Australian Cattle Dogs were originally developed in Australia for droving cattle over long distances, across rough terrain. They are a hardy and spirited breed of medium-sized dogs, who are most happy when they have a job to do. If they get bored, they are likely to get into mischief and develop some behavioral problems. After all, they are related to Australia’s famous wild dog, the Dingo.

What Makes the Australian Cattle Dog Special?

Australian Cattle Dogs, also called Heelers, are extremely intelligent, and have even been known to outsmart their owners. They are hard-muscled, strong, and agile. They have an immense work drive, and excel at herding and chasing livestock, as well as in hunting. They are known for their ability to move cattle by nipping and biting at their ankles. For this reason, they need to be introduced to households with young children as early in life as possible, so as to be taught early on this is not acceptable behavior with family members.

Puppies are born with a white coat that will eventually turn blue-gray or red, hence the nicknames, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler, respectively.  Whether blue or red, their coats boast a mottled or speckled pattern. They stand at 17-20 inches at the shoulder, and range from 35-50 pounds in weight.

Now that you know a little about their background, let’s delve into some names for your new Australian Cattle Dog. There are so many choices out there, so we hope these suggestions can make the naming process a little easier!

Famous Australian Cattle Dog Names

Maybe you like the idea of naming your new pup after an already-famous Australian Cattle Dog.  Here are some popular choices from books, tv, and movies:

Job-Related Names

Australian Cattle Dogs were bred to do just what their name implies, herd cattle. Here are some names that fit right in with what your dog was made to do for a living:

Names Related to Appearance

Some people like to name their pets with monikers that fill well with their appearance. Because of their speckled pattern and the markings on their faces, here are a few fitting names inspired by Australian Cattle Dogs’ distinctive features:

Names for Female Australian Cattle Dogs

Maybe you just want a cute name for your little princess—after all, not all Australian Cattle Dogs will be chasing down cows. Take a look at some of these:

Names for Male Australian Cattle Dogs

How about some not-so-cute names for your male pup? Maybe you want something a little stronger or more masculine sounding, something to show that determination and focus these dogs are known for. Consider some of these rugged options:

Names Associated with Australia

Several of the previously stated names have a direct link to Australia—whether it’s a slang term, a name of a famous person from there, or a type of food. Here are some more Australian-insipred names that don’t quite fit into any of those categories. We’ve even added the meanings for a few of them:

Final Thoughts

Finding a name for your new pup can be overwhelming. As you can see, there is a multitude of options to choose from—depending on your new canine companion’s features, personality, as well as your personal preference and style. We hope this list we’ve compiled will help guide you and make the process of naming your new Australian Cattle Dog a little easier and less stressful.

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Featured Image Credit: marco allasio, Pexels