Official Breed Standard of the
Kennel Union of South Africa

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG

BODY
Slightly longer from point of shoulder to buttocks than height at withers, as 10 is to 9. Level topline, strong back and couplings. Well sprung ribs, carried well back but not barrel ribbed. Chest deep, muscular and moderately broad.

HINDQUARTERS
Broad, strong and muscular. Croup rather long and sloping. Well turned stifle, hocks strong and well let down. When viewed from behind, hocks to feet straight and set parallel, neither too close nor too wide apart.

FEET
Round, short toes, strong, well arched and held tight, pads hard and deep. Nails short and strong.

TAIL
Set on low, following slope of croup/rump. Reaching to hock, hanging in slight curve at rear. When working or excited may be raised but never carried over back. Good brush.

GAIT/MOVEMENT
True, free, supple, tireless, with powerful thrust of hindquarters. Capable of quick and sudden action. Soundness of paramount importance. Stands four square, but when moving at speed, legs tend to converge. Any weaknesses highly undesirable.

COLOUR
Blue : Blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled with or without other markings. Permissible markings are black, 2 Australian Cattle Dog blue or tan markings on head, evenly distributed for preference. Forelegs tan midway up legs and extending up the front to breast and throat, with tan on jaws. Hindquarters tan on inside of hindlegs, and inside of thighs, showing down front of stifles and broadening out to outside of hindlegs from hock to toes. Tan undercoat permissible on body providing it does not show through blue outer coat. Black markings on body undesirable.
Red Speckle : Good even red speckle all over, including undercoat (neither white nor cream), with or without darker red markings on head. Even head markings desirable. Red markings on body permissible but undesirable.         On to page three...