Deathstroke and Australian Cattle Dog: Difference between pages

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{{Superherobox| <!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->

{| border=1 cellspacing=0 align=right cellpadding=2

image=[[Image:Bad deathstroke.jpg|225px]]

|- align=center bgcolor=pink

|caption=Deathstroke

!Australian Cattle Dog

|comic_color=background:#8080ff

|-align="center"

|character_name=Deathstroke

|[[Image:AustrCattleDogBlue_wb.jpg|thumbnail|250px|none|Blue coat color; this dog's tail is docked.]]

|status=Netural

|- align=center bgcolor=pink

|real_name=Slade Wilson

!Alternative names

|publisher=[[DC Comics]]

|-

|debut=''New Teen Titans'' #2

|

|creators=[[Marv Wolfman]]<br>[[George Perez]]

{| align=center

|alliance_color=background:#cccccc

|-

|status=Active

|Australian Heeler

|alliances=

|-

|previous_alliances=[[Terra (comics)|Terra]]

|Blue Heeler

|aliases=The Terminator

|-

|relatives=Addie Kane Wilson (ex-wife, deceased), Joseph Wilson (son, [[Jericho (comics)|Jericho, deceased]]), Grant Wilson (son, Ravager, deceased), Rose Wilson (daughter, Ravager)

|Red Heeler

|powers=Increased mental capacity, Quick reflexes, Regeneration, Immortal, Strength, Stamina, Artificial eye sees in infrared vision

|}}-

|Hall's Heeler

'''Deathstroke''' (Slade Wilson), sometimes called '''Deathstroke the Terminator''', is a [[fictional character]] appearing in the [[DC Comics]] [[DC Universe|universe]]. He is a [[mercenary]] and [[assassin]]. He first appeared in ''[[Teen Titans|New Teen Titans]]'' vol. 1 #2 ([[1980]]).

|-

|Queensland Heeler

|}

|- align=center bgcolor=pink

!Country of origin

|- align=center

|[[Australia]]

|- align=center bgcolor=pink

!Common nicknames

|- align=center

|Bluey, ACD, Cattledog

|- align=center bgcolor=pink

!Classification and breed standards

|-

|

{| align=center

|[[Fédération Cynologique Internationale|FCI]]: ||Group 1 Section 2 #287

|-

|[[American Kennel Club|AKC]]: ||Herding

|[http://www.akc.org/breeds/australian_cattle_dog/index.cfm Std]

|-

|[[Australian National Kennel Council|ANKC]]: ||Group 5 (Working Dogs)

|[http://www.ankc.aust.com/austcat.html Std]

|-

|[[Canadian Kennel Club|CKC]]: ||Group 7 - Herding Dogs

|[http://www.nwstar.com/~acdcc/standard.htm Std]

|-

|[[Kennel Club (UK)|KC(UK)]]: ||Pastoral

|[http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/discoverdogs/pastoral/p835.htm Std]

|-

|[[New Zealand Kennel Club|NZKC]]: ||Working

|[http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br504.html Std]

|-

|[[United Kennel Club|UKC]]: || Herding Dog Breeds

|[http://www.ukcdogs.com/breeds/herdingdogs/australiancattledog.std.shtml Std]

|-

|}

|}<!-- end of breed table -->

The '''Australian Cattle Dog''' (ACD), also known as the '''Queensland Heeler''', '''Blue Heeler''', and '''Red Heeler''', is a [[herding dog]] developed in Australia for controlling [[cattle]]. It is a medium-sized dog with a lot of energy and an independent streak.

==Appearance==

==Character History==

[[Image:AustrCattleDogBlueFace_wb.jpg|thumbnail|left|One variant of Blue face markings]]

The Cattle Dog's coat comes in a variety of markings, sometimes quite striking. The basic coat colors are ''blue'' and ''red speckle''. For dog owners whose interest is primarily in their qualification for [[dog show]]s, even markings are preferred over uneven markings, and large solid-color marks on the body are undesireable. For owners who are more interested in their dogs' performance in activities such as [[herding]] or [[dog sports]], the breed's strong work ethic and intelligence are of more importance than the exact coat markings.

