Meet
Chaco
McQueen
Loyalty, Intelligence, Stamina & Tenacity:
the four qualities I was looking for in an assistance-dog put the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, at the top of my LIST. While this breed might not be a good choice for others, it was for me. In the short time we've had her, Chaco has met or exceeded all of my expectations and become a treasured member of our family. She has a fantastic disposition for a herder and is a very, very happy dog
We got Chaco from a ranch near the Superstitions in Maricopa County, AZ, when she was 2 months old. Represented as pure ACD, she does appear to have some Catahoula Leopard Hound in her.  Both of her parents worked cattle for a living and most if not all of her littermates followed suit. She, too, has a strong herding instinct and loves to work.
Although we have no livestock, we do have an older, special-needs Chihuahua named "Summer's Bee"  that gets disoriented when we let her outside. When this happens, Chaco will gently herd her itsy-bitsy big sister back into the house for us. Chaco's sweet nature and flambouyant personality are what won us over and put an end to my 4-month long search for that "special"  pup. Since the day we brought my little "Junebug" home, she has stuck to me like glue
Always eager to please, Chaco is a quick and enthusiastic learner. At 10 weeks of age, she knew all your basic obedience commands except "heel" and was completely housebroken. By 14 weeks, she had also learned most of her special commands and was performing those tasks as well. At 7 mos. we had her rattlesnake-proofed, a necessity here where we live (on acreage in open desert). At 9 months, we started group lessons to work on distractions and began honing her ID skills for object retrieval. She's a very obedient dog.
Bringing Mom her keys.
Playful and full of energy, Chaco started low-impact agility at 5 months, with the blessings of our vet, on a puppy-friendly course designed to accommodate both of us. Except for the tunnel and barrel, all the obstacles are homemade. It's lots of fun and helps to reinforce our partnership. Once or twice a week, I take Chaco to a nearby doggy retreat, where she can burn off any excess energy playing w/other dogs and swimming in the pond. This girl has an energy level off the Richter Scale!
Like many pups, Chaco spent alot of time experimenting w/her environment including the wildlife that shares it. Turkey Vultures are her absolute favorite to try and sneak up on. She also likes to chase bunnies and lizards and has learned not to leave our property in pursuit of them. As far as coyotes go, she doesn't like them at all and at 7 months of age had to go through desensitization to get over the anxiety they caused her. Indoors, she loves to play w/Gizmo, a feline buddy brimming "catitude". These two get into lots of mischief together.
Chaco especially enjoys all the attention she gets here at home from me, my hubby an our two sons. We absolutely adore her and she knows it!
Playtraining:
Obedience integrated w/backyard agility
Jumping Junebug
Hoop Dance
Pause box serenade
Training is fun!
Herding our yearling ewe, Hattie.
Please take a moment to leave your
in Chaco's Guestbook.
Chaco's Photo Album
Cowdog in the Kitchen
The Lake
Jumping Junebug! Herding Lessons
1st Birthday
Sheep for Keeps!
New Baby Bro
Herding Shots
Bully Stick Fairy
2nd Birthday
Driving Cattle
Dog-Breaking Lambs
'Tis the Season 2003
So Doggone Funny
CGC & Instinct Testing
Mudbogging
More Links:
Lil Brother Pecos' Website
Is An ACD Right for You and Your Family?
So You Think You Want an ACD?
For information on assistance dogs in general
Non-toxic Flea and Tick Remedies