The Complete Guide to Australian Cattle Dogs: Finding, Training, Feeding, Exercising and Keeping Your ACD Active, Stimulated, and Happy

Lots of good descriptions and advice.

It is a calendar. Lovely pictures of ACDs.

I read enough to know that this breed becomes anxious if you make a big deal about leaving them alone or coming home. Ideally, bring your dog with you. This breed gets bored easily. They require a lot of time. If you are over 50, you might reconsider. Especially, if you have grandchildren. This is not a dog to leave outside. They like to be with their owners. If you don’t care, don’t get this breed. You have to walk them regularly.

Great info on Blue Heelers! Very Helpful!

We will be adopting a blue heeler puppy soon. We have had a heeler before, but she was in the picture before I was so I didn't know her as a puppy or have a hand in training her. And it's been a looooong time since I've had and trained a puppy.This book was easy to read, has great photos of heelers in black & white and filled with great information from crates, to exercise, intelligence, training, pet insurance and more.Since I own this book, I'm now going back and highlighting things to remember. I already know how smart and loyal these beautiful dogs are and I want to make sure I start off on the right foot with our new girl.

If you are thinking about buying an Australian Cattle dog (ACD) puppy, this book is excellent and it covers issues that you will encounter on initial training. If you acquired an adult dog and you want info on training, this book won’t be much help. Go to YouTube for training information. I acquired an adult rescue ACD and there was very little useful information here.

This book was a helpful start. It's not too in-depth in any one topic but provides some great overall information. I read this with my two children (10 and 12) and it was easy enough for them to read and follow. I did find myself needing additional training information.

I was excitedly anticipating this book since I am an avid ACD lover and owner. But I was greatly disappointed to realize that there is not one single color photo in the entire 179 pages. They are all black and white. The only 2 color photos are on the front and back covers. While the b/w photos are nice and were contributed from actual ACD owners and breeders, there is a lost opportunity here to share the outstanding beauty of the breed in color. I did glance through the contents and appreciate the comments of other reviewers on the helpfulness of the information, but most of that information is also found in other numerous books and articles I have read on ACDs. However, on page 31, the author lists a "fun fact" stating that ACDs come in 2 colors - "red merle and blue merle". I've never heard or seen the ACD colors associated with the term "merle" - Australian Shepherds, of course, but not Australian Cattle Dogs. There is quite a bit of information available on the internet and other sources on the merle gene, but not in association with ACDs. Typically, the adjectives used with ACD colors are solid, speckled, mottled, ticking. Sadly, I am returning the book.

Good

What a fabulous book with very specific useful information for ACD owners. This author really knows dogs and ACDs in particular. The book is well set out, uses intelligent and appropriate language and covers all aspects of dog ownership especially pertaining to ACDs. There are a few small typos and I would have loved the photos in colour but otherwise an excellent and thorough guide. Highly recommend.