The mask is one of the most distinctive features of an ACD. This mask consists of a darker red patch over one or both eyes (for the red speckle coat color) or a black patch over one or both eyes (for the blue coat color). These are called, respectively, ''single mask'' and ''double mask''. ACDs without a mask are called ''plain-faced''. Any of these is correct according to the breed standard, and the only limitation is the owner's preference.

Imbued with amazing physical prowess by secret army experiments, Deathstroke also has an amazing [[healing factor]] which can regenerate his body, even from death. He is also a crack marksman and skilled hand-to-hand combatant, and is willing to fight dirty when necessary.

[[Image:AustrCattleDogRed_wb.jpg|thumbnail|left|Red speckle coat color with undocked tail]]

Many Australian Cattle Dogs have a stripe of white hair in the center of the forehead, usually 1/2 inch to 1 inch by 2 inches to 3 inches (about 2 cm by 7 cm) called the ''Bentley Mark''. This is similar in appearance to the blaze markings sometimes found on [[horse]]s. According to legend, a popular dog owned by Tom Bentley passed on this distinctive mark to all Australian Cattle Dogs.

A female Australian Cattle Dog should measure about 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) at the [[withers]]. A male Australian Cattle Dog should measure about 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 cm) at the [[withers]]. An ACD is a well-muscled, compact dog with a short, dense coat and a naturally long tail. An ACD in good condition should weigh roughly 40 to 50 pounds (18 to 23 kg).

However, he kept this career secret from his family, even though his wife was a crack military combat instructor, until a criminal kidnapped his younger son, Joseph, as a hostage to force Slade to divulge some secret information. Slade refused to do so and attacked and killed the kidnappers at the rendezvous. Unfortunately, Joseph's throat was slashed by one of the criminals before Slade could prevent it, destroying his [[vocal cords]] and rendering him mute. After taking Joseph to the hospital, Slade's wife, enraged at his endangerment of her son, tried to kill Slade by shooting him, but only managed to destroy one of his eyes. Afterward, his confidence in his physical abilities was such that he made no secret of his impaired vision, marked by his mask which has a black featureless half covering his lost eye.

Some breeders [[docking|dock]] ACD's tails. This is a controversial practice and, in some countries, is illegal or is prohibited for dogs in the [[dog show|show ring]].

Slade has a long history as an enemy of the Teen Titans, beginning when his other son, Grant, became an early Titans foe called the Ravager who was physically enhanced to fulfil a contract to kill or capture the Teen Titans. However, those enhancements proved fatal and Slade agreed to complete the contract. As a result, he attacked the Titans continually and finally succeeded in capturing them by introducing [[Terra (comics)|Terra]] into the team as a spy. At the end of this plot, Slade was defeated and captured with the help of Joseph, who joined the team as [[Jericho (comics)|Jericho]]. Despite their enmity, he has grudgingly worked alongside the Titans on occasion, usually to battle a greater evil.

Docking Australian Cattle Dogs' tails is a practice peculiar to the United States - ACD tails are not docked in their country of origin, Australia. This is not to be confused with the Stumpy-tailed Cattle Dog, which is born with a naturally docked, or 'bobbed' tail; this animal strongly resembles the ACD in colouring, but has a slightly taller, leaner conformation.

==Temperament==

Deathstroke was eventually forced to kill Jericho after his possession by the tainted souls of Azarath. Recently it was revealed that Jericho managed to transfer his consciousness into Deathstroke in the instant before his death. Taking control of his father, Jericho launched a series of attacks against the current Teen Titans, most notably shattering [[Bart Allen|Impulse]]'s knee with a shotgun blast. Deathstroke was freed of Jericho's control and has since brought his one remaining child, [[Rose Wilson]], into the mercenary business as the new Ravager.

