Silken Windhound vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison

Australian Cattle Dog is originated from Australia but Silken Windhound is originated from United States. Australian Cattle Dog may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Silken Windhound. Both Australian Cattle Dog and Silken Windhound are having almost same weight. Australian Cattle Dog may live 3 years less than Silken Windhound. Australian Cattle Dog may have more litter size than Silken Windhound. Both Australian Cattle Dog and Silken Windhound requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Hound dog
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Australia
United States
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
47 - 60 cm
18 - 24 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
44 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
10 - 20 kg
22 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 15 kg
28 - 34 pounds
7 - 17 kg
15 - 38 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
15 - 18 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 7
1 - 4
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
ACD, Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Silkens
Colors Available:
blue (mottled or speckled), red (mottled or speckled)
tuxedo marked or solid colored , white to black with brilliant brindles and solid red, in between. They can be spotted
Coat:
short double coat
silky coats of middling length longish to very long, with feathers. Some are straight, some are very curly
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

During the 19th century, in the New South Wales, lived a cattle farmer Thomas Hall. He wanted to have a perfect cattle dog so he mixed two breeds: dogs used by stockman with the dingo. The new breed was given an interesting name - Halls Heelers. Heelers was a part of the dog breed because this new breed of the dog inherited the nipping instinct. As time passed, one breed was developing in two breeds: the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog.

The Australian Cattle dog can be found in two available colours: red and blue. This is how they got their nicknames: Red Heeler and Blue Heeler.

silken windhoundThe Silken Windhound is a breed intentionally developed by Borzoi and Deerhound breeder, Francie Stull. Although the first litter of the Windhoud was not born until 1995, their development began in discussions ten years later. Bred as a cross between her beloved Deerhounds and Borzoi, the first Society for the breed formed in 1999 and they were recognized by the UKC in 2011.

Ms. Stull wanted another breed for her kennel and decided on a smaller sighthound than her Borzoi. She wanted a long coat, a good temperament, good health, and possessing the same athletic abilities, grace and poise as the sighthounds that are larger. She developed the Silken Windhound based on this vision.

With this in mind, the kennel purchased the pick of a litter from the American and English Borzoi Champion bitch, Stillwater Virginia Reel. This puppy was eventually bred to Stillwater White Lightning and produced puppy that was a blue brindle. This dog, Stillwater Kristull Peacock, had the coat, personality and structure that Ms. Stull wanted for the new breed. She was bred to Deerhound Windsprite Autumnal Xenon to form the foundation for the Silken Windhound.

Over time champion Borzoi were bred with multi-generation Whippet based dogs and small Whippet from coursing and show lines. Finally, all of this work was rewarded with an incredible little sighthound to fit in the line of sighthounds between the giant and large breeds and the smaller whippet type breeds.

The Silken Windhound lives today in 24 different countries. They take their place in hound competitions all over the world in obedience, lure coursing, and racing. They are a Limited Stake Breed in the ASFA and competed with 40 other dogs in 2010. Then they were accepted by the NOFCA or National Open Filed Coursing Association, also in 2010. Finally, in 2011 they were fully accepted by the UKC.

The Silken Windhound is recognized in addition to the UKC, by the Dog Registry of America, the Rarities Inc., the American Canine Association, the Kennel Club of Slovenia, the American Pet Registry, Inc., the International Silken Windhound Society and the International, All-Breed Canine Association of America.

Description

The Australian Cattle Dog originally mixed with Australian herding dog that was kept near the cattle to guide them. Medium-sized, with the short coat, this dog is generally easy to groom and maintain. It does require more brushing during the shedding period, but it is still not an everyday need. He is easy to train because he likes challenging games and activities which are. It gets very attached to its owner, and he is always protective of them and their possessions. The most common health problems happen with their ears and eyes, but they are usually very healthy and they have a long life – up to 15 years.

silken windhound puppy - descriptionThe Silken Windhound is a breed of beautiful, athletic medium sized dogs. They have the long coat, athletic build and classic lines of the sighthound/coursing dog. Just looking at them and you know they have strength, balance and grace in those medium sized bodies. Their running ability is exceptional. They perform well in the confirmation rings.

