Pet Insurance for Australian Cattle Dog
Pet Insurance Australia has been helping owners protect their Australian Cattle Dogs for years, with cover for the breed-specific conditions this hardworking breed is prone to, from hip and elbow dysplasia to inherited eye and hearing conditions.
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Meet The Australian Cattle Dog
Loyal, obedient and relentlessly energetic, the Australian Cattle Dog was bred to work cattle stations and still behaves like it. Incredibly smart and a breeze to train in the right hands, they need a job to do — without one, the digging, barking and escaping start.
This is not an apartment dog. They need over two hours of exercise a day and a securely fenced yard, though they belong inside with the family rather than left alone outdoors. Grooming is the easy part: a weekly going-over with a rubber mitt is about it.
Over a 12 to 16 year lifespan they can be prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, along with inherited eye and hearing conditions. A reputable breeder who genetic tests lowers the odds, and the right cover takes care of the rest.
Claim Up To
$35,0002
Per Year
Common Claims For Australian Cattle Dogs
Known for their trademark eye patch, boundless energy, and unshakeable loyalty, the Australian Cattle Dog, like all dog breeds, can be prone to specific health issues. This table shows just how expensive common conditions can be. With our pet insurance, you can claim back a portion of these costs and avoid large out-of-pocket expenses.
| COMMON CLAIMS | MAXIMUM CLAIM |
|---|---|
| Tissue Damage/Fracture | $4,065.05 |
| Blood Vessel Disorder | $4,210.05 |
| Ear Conditions | $1,663.38 |
| Gastrointestinal Conditions | $3,881.31 |
| Muscle Skeleton Condition | $4,724.44 |
| Arthritis | $1,433.87 |
| Cruciate Ligament | $5,734.34 |
| Neoplasia | $4,943.73 |
| Mass Lesion | $14,244.00 |
| Neurological Condition | $3,800.01 |
Common Health Conditions
For Australian Cattle Dogs
- Hip Dysplasia: A typically hereditary condition causing lameness and pain through malformation and misalignment of the hip joint and thigh bone, which can also lead to arthritis. Treatment includes physiotherapy, weight management and surgery.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A genetic condition causing gradual degeneration of the retina, leading to vision loss and blindness. There is no treatment unless other conditions such as cataracts are also present, so care focuses on keeping your dog safe in their environment.
- Deafness: Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness (CHSD) is an inherited condition found in many breeds including the Australian Cattle Dog, affecting one or both ears, and puppies can be born with it. Early intervention helps reduce hearing loss, so see your vet if you suspect your puppy is hard of hearing.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Like hip dysplasia, a joint malformation affecting the elbow and causing pain and lameness. Treatment involves physiotherapy, weight management and possibly surgery.
- Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD): An orthopaedic condition caused by abnormal cartilage growth in the joints, bringing extreme pain, stiffness and lameness, and most often seen in the elbows and shoulders. It can cause separation of the bone, and treatment involves surgical removal of the diseased cartilage.
- Lens Luxation: A dislocation of the eye lens that causes extreme pain. Specialised surgery is the only treatment.
- Portosystemic Shunt (PSS): A build-up of toxins in the bloodstream caused by blood bypassing the liver, with symptoms including stunted growth, seizures and abnormal behaviour. Treatment involves surgery and medication.
- Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): Also known as choroidal hypoplasia, this inherited disease is far more common in Collies but can affect the Australian Cattle Dog too, causing incomplete eye development that leads to vision loss and blindness. There is no cure, though surgery can address related issues, which makes good breeding and bloodline screening paramount.
- Dermatitis: Skin inflammation that leaves the coat itchy, dry and lifeless. Early detection keeps it under control, with treatment involving medication, medicated shampoos and regular flea treatments.
- Cataracts: A clouding of the eye lens that can lead to vision loss and blindness. Seek veterinary advice early, as treatment can involve surgery.