Like many [[herding dog]]s, Cattle Dogs have high energy levels and active minds. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do, such as participating in [[dog sports]], learning tricks, or other activities that engage their minds. Some individuals find repetitive training frustrating and dull, so owners should aim to make training sessions varied and more exciting in order to keep their Dog intrested. Cattle Dogs who do not receive the appropriate exercise and entertainment will invent their own, often destructive, activities. These Dogs are, by nature, timid or wary. They are naturally cautious, and grow more so as they age.Their aggresive nature on strangers make them perfect gaurd dogs.

Cattle Dogs drive cattle by nipping at their heels, but they have also been known to herd other animals, such as ducks or chickens without instruction when left to their own devices. When around people, their instinct to herd is sometimes hard to suppress and they can nip at people to herd them. If these dogs will be around children, they and their owners must have sufficient training to know how to manage or avoid such situations.

==Australian Cattle Dog activities==

Deathstroke received his own series, ''Deathstroke the Terminator'', in [[1991]]; this series lasted for 61 issues (#1-60 plus a special #0 issue), being cancelled shortly after [[Zero Hour (comics)|Zero Hour]]. It was retitled to ''Deathstroke the Hunted'' for issues #0 and #41-45 and then simply "Deathstroke" from 46 through 60.

[[Image:Acd_diving.jpg|thumbnail|left|ACDs need and enjoy any activity, such as diving and swimming.]]

Australian Cattle Dogs not only tolerate a high level of physical activity, they almost demand it. Like many other [[herding dog]] breeds, they have active and fertile minds that turn mischievous if not properly channeled. ACDs are highly intelligent and can be very bossy.

Many critics complain that writer [[Rob Liefeld]] copied the Deathstroke character in his work at [[Marvel Comics]], creating Wade Wilson, alias [[Deadpool]], an amoral, quick-healing mercenary who clashed with Marvel's formerly-teenaged hero team, [[X-Force]].

==In ''Teen Titans'' animated series==

[[Image:Slade.png|frame|Top-left: Slade with the birthmark. Top-right: Slade disguised as the Old One from '''Forces of Nature'''. Bottom: Slade's normal appearance]]

Deathstroke also appears in the ''[[Teen Titans (animated series)|Teen Titans]]'' animated series, where he is referred to only as Slade (and voiced very menacingly by actor [[Ron Perlman]]). He is one of the Titans' primary foes. His main goal is to "destroy" the Titans and conquer the city and quite possibly the world, for unknown reasons - though it is possible he is simply a criminal with ambitions of power and has no ulterior motives.

When not active, an ACD can be kept occupied with mental puzzles such as a [http://www.kongcompany.com Kong] stuffed with treats or a [http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml Buster Cube].

In many episodes in Season One and Season Two, he tries to recruit others to his side. He initially hires [[Jinx (comics)|Jinx]], [[Gizmo (comics)|Gizmo]], and [[Mammoth (comics)|Mammoth]] from the H.I.V.E. Academy, but the Titans succeed in beating the three graduates. Slade then tries to trick [[Thunder and Lightning (comics)|Thunder and Lightning]], two teenage storm elementals, into destroying Jump City, but that too failed when [[Beast Boy]] helped the brothers to see the error of their ways. In the "Apprentice" story arc, Slade forced [[Robin (Batman)|Robin]] to join him, with the threat that if he did not, Slade would use [[nanomachine|nanobot]]s he planted in the Titans to destroy them from the inside out, therefore killing them. Robin eventually overcame Slade with his friends' help.

Among the most popular activities for Australian Cattle Dogs is [[dog agility]]. While the ACD is ideally suited for this work, since it is a [[herding dog|herding breed]] and thus very reactive to the handler's body language, some ACDs become easily frustrated at the repetition and routine necessary to hone agility skills. As for many breeds, frequent brief training sessions are more effective than infrequent long training sessions.

