The Australian Cattle Dog is a superb cattle header with agility, speed, and exceptional courage. These dogs are simply gluttons for work, and will run all day if you let them. They are equally skilled at herding cattle on the open range, or working them in confined spaces.

The Australian cattle industry owes much to this dog, and would probably not have existed without it. Back in the early 19th century many small ranchers settled in Queensland. These ranchers needed dogs to work their herds, and as none of the existing breeds fit the bill, they started breeding a dog fit-to-purpose.

Early breed history is sketchy, but it is believed that crosses between the Smooth Collie, Kelpie, Dalmatian, and even wild Dingos went into creating what became known as the Queensland Blue Heeler.

The earliest Blue Heelers were bred with courage, speed and agility in mind and proved to be exceptional cattle dogs. But the breed we know today was refined and standardized mainly thanks to a man named Robert Kaleski, who drew up the first standard in 1902.

In 1903, New South Wales Kennel Club status was granted under the name Australian Cattle Dog, although Blue Heeler is still commonly used in Australia.

The ACD is a single-minded dog that has absolute focus on the job at hand. They are highly intelligent, pliant, and easy to train. They are also extremely loyal and eager to please, although somewhat suspicious of strangers.

These dogs control cattle by nipping at their heels, and they have particularly strong jaws, with formidable teeth. It is therefore important that biting and nipping should not be tolerated in a puppy.

This is a hardy, robust breed with few congenital disorders. Due to the work it does, the ACD is more likely to suffer injury than illness.

These are medium sized dogs, standing about 18-20 inches at the withers. They have a broad skull and deep muzzle in order to deliver that powerful bite. The body is sturdy, and the coat is short, harsh and weather resistant. All puppies are born white and the coat later takes on the patchwork appearance that is characteristic of the breed.

Coat colors are primarily merle or red. The merle coat features blue mottling, while the red coat has red speckling. Both variants feature a spray of white on the tail.

Aside from being a herding dog, the Australian Cattle Dog makes an excellent pet for the right owner. The proviso though is that the owner needs to be an active, outdoor type who is prepared to meet the dog's considerable exercise needs.

Remember that these are, first and foremost, working dogs, so they need lots of activity and, preferably, a job to do.

If you’re stuck for dog names, for your Australian Cattle Dog, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of female dog names.

The Australian Shepherd, or “Aussie” as it is sometimes called, is a dog with an interesting past. Perhaps the most interesting fact is that they are not Australian at all! The breed actually has its origins in the Pyrenees Mountains somewhere between Spain and France. Basque Shepherds originally brought these dogs to Australia, and when their descendents immigrated to America in the 1800s they took their dogs with them.

From then on the breed started to be called the Australian Shepherd, but prior to that, the Aussie went by a number of other names, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, and Blue Heeler.

These are extremely intelligent dogs who just love being around people, and make great pets for the right owner. Ideally that person will be someone who enjoys outdoor activities and is prepared to meet the dog's considerable exercise needs. As a working dog, the Aussie needs to be kept busy, and will almost certainly develop behavioral problems if he does not get enough physical and mental stimulation.

They have a strong herding instinct, and will have a go at herding everything and everyone they come into contact with – including your kids and the family cat!

Australian Shepherds are protective of their home and family and therefore tend to be cautious around strangers. This is sometimes interpreted as timidity, but the breed is actually quite confident and self-assured.

This is a dog with a real love of life. They want to be at the center of all activities and can be quite demanding of attention. The worst thing you can do to an Australian Shepherd is to ignore him, and if you are not prepared to give your dog lots of attention it may be wise to consider another breed.

But if you do have time to spend with your dog, you’re in for a real treat. The Aussie Shepherd is a dream to train. These dogs learn quickly and love to please. They excel at a myriad of dog sports, including fly ball, agility trials and advanced dog obedience training. Aussies are willing and capable students, and time spent training serves multiple purposes. It provides your dog with mental and physical stimulation, gives him a job and a purpose, and helps to build the bond between you.

When training your dog, use a positive method that is proven to deliver results – something like clicker training. You'll be rewarded with a happy, fulfilled and balanced dog, and just think how impressed your family will be when they see the amazing things your dog is capable of.

The Australian Shepherd is a healthy dog breed, but like all purebred dogs it does suffer from a number of inherited conditions. These include back problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Median lifespan for the breed is 12 to 14 years.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of boy dog names.

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier breeds. The 'King of Terriers', as it is known, stands up to 24 inches and the shoulder, and can weigh up to 65 pounds.

The Airedale is an easy dog to recognize, as the breed has a pretty unique profile and a wiry coat that is always black and tan. These dogs display the typical 'terrier temperament', which is to say that they are alert, active and ready to face up to any challenge.

Like many terrier breeds, the Airedale Terrier originated in England, in an area of between the Aire and Whafe rivers. The early dogs were crosses between Welsh terriers and Otterhounds, and went under a number of names, including, the Rough Coated terrier, Bingly terrier and Waterside terrier.

In 1886, the breed gained recognition from the Kennel Club (UK), and adopted the Airedale name.

By this time the breed’s reputation for reliability and hard work had also been noticed. Originally used for hunting and for the ‘sport’ of ratting, they began now to be used as police dogs, and as messengers during World War 1.

These are active, independent and highly intelligent dogs. They are generally easy to train, but have a decidedly stubborn streak and also become bored quite easily. It is therefore important to base training on short, very focused sessions.

In addition to their obvious value as working dogs, they also make great family pets. They are fun-loving dogs who love to be involved in family activities and particularly enjoy playing games.

The Airedale is a generally healthy dog although it is not immune to the medical problems that typically affect purebred dogs. Hip displaysia, eye problems and skin disorders (especially hot spots) occur in the breed. Bloat, a serious, often fatal, condition can also occur if the dog is exercised too soon after a meal. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 years.

The rough wiry coat of the Airedale requires a daily brush down to keep it in good condition. The coat will also have to be professionally hand stripped a couple of times a year.

This breed is a good choice for those who are particularly house proud as they shed very little. In fact, they are often suitable for allergy sufferers.

The Airdedale is a dog that needs, and demands, a great deal of exercise, and you'd be well advised to look elsewhere if you are not able to meet these needs. This is not a dog for lazing around, and it will not do well in an apartment.

Dogs that become frustrated due to lack of mental and physical stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and this will definitely be the case with this breed.

The easiest way to find good names for your Airedale Terrier is to visit an online dog names, resource, like puppy-names-hq.com. This site has tons of dog names, including 1000s of cool dog names to choose from.