Connor Couch, 14 years old, researched and wrote the following
speech for FFA, by himself. He went to Regionals, then on to State
competition, where he earned a 2
nd
and 4
th
placement for his efforts.
A
ustralian Cattle Dogs are very useful in herding. My grandfather has
been breeding ACDs for over 40 years. This Australian dog was a turn
around from the bob-tailed dog, the "Smithfield". These dogs were one of the
worst herding dogs of the time. In 1840, Thomas Hall crossed a Dingo with a
Welsh Heeler, which proved to be what the cattlemen were looking for.
The pup's, called Hall's Heelers, worked quickly and quietly. The dog just nipped
at the heels, not trying to eat the livestock alive. It also went "belly down" after it
bit the cow, so it was safe and could herd another day. This kept the heeler
injury free. These dogs worked very hard and well in hot weather in the
Australian Outback.
Over the years, breeders crossed different breeds, such as Dingoes, Dalmatians,
Smooth Collies and Bull Terriers, and made dogs that proved to be the best
herding dogs of the year. That combination is still a very good herding dog today.
My family has raised Australian Cattle Dogs for several years. My grandfather,
Jim Buzzard, has a stud dog that is very athletic and provides great genetics for
his kennel. The stud dog's name is CH Buzzards Blue Duramax. Duramax is
about 20 inches in height and sixty-five pounds. His PRCD test proved to be an
A which is the best you can get in a dog. The PRA is a dog stands for
Progressive Retinal Atrophy. The grades for this test consist of three letters. The
letter A is normal and can be bred to any dog and not produce any pups
affected with PRA. The letter B is non-affected, but probably a carrier of PRA and
should be bred to a pattern A so they will never produce any pups affected with
PRA. A letter C has a high risk of having PRA and is homozygous recessive for
PRA and should only be bred to pattern A dogs, but they will only produce
pattern B puppies. Duramax has a scissor bite and full dentation, which is
perfect also. He is the son of male, CH Buzzards Kicken' Up Dust, and female,
Buzzards Little Miss Rip. Duramax is a blue dog instead of red. These dogs are
also sometimes called blue and red heelers.
The Australian Cattle Dogs are also excellent show dogs. My
little brother, Colston Couch, has shown dogs since he was 7.
He still loves it at the age of 12. He has won a lot showing my
family's dogs and placed champion titles on dogs. He had the
opportunity this last February to go to New York City and show
in the Westminster Dog Show. There are several different
placings in the regular show ring. They include Best of Breed,
Best of Opposite Sex, and Best of Winners.
There are many ways to show an Australian Cattle Dog. It is
mostly what the judge wants to see in a dog. The judge
doesn't compare each dog to the other dog, but uses the
breed standard to place each individual. The breed standard
is a written description of the ideal specimen that is approved
by the American Kennel Club. The first time a
dog shows at a competition it goes against
dogs of its own breed. The Best of Breed
winner will be facing the dogs in the
Herding Group. The dog that wins
there will face the other Group
winners to try for Best In Show.
Shows judge how your
dogs stand up to the
breed standard to
help with your
breeding
program.