Stumpy - Tail Cattle Dog

COUNTRY: Australia
WEIGHT: 35-45 pounds
HEIGHT: 17-20 inches
COAT: Medium-short, harsh, straight, dense
COLOR: Blue speckled with black markings on head; red speckled with darker red markings on head
GROUP: Herding

Sharing much of the same history and appearance as the Australian Cattle Dog, the Stumpy-Tail Cattle Dog is a cross of the Smithfield and Dingo, accomplished by a drover named Tim-mons. The Smithfield was a longhaired, black and white bobtail, similar to a small Old English Sheepdog. The first samples of Stumpy-Tails were red in color, bob-tailed and were tabbed Timmons Biters. A later influx of Blue-Merle Collies added the blue coloration. The Stumpy-Tail was bred selectively for the three to four inch bobs.

Like the AuCaDo, the Stumpy bites low—at the foot still touching the ground—and immediately crouches to avoid the ensuing kick. A natural selection was easily accomplished by the cattle themselves. A bite to the heel of the hoof in the air, or a tendency to stay erect, served only to lay open the skull of the under-achiever.
The tail must be a natural bob of less than four inches. The Stumpy'$ close relative, the Australian Cattle Dog, is sometimes born tailless as well. The Stumpy-Cattle Dog is unknown outside Australia and is becoming rare in its native land as well.