convey the impression of the ability to endure long periods of arduous work under whatsoever conditions may prevail.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : The "Stumpy" possesses a natural aptitude in the working and control of cattle, and a loyal, courageous and devoted disposition. It is ever alert, watchful and obedient, though suspicious of strangers. At all times it must be amenable to handling in the Show ring.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Broad between the ears and flat, narrowing slightly to the eyes.
Stop : Slight but definite.

FACIAL REGION : The foreface is of moderate length, well filled up under the eye, the deep powerful jaws tapering to a blunt strong muzzle.
Nose : Black, irrespective of the colour of the dog.
Muzzle : Blunt and strong.
Jaws/teeth : The teeth are strong, sound and regularly spaced. The lower incisors close behind and just touching the upper.


Cheeks : Muscular without coarseness.
Eyes : The eyes should be oval in shape, of moderate size, neither full nor prominent, with alert and intelligent yet suspicious expression, and of dark brown colour.
Ears : The ears are moderately small, pricked and almost pointed. Set on high yet well apart. Leather moderately thick. The inner side of the ear should be well furnished with hair.

NECK : The neck is of exceptional strength, arched, muscular and of medium length, broadening to blend into the body, free from throatiness.

BODY : The length of the body from the point of the breast-bone to the point of buttocks should be equal to the height of the withers. Back : Level, broad and strong.
Loins : Deep and muscular.
Chest : The well sprung ribs taper at the lower half, to a deep moderately broad chest.

TAIL : The tail is undocked, of a natural length not exceeding 10 cm (4 ins), set on high but not carried much above the level of the back.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Well-boned and muscular. Viewed from any angle they are perfectly straight.
Shoulders : Clean, muscular and sloping.
Elbows : Parallel to the body.

HINDQUARTERS : Broad, powerful and muscular. When viewed from behind the hind legs from hock to feet are straight, and placed neither close nor too wide apart.
Thigh : Well developed.
Stifle : Moderately turned.
Hock : Strong, moderately let down with sufficient bend.

FEET : The feet should be round, strong, deep in pads with well arched toes, closely knit. Nails strong, short and of dark colour.

GAIT/MOVEMENT : Soundness is of paramount importance. The action is true, free, supple and tireless, the movement of the shoulders and forelegs in unison with the powerful thrust of the hindquarters. Capability of quick and sudden movement is essential.

COAT

HAIR : The outer coat is moderately short, straight, dense and of medium harsh texture. The undercoat is short, dense and soft. The coat around the neck is longer, forming mild ruff. The hair on the head, legs and feet, is short.

COLOUR :
Blue : The dog should be blue or blue mottled, whole coloured. The head may have black markings. Black markings on the body are permissible.
Red Speckle : The colour should be a good even red speckle all over, including the undercoat (not white or cream), with or without darker, red markings on the head. Red patches on the body are permissible.

SIZE : Height: Dogs 46-51 cms (18-20 ins) at withers.
Bitches 43-48 cms (17-19 ins) at withers.
Dogs or bitches over or under these specified sizes are undesirable.

FAULTS : Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

SEVERE FAULTS :
Brown or flesh coloured nose.
Pink eye rims.
Undershot or overshot jaws.
Tail exceeding 10 cm (4 ins).
Loaded or slack shoulders.
Straight shoulder placement.
Weakness at elbows, pasterns or feet.
Stiltiness of hindquarters.
Bow or cow hocks.
Pink or white toe nails.
White or cream coat colour.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :
Aggressive or overly shy temperament.
Docked tail.
Tan markings.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.