Breeding the best in Australian Cattle Dogs
Our History
Welcome to REEL Australian Cattle Dogs, a small Canadian Kennel Club registered breeding kennel located in Okotoks, Alberta in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies. Dena Denali is a preservation breeder who does not breed often however is dedicated to improving the breed and is diligent in setting her puppies and their families up for success.
All of the dogs in her breeding program are health tested and performance proven ACD partners with stable temperaments & exceptional structure for longevity. Our kennel name REEL is a reference to our participation in various film projects over the years and a testament to our versatility.
ALL About HEELERS
Do your Homework
Australian Cattle Dogs are also know as Red or Blue Heelers and are not a breed for the faint of heart. This highly intelligent and durable breed does not need a heavy hand to manage it as often thought. They are bred to go into livestock pressure to deal with that pesky situation that their human does not want to handle themselves. This means that if you try to strong arm an ACD to get your way, you might win once or twice, however in the long run you will be met with a great deal of pushback and often be on the losing side! Though consistent regular exercise is necessary, mental challenges are equally if not more important. They are loyal and steadfast companions and can be versatile to live in both rural and urban settings with the right people.
See About ACDs for more insights.
what a dog
Why Acds?
REEL Australian Cattle Dog Puppies
Whether you are just starting your journey into understanding the breed or you are ready to jump in with both feet, you are in the right place. Take a look at the PUPPY FAQs page to see what we have to offer. We take great pride in ensuring a responsible breeding program combined with exceptional rearing practices ensuring our puppies are healthy and well-socialized, making them fabulous additions to both the family home and workplace.
The Stars That Make us Reel
While ROMEO has not been been a part of our breeding genetics, his story from abused rescue to movie star is what inspired the Reel Australian Cattle Dog breeding program. While my dogs are part of my breeding plans, they are first and foremost family members that live in my home. Delve into the personalities and faces behind the puppies HERE.
How are Reel ACDs different?
I’ve been blessed with ACDs in my life for almost 30 years and in that time I have learned a lot about how not to handle them, what works, what doesn’t and why responsible breeding choices should matter to every dog owner, regardless of the breed but especially with Australian Cattle Dogs. Rather than criticize the industry, I opted to “BE THE CHANGE…”
Watch your puppy grow up!
Transparency is important at REEL Australian Cattle Dogs so we give you a peek behind the curtain as to what goes on here. Raising a litter is a lot of work, especially when a breeder puts the amount of effort into training and socialization that we do. As busy as we are, we try to post to our PUPPY BLOG daily when raising a litter to show you the progress that the puppies make with the challenges we put them through using pictures and videos. This not only keeps you in the loop but it will help you appreciate the foundation that your puppy leaves here with to start a successful transition to life with you!
About Dena
My Daily
Besides being passionate about Australian Cattle Dogs, I also have been blessed to find a truly rewarding career as an Integrative Orthopaedic Medical Massage Therapist with Body Kneads Integrative Healing since 2001. I was a Trainer for a local junior hockey team for a few years and I spent 20 years traveling with the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team throughout Canada helping rodeo athletes stay healthy. In observing rodeo athletes and their horses I began noticing connections between horse & rider and decided to add Equine Sport Massage Therapist certification to the repertoire, crossing over the vast human knowledge I’d acquired into the quadruped.
I’ve been a traveling Teaching Assistant for James Waslaski at the Center for Pain Management since 2013 which has provided another level to the work I had already been doing in my human medical massage but also influences my work on dogs and horses.
I share these details about the “other part of me” because my passion for healing and wellness also influences and reflects in the choices I make in my breeding program.