The Stumpy Tailed Heeler is a naturally bobtailed or tailless, medium-sized cattle dog similar and/or related to the Australian Cattle Dog (aka, 'Blue/Red Heeler'). The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog was developed in Australia to herd cattle, and descends from crosses between European herding dogs and the Australian dingo. The name is spelled both with hyphenation, and without, and while the shorter name Heeler is sometimes applied, the name Heeler most often refers to the Australian Cattle Dog . The ideal temperament of the Heeler is described in the breed standard as alert and watchful, as well as responsive to its owner and reserved around strangers, but also notes that 'it must be amenable to handling' at shows. All working dogs need early socialisation with people, and consistent training and activity throughout their lives. (Source: Wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA)