As with all dogs that are brought up with the animals around them, an Australian Cattle Dog raised with other household pets tends to do very well. They will never give up the tendency to herd or boss around their housemates, but rarely does it cause anything more than occasional aggravations. The breed has a strong tendency for establishing pack order but obedience training in the imprinting stages of puppyhood helps to keep aggression from being part of the equation. The Cattle Dog is simply one that comes with a rather strong personality or bold character; something that is a must for any dog bred to face off with a two thousand pound bovine.
With older dogs past the imprinting stage, it is a matter of personality and experience as to what they will or will not tolerate. While some are tolerant of cats, some are completely intolerant of other dogs. Then there are those that aren't happy unless and until they are in the presence of an entire farm full of animals. When introducing a Cattle Dog into the house for the first time it is important for animals to meet each other on neutral ground. The order conscious Cattle Dog is wary of new situations and establishing trust plays a major role in a Cattle Dog's relationships.
Adding another Australian Cattle Dog is rarely a problem as both dogs are on the same page as far establishing pack order. In general, a best bet is to opt for a male and female that, unless there are plans for breeding, are spayed and neutered at a very young age. With other dogs, making sure there are plenty of toys and that food dishes are set several feet apart can help keep disagreements to a minimum. Most dogs occasionally spar over trivial issues but unless they are truly hurting each other, the two should work their issues out on their own. Dogs should never be allowed to fight over an owner's attention.
For the most part, Cattle Dogs tend to enjoy being in the company of others, whether in human or animal form. It gives them a chance to put their herding skills to use, not to mention establish order and jump into their duties as deputy dog. When there is more than one Cattle Dog in the house, it also means that there are at least two dogs of the same energy level to keep each other busy. Many owners of Australian Cattle Dogs have plenty of pictures in their family albums that show their cats, dogs and other pets curled up together in perfect harmony. Though they tend to have a strong personality, there is hardly anyone in the house that has doubts as to the Cattle Dog's ultimate role as the family protector.
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