Description

The sculpture commemorates the Australian Cattle Dog ( the Blue Heeler) which was bred at 'Dartbrook', approximately 12 kilometres north of Muswellbrook. Thomas Hall of 'Dartbrook' saw the need for a special type of dog to assist in the management of stock, particularly cattle on the huge pastoral holdings throughout the Upper Hunter region, where stock roamed wild and free on the large, unfenced stations being mustered only once or twice a year. In the 1840`s Thomas Hall established the line of 'Heelers' by crossing the native Dingo with the Northumberland Blue Merle Drover`s dog. The aim was to produce an ideal dog able to withstand heat, and long treks, to be quiet worker and effective in the roundup of wild bush cattle.