Get your first 2 months free when you sign up1
Flexible Cover Options
For Your Australian Cattle Dog
Finding the right pet insurance for your Australian Cattle Dog doesn’t need to be confusing. It should be as straightforward as giving them a belly rub! With Pet Insurance Australia, one plan does it all, and you decide how it works.
| Option | What It Means | Your Choices | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual benefit limit2 | This is the maximum amount you can claim for per policy period, subject to any applicable excess, for eligible accidental injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency boarding. Booster Care and Routine Care (non insurance benefit) are subject to their own limits. | $15,000; $25,000 and $35,000 | Lower for budget-conscious premiums; higher if you want more protection. |
| Benefit Percentage14 (Reimbursement) | The percentage of the eligible vet bill we will cover before the applicable annual excess is applied. Where applicable, it is also subject to the annual benefit limit or Booster Care limit. | 70%, 80%, 90% | Higher % can allow you to claim more back on your eligible vet bills. |
| Annual Excess4 | The amount you may contribute to your claim. The annual excess applies to each eligible claim in the policy period until fully paid. | $0, $100, $300, $600* *$600 annual excess not available with 70% benefit percentage | Choose a higher annual excess to help lower your premium. Just remember you may pay more out of pocket at claim time. |
| Routine care add-on7 | Optional non-insurance benefit to cover for everyday care such as vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick | An optional benefit which you can add to your policy | Add for additional vet-cost cover. |
| Specified dental conditions add-on (Booster Care13) | Optional cover for specified dental conditions, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500 | An optional benefit which you can add to your policy | Add for extra vet-cost protection; Great for breeds prone to dental issues. |
| Specialised therapies add-on (Booster Care13) | Optional cover for specialised therapies, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500 | Add to your policy or skip | Add to boost vet-cost protection; skip to lower premium |
| Waiting periods8 | The time from your policy start date when your pet isn’t covered for certain conditions or benefits in the first year you first obtained cover for them. If a condition exists or occurs during the waiting period, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and may be excluded from cover. | Accidental injury – 2days Illness – 30days Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 6 months Specified dental conditions (Booster Care) – 6 months Behavioural conditions (Booster Care)– 30days | Starting early helps ensure your pet is covered sooner rather than later |
| Multi-pet discount12 | A percentage saving when you insure more than one pet. | Get 5% off for each additional pet you insure after the first, up to 15% max. Example: 2nd pet: 5% | Helpful for multi-pet households. |
| Choice of vet | Use any licensed vet in Australia, other than yourself. | Included on all policies | Continue care with your preferred vet |
Want To Learn More? See Everything Our Dog Insurance Covers
Flexible Cover Options For Your Australian Cattle Dog
Finding the right pet insurance for your Australian Cattle Dog doesn’t need to be confusing. It should feel as straightforward as giving them a belly rub! With Pet Insurance Australia, one plan does it all, and you decide how it works.
Annual Benefit Limit2
What It Means
This is the maximum amount you can claim for per policy period, subject to any applicable excess, for eligible accidental injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency boarding.
Booster Care and Routine Care (non insurance benefit) are subject to their own limits.
Your Choices
$15,000; $25,000 and $35,000
Why
Lower for budget-conscious premiums; higher if you want more protection.
Benefit Percentage14 (Reimbursement)
What It Means
The percentage of the eligible vet bill we will cover before the applicable annual excess is applied.
Where applicable, it is also subject to the annual benefit limit or Booster Care limit.
Your Choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Why
Higher % can allow you to claim more back on your eligible vet bills.
Annual Excess4
What It Means
The amount you may contribute to your claim. The annual excess applies to each eligible claim in the policy period until fully paid.
Your Choices
$0, $100, $300, $600*
*$600 annual excess not available with 70% benefit percentage
Why
Choose a higher annual excess to help lower your premium. Just remember you may pay more out of pocket at claim time.
Routine Care Add-On7
What It Means
Optional non-insurance benefit to cover for everyday care such as vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick
Your Choices
An optional benefit which you can add to your policy
Why
Add for additional vet-cost cover.
