Q. What is the general appearance of a Cattle Dog?
A . The general appearance is that of a strong compact, symmetrically built working dog, with the ability and willingness to carry out his allotted task however arduous.  Its combination of substance, power, balance and hard muscular condition must convey the impression of great agility, strength and endurance.

Q. What are the general characteristics?
A. As the name implies the dog's prime function, and one in which he has no peer, is the control and movement of cattle.  Cattle Dogs are always alert, extremely intelligent, watchful, courageous and trustworthy, with an implicit devotion to duty.  These characteristics make it the ideal dog.

Q. What is the temperament of a Cattle Dog?
A. The Cattle Dog's loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian to the stockman, his herd and his property.  Naturally suspicious of strangers, amenable to handling, particularly in the show ring.

Q. What does the Cattle Dog's coat feel like?
A. The coat is smooth, a double coat with a short dense undercoat.  The outer-coat is close, each hair straight, hard, and lying flat, so that it is rain-resisting.  Under the body, to behind the legs, the coat is longer and forms near the thigh a short mild form of breeching.  On the head (including the inside of the ears), to the front of the legs and feet, the hair is short.  Along the neck it is longer and thicker.   As an average, the hairs on the body should be from 2.5 to 4 cms. in length.

Q.  What color is the Cattle Dog's fur?
A.  They can be either red (see picture above) or blue.  The color can be blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled with or without markings (see picture at right.)  The permissible markings are black, blue, or tan markings on the head, evenly distributed for preferences.  The forelegs tan midway up the legs and extending up the front to breast and throat, with tan on jaws.  The hindquarters tan on inside of hindlegs, and the inside of thighs, showing down the front of the stifles and broadening out to the outside of the hindlegs from hock to toes.   Tan undercoat is permissible on the body providing it does not show through the blue outer coat.  Black markings on the body are not desirable.

Q. What is the size?
A.  Males: 46-51 cms (approx. 18-20 inches) at withers
      Females: 43-48 cms (approx. 17-19 inches) at withers

Q.  What is the Breeder's Replacement Guarantee?
A.  Any puppy which is shipped will have a health certificate and will be up to date on its health record (i.e. shots and worming).  The breeder guarantees that to the best of his knowledge, this animal is in good health and free from communicable disease at the time of purchase.  The breeder will guarantee replacement for the following congenital defects: severely overshot or undershot bite, monorchism, cryptorchism, and hip dysplasia.  In the case of hip dysplasia, the dog's hips are to be X-Rayed by a licensed veterinarian and sent in to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to be rated, before the animal will be replaced.

Q.  How will the puppy/dog be shipped and what is the cost?
A.  Puppy/dog will usually be shipped via US Airways unless otherwise specified by the purchaser.  The total cost to ship a dog is approximately $250. This includes the cost of the crate (approximately $40), health certificates (required for shipping, approxmately $40), and the actual shipping cost paid to the airline (approximately $170). The crate will belong to the purchaser and all shipping costs must be paid in advance.  Sometimes the dog will be sent as a passenger, depending on weather or other factors.

Q.  What modes of payment are accepted?
A.  We accept personal checks, certified checks and money orders for the purchase price of the puppy/dog and shipping.  All personal checks must clear before the puppy/dog will be shipped.

The information above is from the Official Standards for Cattle Dogs.  Click Here to obtain a complete copy of the AKC breed standard.