Australian Cattle Dogs are loyal and protective of their owners and are a great option if you are looking for a working dog on a farm.
However, if you’re curious about getting a cattle dog you might be wondering: Do Cattle Dogs get cold?
In this article, I cover some key information about Australian Cattle Dogs, from whether Cattle Dogs need coats to whether Cattle Dogs can live outside.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Do cattle dogs need coats?
Australian Cattle Dogs work incredibly well in cold conditions, even at freezing or below.
Thanks to their thick, double coat, they have a significant amount of protection from the cold, wind, rain, and snow, which is what contributes to them being so hardy in cold environments.
Their dense undercoat provides insulation whilst their outer coat is harder to the touch, making it resistant to rain and enabling it to survive under harsh weather conditions.
This allows the outer coat to shed water and block the wind, ensuring that harsh weather doesn’t reach their warm, dry skin.
Whether you invest in a coat for your dog will depend on the length of walks that you take and the conditions where you live.
That being said, although they can tolerate cold temperatures well, to ensure that your Cattle Dog remains as warm as possible on long, winter walks, it is a wise choice to invest in a warm coat for your dog.
This is especially true if you live somewhere with long, cold winters that are often below freezing.
It is essential to ensure that the coat you choose for your Cattle Dog is well adapted to bad weather. This means that it is well equipped to deal with snow, rain, and extreme temperatures.
That being said, then, it must be warm, padded, and waterproof to ensure that they can get the most out of their long walks.
It is also important to recognize the signs that your dog could be too cold. If you have been out on a long, cold winter walk, make sure to be aware of these signs:
If your dog is shivering and shaking, it is a sure sign that they are too cold.
Your dog walking with their tail tucked in an uncomfortable position is another indication that they are cold.
Your dog whining, whimpering, or barking can be a sign that they’re cold.
If your dog is reluctant to walk on or seems anxious, it is likely that they are cold.
If your dog is lifting their paws off the ground, especially if it’s icy or snowy, this can be an indication that they’re cold.
Although these signs are general and could indicate an array of different problems, it’s important to stay in tune with your dog and their needs when you’re walking them in the cold.
If you spot any of these signs, it’s important that you head back and warm up your dog inside to ensure that they are safe. Failure to do so could result in a medical emergency such as hypothermia.
Can cattle dogs live outside?
The Cattle Dog can survive harsh weather conditions and temperatures, and work for long hours as they do not tire easily.
As they were bred for the harsh environment of the Australian outback, the Cattle Dog can live in a variety of environments.
Depending on where you live, they can live in a secure shelter outdoors, yes, but they also thrive living in the house with the family.
That being said, it is incredibly important to train and stimulate a Cattle Dog. These dogs are bred to be working dogs, and thus need mental stimulation in order to live a fulfilling and happy life.
Bearing this in mind, then, your dog won’t do well to be kept outside if they don’t have enough to keep them busy.
Alongside this, the Cattle Dog needs to be kept in a home that has enough space for them to roam freely.
They are not suitable to be kept in an apartment and require frequent exercise to ensure that they remain fit and healthy as they grow and develop.
Ample physical and mental exercise is needed when it comes to taking care of a Cattle Dog.
Outside of the traditional working environment for which this breed was designed, they are especially suited for an active, adventurous life that involves lots of exercise.
That being said, if you aren’t buying one of these dogs to herd cattle, then your dog will benefit from long walking sessions, hiking, or jogging.
Alternatively, you could try them on specially designed agility exercises, such as Frisbee or course runs.
This will keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated whilst ensuring that they are burning off their excess energy.
Generally speaking, these dogs make excellent family pets, so will thrive living inside, too. That being said, they have been known to try to ‘herd’ children, and it is important to mention that they can be cautious of meeting strangers.
Most importantly, though, it is important to know that for these dogs to live a happy, healthy life, they need to be occupied.
Boredom can lead to mischievous behavior, and your dog might begin to learn bad habits if they’re left unattended for long periods of time.
Bearing this in mind, then, the question isn’t necessarily can Cattle Dogs live outside, but should they?
Provided that the area is warm enough and secure at night at all times, then you might consider it.
However, during the colder months, it is always kinder to keep your dog inside if they have enough space to roam around.
In Summary
Although the Australian Cattle Dog works and survives well in harsh weather conditions, it’s important to be aware that they can get cold.
That being said, depending on the environment that you’re living in and walking them, they could benefit from a good quality coat to ensure that they get the most out of their walks without getting cold.
