Hall's Heeler
The Hall’s Heeler was a strain of cattle dog developed by Thomas Hall in Australia. It is the direct ancestor to the modern day Australian Cattle Dog although other breeds were used in its development.
Hall was born in the Australian colony in 1808 (his family arriving previously in 1802). They owned several cattle stations, including their main homestead, Dartbrook. For years they had difficulties driving their cattle across the Australian Outback to Sydney. They needed strong drovers capable of working long hours over rough terrain and in a harsh climate. European dogs were not suited to this task as most herding breeds traveled shorter distances and their charges were penned rather than free range.
Hall began by importing collies from England, but these dogs should not be confused with any of today's breeds. ‘Collie’ encompasses a group of dogs similar in type and this was even more true before the invent of kennel clubs. It is believed his foundation stock included blue merles and likely some Smithfields. He crossed the collies with tamed Dingos, which increased the dog's stamina, without losing their working abilities.
Some believe he also used another strain of developing cattle dog, the Timmon’s Biter in his line. However, other authors have credited Hall with supplying Timmon with a pair of Hall’s Heelers to begin this bloodline. According to some sources Timmon was known to be an associate of Hall's, so it is possible the strains influenced each other.
By the 1840s the Hall’s Heeler was breeding true. However for business reasons Hall rarely allowed outsiders to obtain his dogs. Upon his death in 1870 the line would finally be dispersed and the transformation from Hall’s Heeler to the modern Australian Cattle Dog began.
Hall was born in the Australian colony in 1808 (his family arriving previously in 1802). They owned several cattle stations, including their main homestead, Dartbrook. For years they had difficulties driving their cattle across the Australian Outback to Sydney. They needed strong drovers capable of working long hours over rough terrain and in a harsh climate. European dogs were not suited to this task as most herding breeds traveled shorter distances and their charges were penned rather than free range.
Hall began by importing collies from England, but these dogs should not be confused with any of today's breeds. ‘Collie’ encompasses a group of dogs similar in type and this was even more true before the invent of kennel clubs. It is believed his foundation stock included blue merles and likely some Smithfields. He crossed the collies with tamed Dingos, which increased the dog's stamina, without losing their working abilities.
Some believe he also used another strain of developing cattle dog, the Timmon’s Biter in his line. However, other authors have credited Hall with supplying Timmon with a pair of Hall’s Heelers to begin this bloodline. According to some sources Timmon was known to be an associate of Hall's, so it is possible the strains influenced each other.
By the 1840s the Hall’s Heeler was breeding true. However for business reasons Hall rarely allowed outsiders to obtain his dogs. Upon his death in 1870 the line would finally be dispersed and the transformation from Hall’s Heeler to the modern Australian Cattle Dog began.
Hall's Heeler Facts
- medium-sized herder
- prick ears
- blue-merle or red coat
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