The Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
 Skyline-Acres |
Though similar to them, Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs are not Australian Cattle Dogs with docked tails, but are cousins to that breed, and a breed in their own right. In Australia, their country of origin, "Stumpies" are much sought after for their working ability. Both red and blue Stumpy Tails are extremely faithful and tireless workers.
The Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog descended from the original cross of the Smithfield, being a black and white bob tailed dog with a long dense coat, and the dingo, by a drover named Timmins. The progeny being red bob tailed dogs which were known as Timmins Biters. These red bob tails were later mated with a blue merle smooth coated collie. This produced both red bob tail and blue or blue mottled bob tail dogs. The latter having black patches on the head and some black patched on the body. By selective breeding of bob tail to bob tail the absence of the tail became fixed in the breed.
Although the stumpy tail is relatively uncommon around the show ring it is held in high esteem in Australia as a wiry, tireless and intelligent worker.
The Stumpy Tails came to the USA shortly after World War II. American soldiers had seen these dogs in action when stationed in the Pacific, and when they returned home, they realized how wild their own livestock had become. They imported some of the dogs that they had seen working. Both the Stumpy Tail and the Australian Cattle Dog were referred to as "blue heelers", and both of these breeds were sent to the USA.
The breed is double coated. 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 a mild ruff. The hair on the head, legs, and feet is short. The acceptable colors are Blue and Red Speckle.
BLUE - The dog is blue or blue mottled over the whole body. The head may have black markings. Black markings on the body are acceptable.
RED SPECKLE - The color is a good, even red speckle all over, including the undercoat. The undercoat cannot be white or cream. There may or may not be darker red markings on the head; either is acceptable. Red patches on the body are acceptable.
Males should be 18 to 20 inches tall, females 17 to 19 inches.
The ideal owner for the Stumpy should be someone who appreciates an active dog. While these dogs adore children, they should not be left together unsupervised. Elderly people may find the Stumpy a bit of a handful.
A health concern for the breed is Spina Bifida, which is a defect of closure on the ventral surface of the bony spinal canal, often associated with defective development of the abdominal and thorasic viscera.