Specified Dental Conditions Add-On (Booster Care13)
What It Means
Optional cover for specified dental conditions, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500
Your Choices
An optional benefit which you can add to your policy
Why
Add for extra vet-cost protection; Great for breeds prone to dental issues.
Specialised Therapies Add-On Add-On (Booster Care13)
What It Means
Optional cover for specialised therapies, subject to the Booster Care limit of $2500
Your Choices
Add to your policy or skip
Why
Add to boost vet-cost protection; skip to lower premium
Waiting Periods
What It Means
The time from your policy start date when your pet isn’t covered for certain conditions or benefits in the first year you first obtained cover for them.
If a condition exists or occurs during the waiting period, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and may be excluded from cover.
Your Choices
Accidental injury – 2days
Illness – 30days
Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 6 months
Specified dental conditions (Booster Care) – 6 months
Behavioural conditions (Booster Care)– 30days
Why
Starting early helps ensure your pet is covered sooner rather than later
Multi-Pet Discount12
What It Means
A percentage saving when you insure more than one pet.
Your Choices
Get 5% off for each additional pet you insure after the first, up to 15% max.*
Example:
2nd pet: 5%
Why
Helpful for multi-pet households.
Choice Of Vet
What It Means
Use any licensed vet in Australia, other than yourself.
Your Choices
Continue care with your preferred vet
Why
Helpful for multi-pet households.
Caring For An Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are highly trainable working dogs that thrive on consistent training and are a breeze to train in the right hands. They love learning and pleasing their owners, and excel at dog sports like flyball and agility. This is an incredibly smart breed that needs mental stimulation and purposeful activity, because a bored heeler quickly becomes a destructive one. Early socialisation is essential, with plenty of exposure to different sights, sounds and experiences while they’re young.
The Dane’s short coat is easy to care for but does shed, so regular grooming helps. Get your dog comfortable with bathing and nail clipping from a young age, as there is a lot of dog to manage if they never learn to enjoy it. On exercise, take care not to over-exercise a young Dane while those big joints are still growing. A grown Dane will happily take a daily walk, a run or a swim, but watch for signs of exhaustion and take care during rough play with smaller dogs, who can be accidentally injured by their size.
Cattle Dogs can make great family pets with proper training and early socialisation, though supervision around children is essential given those herding instincts, and they’ll live happily alongside cats and smaller animals if raised with them. They’re not suited to apartment living and need a securely fenced yard that gets checked regularly, with ample shade in summer and shelter in winter. While they’ll cope outdoors during the day, they’re a loyal, loving friend who should be invited into the family home — solitary outdoor life doesn’t suit them. When choosing a puppy, source only from a reputable breeder who conducts genetic health testing, ask about inherited problems, request to see the parents, and check with local breed clubs.
Fast Facts
Average Height
Female: 43 – 48cm
Male: 46 – 51cm
Average Weight
15 – 22 kg
Temperament
Alert, intelligent, energetic, trustworthy, loyal, courageous, protective and can be nippy
Lifespan
13 – 15 years
Known Genetic Issues
Progressive Retina Atrophy (PRA), Deafness, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia and Patella Luxation
Country of Origin
Australia
Exercise Requirements
This active breed needs over 2 hours of exercise per day, including hiking, walking, running or agility training.
Coat
A short, double-layered coat with a dense, fine layer undercoat and a straight, rain-resistant topcoat
Coat Colours
Distinctive red speckle or blue with mottling or speckling and a patch around one or both eyes
Specific Care Requirements
A high degree of exercise is needed to keep this breed physically and mentally stimulated, so they’re not suited for apartment living or small backyard spaces.
Get Started with Pet Insurance Australia
Pet Insurance Australia is here to back your best mate with flexible options and fast claims. Get a quote today and explore pet insurance for Cattle Dogs in Australia—made to support your dog’s health every step of the way.
