Are Australian Cattle Dogs High Energy Dogs?

This week, we’re delving into the needs of high energy dogs like the Australian Cattle Dog. Particularly what novice owners can expect from this breed. And how to wear them out if you don’t have lot of space.

Yes, Cattle Dogs Have High Energy Needs

This is not to be confused with an ADHD-type dog. Cattle dogs need a tremendous amount of exercise. They have a ton of energy to burn. However, it is not unfocused, Tasmanian Devil, whirlish behavior. These dogs can focus. When they are interested or working, they are laser focused.

Cattle Dogs Are Not Recommended for Apartments

If you read about Blue Heelers, Red Heelers (the colors refer to their coat colors), Queensland Heelers, Australian Cattle Dogs (we still don’t know why they have so many names) you’ll find a lot of people say they are not meant for small, confined spaces. And that’s true.

However, we don’t have an enormous yard. We have nothing close to farmland. Our lot is a third of an acre. Which is pretty much nothing when it comes to Pandora’s needs. And yet, we make it work and Pandora thrives. Except for walking near cars, we are still stuck. It’s not easy, but we’ve found ways to cope.

High Energy Dogs + Small Yards = A Lot of Time Exercising the Pooch

I’m not going to lie and say you can have a cattle dog in a small space and not worry about it. These dogs have high energy needs and you have to put in the effort to release that energy. That effort is every single day, multiple times a day.

Here’s an example of what a good exercise day looks like for Pandora:

After I wake up and shower, Pandora goes outside. She does her business and trots back in waiting while I empty the dishwasher and reload. (5 minutes)
Load Pandora in car and head out to the trails. We do anywhere from 3 to 5 miles. (1+ hours)
After lunch, it’s playtime for Pandora (30 min. Frisbee)
On sunny days, I leave the slider open so Pandora can go in and out. She’ll mill around the yard, try to herd my husband while he works in the yard. Get a little more frisbee time when he’s trying to break her of herding him. (10 to 45 minutes)
Early evening, I take Pandora back outside and play more frisbee. We mix up the throws, mostly low to the ground with a few higher ones mixed in. (30 to 40 minutes).
By 8:00pm, we’re pooped. Pandora is not. So, we pull out the tennis ball and take turns tossing it around the house (semi-open concept). We’ve learned to utilize doors and walls to launch the ball further around corners. (30 min)

Total time on a good day of exercise is anywhere from 2 hours and 45 minutes to 4 hours.

When Pandora gets that much exercise, she is a happy pup.

What a “Just Enough” Exercise Day Looks Like

Obviously, we don’t always have a good exercise day for Pandora. Some days we do just enough. Just enough, means we do the bare minimum to give her the energy burners she needs. Sometimes these days are due to a heavy workload that prevents us from giving her the time she needs. And sometimes these days are due to non-stop torrential rains and/or high winds. Here’s what that kind of day looks like:

Wake, shower, shove Pandora out the door to do her business.
After unloading and loading dishwasher I bundle up in boots and raincoat and toss the frisbee a few times with Pandora. If it’s windy, the throws suck. Pandora doesn’t care, so long as she’s chasing the disc, she’s happy.
If I’m working from home, I’ll take a lot of five-minute breaks. During which time, I toss toys up the stairs. Pandora brings them back and we repeat. This does wear her out. The stairs will have her panting hard after five minutes. I do little training things while I go between rooms, like make her walk “with me,” or if I’m on the phone, I’ll practice using hand commands. I’ll get her to sit, look at me, drop down and reward.
For lunch if the weather is really crappy, we’ll do a good 15 minutes on the stairs. And some brain work. I’ll either do a puzzle toy with her or I’ll hide high scent dog treats around the house. That keeps her busy. Plus, the nose work or brain work utilizes energy.
In the early evening, I train her. We’ll take a few breaks as I throw toys up the stairs, and then back to training. I make sure this is at least 30 minutes.
Then, come 8:00 we play ball or tug. Pandora is not usually satisfied. So, she’ll go have unhealthy relations with her dog bed. She’ll grumble. She’ll let us know that we sucked at getting her energy used up for the day.

These days we get approximately, 1 hour and 45 minutes of exercise.

Won’t the Dog Get Used to Not Getting as Much Exercise?

To be fair, I’ve only heard one person express this comment. I know you’ll find this hard to believe, but she’s not a dog owner. Sarcasm aside, no. High energy dogs will not get used to not having as much exercise.

A dog that doesn’t get her exercise needs met will be miserable. And dogs rank high in the Misery Loves Company, game of life. They own that area. If they’re miserable, you will be just as miserable or even more so. This is when furniture gets chewed into an unrecognizable state. When shoes get shredded into tiny bits that resemble yard mulch. When dogs consume plastic toys that mean a trip to the, very expensive, emergency vet. And, when then the police show up due to complaints of non-stop barking.

Don’t be that dog owner.

Summation

Yes, Australian Cattle Dogs are high energy dogs. You don’t have to have massive acreage or livestock to give your dog a good home. If you are willing to attend to their needs, every day, multiple times a day, you’ll have a pal for life.

But you have to be honest with yourself and whether or not you can put in the time needed.

For more information about cattle dogs, check out these posts:

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Velcro Dogs?

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Good Watch Dogs?