How to Adopt an Australian Cattle Dog in the United States

Where can you adopt an Australian Cattle Dog?

• Heeler and cattle dog rescues. Volunteer rescues such as Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue place cattle dogs from foster homes, and ACD Rescue Inc. supports rescues of purebred cattle dogs across the United States and Canada, including emergency funding.
• Breed club contacts. The Australian Cattle Dog Club of America (ACDCA) links to ACD Rescue Inc. from its site, and the AKC Rescue Network lists breed rescues by state.
• Shelters. Heelers and heeler mixes also come into city and county shelters, so search for cattle dog mixes too.
• Owners rehoming a dog. Some owners place their own dogs directly; see how to take in a rehomed Australian Cattle Dog.

You can also browse Australian Cattle Dogs listed for adoption and save the search to get alerts when a new dog is listed.

What is the process to adopt a Blue Heeler or Red Heeler from a rescue?

Each rescue sets its own rules, but most follow the same steps. Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue is a typical example:

1. Fill in an adoption application about your home, schedule, other pets and experience.
2. Take a phone interview with a volunteer, who will suggest dogs that fit.
3. Give references, often including your vet.
4. Have a home visit to check that the home is safe, secure and suitable.
5. Meet the dog, ideally with everyone in the household and your own dog.
6. Sign the adoption contract and pay the fee.

Arizona Cattle Dog Rescue keeps its dogs in foster homes around the state, does not ship dogs and asks adopters to travel to Arizona to meet and adopt. Expect similar limits from rescues elsewhere.

How much does it cost to adopt an Australian Cattle Dog?

Rescue fees usually go toward spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip, so ask what the dog has already had. Fees change, so confirm with the rescue before you apply.

What does a heeler rescue look for at the home check?

• Time and a job. The ACDCA says a cattle dog needs a job or a purpose to be happy. Be ready to describe daily walks, runs, training or a dog sport.
• Children's ages. The AKC warns that heelers may nip at or try to corral children and suit families with older children best.
• The yard. A secure fence and gates matter, but the club warns that cattle dogs do not thrive if left alone in the back yard.
• Housing. PetMD and Hill's both say the breed is not suited to apartment living, so expect questions if you rent a small home.
• Other animals. The AKC says cattle dogs can live with dogs they were raised with but may be aggressive with unfamiliar ones.

Be honest. Rescues match dogs to homes, and a dog that suits your life is more likely to stay.

Is an adult Australian Cattle Dog right for you?

An adult's energy, manners and tolerance of other animals are already known, which helps you choose. The ACDCA puts the breed's average life span at about 12 to 16 years, so a dog adopted at four or five may have many years ahead.

• Hearing. In a 2012 Australian study of 899 cattle dogs, 10.8% were deaf in one or both ears. Ask whether the dog has had a BAER hearing test; deafness in one ear is easy to miss.
• Eyes. The club notes that blindness is a problem in the breed, from conditions such as PRA and primary lens luxation. Ask about any eye exam.
• Strangers. The breed standard calls cattle dogs naturally suspicious of strangers. Ask how the dog greets visitors.
• Nipping and herding. Ask whether the dog nips at heels, chases bikes or cars, or herds children.

What should you do in the first weeks with an adopted heeler?

• Expect a rough 3-3-3 pattern: about three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine and three months to feel at home.
• Start a short daily routine of exercise and training from day one; the ACDCA says positive training works best with this breed.
• Keep the dog on a leash outside a secure yard until you know its recall, and fit an ID tag with your phone number.
• Register the microchip in your name; the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup shows which registry holds it.
• Book your own vet visit in the first couple of weeks and ask for a hearing and eye check.
• Introduce visitors calmly and slowly, and ask children not to run from a dog that nips.

Rescues and owners placing a dog can read how to list an Australian Cattle Dog for adoption. If you would rather start with a puppy, see how to buy an Australian Cattle Dog puppy, or post an Australian Cattle Dog wanted ad to let rescues and owners know what you are looking for.