They are sine boned, balanced with smooth muscles – a sleek hardy looking dog. They have almond-shaped, large, dark eyes with small folded ears. Looking in their faces you see intelligence, friendliness and alertness. The head is long with a well balanced muzzle and a dark, slightly down-turned nose. Her lips are dark and full and her neck long and slender. The Silken Windhound must have a flexible loin because they have a gallop of double suspensions and are amazingly fast. A deep chest is also a must with a flexible, curving tail. Her legs are straight and long, as she is built for speed.

Characteristics

Around children

Children and Australian Cattle Dogs can grow up together in harmony. They will have a loyal and protective companion. After you properly train your dog and teach your child how to play with the dog, you will bring the friendship on the safe side. Some of them will have the instinct to nip at heels, so you should pay attention to this while training your pet.

Special talents: cattle dog, service dog, therapy dog, police dogs, drug detection dogs.

Adaptability

Australian Cattle Dogs can survive cool, hot and temperate conditions. They can live in a shelter outdoors, and they do well living indoors. But, be aware – without enough physical activity, this dog will end up being frustrated and unhappy.

Learning ability

They will absorb every new trick so quick that you will be amazed. They love to learn, and if you start with some good trick you will raise a great friend and maybe a great competitor in fetch, swim, bring-a-stick, or run-the-show dog sports.

Characteristics

silken windhound dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness – they are great with children and would romp with them all day.

2.Special talents – speed and agility.

3.Adaptability Like most sighthounds they can be couch potatoes but being medium sized they can live just about anywhere as long as it is inside.

4.Learning ability - They are smart but their learning ability can be hampered by their stubbornness.

Health Problems

Health Problems: are mostly inherited. You can avoid this by searching for a good breeder that can clear out the hereditary diseases.

Eyes

The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the breeds that can be born with progressive retinal atrophy. Progressive rod-cone degeneration is a disease that causes the rods and cones in the retina of the eye to degenerate. It might lead to blindness.

Ears

The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the rare breeds with recessive piebald alleles. This gene is the reason why they have white colour on their coat. But, unfortunately, this gene can be the reason why congenital hereditary deafness develops.

silken windhound puppies - health problemsMost inherited diseases and conditions are rare. There is some drug related sensitivity, especially to ivermectin, and some dogs carry a MDR1 (multi-drug resistance gene) that is defective. Breeders are attempting to breed this out of the Silkens. A few other rare instances of concern include:

  • Cryptorchidism – a birth defect resulting in undescended testicles.
  • Lotus Syndrome – an occasional birth defect resulting in death.
  • Umbilical hernias – may require surgery.
  • Cataracts - may lead to old age sight problems
  • Deafness

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy and adult

Herding dog have a history of the joint diseases. That’s why some of the pet suggest feeding a herding dog with meat like chicken, turkey, beef, lamb and fish. Dry dog food, even premium quality, may not be enough for this energetic dogs and their bone structure. But it depends on the dog. The best advice is to always take an advice from your breeder or your wet.

Grooming

You won’t be very busy with grooming your Australian cattle dog. You don’t have to take everyday care of it. Occasional brushing will be more than enough. Bath the dog only when you notice odour problem.

Points for Good Health

The Australian Cattle Dog needs a high level of activity. Like many other herding dog breeds, they love walks, spending time with people, running or doing any athletic sports with them, teaching them tricks since they have above average intelligence. Fetching will be super fun for everyone, agility, competitions or any other challenging activity. They love water and they swim very well so you can take the dog with you to the nearest pool and have a great time.

silken windhound dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy This is a medium sized, active breed. They need high quality dog food with plenty of protein. Feed them 3 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

2.Feeding the adult - Feed them 2 times a day from a food made for high energy active medium sized breeds.

3.Points for Good - Exceptional agility and speed.

4. Games and Exercises The breed is active, and they love to run. They need daily exercise and they usually excel at flyball, agility, obedience and therapy. Obviously, they are very good at lure coursing and racing. They love to run or jog with you.

Comparison with other breeds

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  26. Australian Cattle Dog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
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  29. Australian Cattle Dog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Australian Cattle Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Australian Cattle Dog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Australian Cattle Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Australian Cattle Dog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Australian Cattle Dog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Cattle Dog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Australian Cattle Dog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Cattle Dog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Australian Cattle Dog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Australian Cattle Dog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Australian Cattle Dog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Australian Cattle Dog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Australian Cattle Dog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Australian Cattle Dog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Australian Cattle Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Australian Cattle Dog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Australian Cattle Dog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Australian Cattle Dog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Australian Cattle Dog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Australian Cattle Dog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Australian Cattle Dog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison