LOOKING FOR A REGISTERED AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG?

Not ALL registries are the same, not all registries are recognized or accepted if you want to show or do obedience, agility, herding trials, etc. Read this site for more information. Do your homework beforehand, learn all you can about the breed and what the different registries are!!
Read these articles below to learn what registries are acceptable if you want to show your dog, do herding trials, or trial in obedience, agility, rally, etc.  Know all you can before adding a new member to the family.

DOG REGISTRIES 1

DOG REGISTRIES 2

Do your homework -- If you are looking for a dog to show in conformation, or work in agility or obedience, see if relatives have worked these venues. Check the background of the parents. Many say a pup is show quality but they have no Champions and none of their dogs have ever been shown or gained a real AKC Championship. They know little of type or structure or what good movement is. If you want a performance dog, again check the background and the breeder. Have any of their dogs competed? If you are looking to devote many hours in training a dog just take some time and check to see if the breeder has had pups that have accomplished anything in these venues.

An "ethical" breeder will not only be more then happy to help you learn, they will guide you as your pup grows, be willing to take back any of their dogs so they never end up in shelters or puppy mills. They will be a fountain of information on the breed and if they cannot answer a question, will take the time to find someone who can!! They will guarantee against breed health problems or that the parents have been tested for genetic problems.

Our breed DOES have genetic problems, no matter how much some will say their dogs do not have any of this in their backgrounds, ALL pedigrees have had genetic problems --Hips Dysplasia (HD) - deafness (BAER testing can tell if a dog can hear n both ears. If it is a UNI - (hearing in only one ear) - or DEAF.   PRA testing can tell if a dog may become affected with blindness, be a carrier or not be affected at all. Unless a breeder has done "some" testing on their breeding dogs, they will not know and can blindly say their dogs are not affected -- Because they do not know if they do not test.

Written by Cheryl Edward from AUSTRALIA. Being a real old photo fancier this is truly a MUST HAVE book. It is my very favorite of all the books on the breed as it is chock full of photos of some of the original dogs that began this breed. Also information on Australian breeders and their dogs. Sadly my issue is so dog eared as I love to go back to it often.

by Noreen Clark   This is another must have book from AUSTRALIA about the Australia Cattle Dog, it's beginning and history.  See the early breed dogs, early breed history. Many years of research went into this publication and well worth one's time to delve into if you really want to know about the breed.  Also very recommended.

Check out info and links to books, videos, trainers, internet sites and more.

List for those that want to learn more about herding, or are already working their dogs and would like to chat with other who also work dogs.

Do you really want a dog? What kind of dog do you want? Where should you get a dog?

ACD web site with section for health, activities and more, join the ACD-L list.

ACD web site has breed info, breeders, rescue, Nat'l specialty info, join the cattledog-L.

A great place to chat about Australian Cattle Dogs and to share stories and photos of your dog.

OPTIGEN  -- Information on testing for prcd PRA

PENN HIP  -- PennHip testing for hip ratings    

OFA    --  A registry for hip ratings and much more