[Seadog Bytes]

RE: "Now that’s a good dog! :-) ...looks hairy and good for high altitude. What’s the breed called? Can it be trained to avoid chasing cattle, yaks, goats, chickens, and the like?"

It looks to be a cross to me, but I am certainly not an expert.
...Australian Cattle Dog + Border Collie perhaps? If that is so, it would be highly intelligent, and eminently trainable, but I highly doubt you'd easily suppress their inate 'herding' instincts... Don't know if it's true, but I have heard that they will even 'herd' your kids for you, if you let them. (...but I don't imagine that the kids like it much.) grin.

Let's ask Fred and Taz...

...Please... Can either of you add info to this for us? (RE: Pic in #14 above)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2277036/posts?page=14#14

...Thanks!

[familyop]

Thanks. I worked with an Australian cattle dog. He didn’t bother the cattle without being told to. It seems that a dog like that might probably be a good one in bear country, too (hit-and-run dogs better than hounds that will try to stay too closely engaged). ...only problem at high altitudes is the short hair (as with ridgebacks).

[familyop]

I don’t use dogs for hunting bear, BTW, but do prefer to have a pet that won’t get itself killed, when one comes through. Cougars are pretty thick at night, too.

[Fred Nerks]

Hi Seadog!

The Australian Cattle Dog that we see today is the result of the crossing of the Blue Merle Collie (originally from Scotland) with the Dingo, and a late infusion of Dalmatian and Black and Tan Kelpie. This combination proved to be a great success.

Instantly recognisable and iconic to outback Australia, the Australian Cattle Dog is one of the three most popular breeds downunder. Stocky and compact, the breed is blue or red mottled. They have a medium-length tail, which in their ‘working’ days helped balance them when turning quickly.

Instinctively protective and a self-appointed guardian, the Australian Cattle Dog thrives on interaction with people, making it the ideal companion. This breed needs physical and mental stimulation and regular exercise and obedience training will ensure it doesn’t think up activities for itself, like landscaping or jumping fences. Teaching the Australian Cattle Dog a variety of party tricks will also help to occupy its mind, not to mention impress visitors.

[TASMANIANRED]

Sorry I missed the ping.

I’ve voting with you...Definitely Border collie to the bone but with Australian features in the markings.