Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog

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.

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.