For this reason, many handlers find training an ACD to be challenging. It is important to always change the methods and exercises and not allow the dog or handler to get into a rut. ACDs thrive on change and new experiences.

[[Image:Acd_scent_articles.jpg|thumbnail|right|An ACD finding a scent article as part of obedience competition.]] Only a few ACDs, therefore, have excelled in [[obedience training|obedience competition]]

In Season Two, Slade recruited the superheroine [[Terra (comics)|Terra]], who in the animated series is portrayed as more of a lost soul than an irredeemable psychopath. In "Aftershock" Parts One and Two, Terra betrayed the Titans to Slade, who took over the city with her help. The Titans returned however, and with Beast Boy's help, Terra overcame the link her new suit had to Slade, and she sent him to his doom in a lava pit while she turned to stone.

For example, the [[American Kennel Club]] awards an "Obedience Trial Championship" (OTCh) to the dog-and-handler team that defeats a large number of other teams in open competition. A handful of ACDs have reached this level. While ACDs enjoy the challenge of obedience competition, such as retrieving a scented article, the majority of ACDs are easily bored with precision drilling.

===Australian Cattle Dogs in movies===

Being apparently dead (as he seemingly does not have his comic book counterpart's recovery abilities), Slade was absent for the most part in the third season. He did appear in the season 3 episode, "Haunted". But in this episode, he is a figment of Robin's imagination, due to a dust released from his mask onto Robin, which made him see, hear, and feel Slade. This almost killed Robin, but he saved his life by turning on the lights. He then unexplainably returned in full for Season Four, as the servant of [[Raven (comics)|Raven's]] demonic father [[Trigon (comics)|Trigon]]. Slade now had fire powers and a red mark on his forehead, called the Mark of Scath. He delivered Trigon's message to Raven, that she would cause the end of the world on her birthday. In the episode "The End Part 2", it is explained that Slade's defeat at Terra's hands had indeed killed him, and that Trigon had promised to give him back his flesh in exchange for his services. However, Trigon, evil sneak that he was, went back on the deal, and Slade decided to join forces with the Teen Titans. While [[Cyborg (comics)|Cyborg]], [[Starfire (comics)|Starfire]], and [[Beast Boy]] tried to distract Trigon, [[Robin (comics)|Robin]] and Slade went to find Raven (who had been transformed into a child version of herself) in the underworld. Upon returning to the surface with Raven, the Titans assaulted Trigon in a somewhat vain effort to defeat him. Nevertheless, they managed to hurt him, as did Slade, who recovered his flesh and stole the demonic weapon of one of Trigon's minions. Raven finally defeated her "father" and restored the world to normal, but Slade escaped the Titans shortly thereafter, with a solemn promise from Robin that "Next time I see you... Nothing will have changed."

* ''mad dog'' (blue) and a Dingo (red) in ''[[The Sundowners]]'' ([[1960 in film|1960]])

* ''Dog'' in ''[[Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior]]'' ([[1981 in film|1981]])

* ''Zip'' in ''[[Last of the Dogmen]]'' ([[1995 in film|1995]])

==External links==

We expect more appearances in the near future.

*[http://www.acdca.org Australian Cattle Dog Club of America website]

*[http://www.acdcc.ca Australian Cattle Dog Club of Canada website]

*[http://www.cattledog.com CattleDog.com Centralized repository for all things ''"Cattledog"'']

*[http://www.acdagility.com ACD Agility website]

*[http://www.australiancattledog.com Australian Cattle Dog website: Breed FAQ, Photos, Breeders]

*[http://www.cowdogz.com/ CowDogz.com]

==References==

*Buetow K. ''The Australian Cattle Dog : An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet'' ISBN 0876054467.

===Appearances in [[Teen_Titans_Go|Teen Titans Go]]===

*Issue 1:Demo

*Issue 11:Countdown

*Issue 18:When Chibis Attack(cameo appearance as a chibi)

*Issue 22:Listin

<gallery>

Image:ACDRedChampion.jpg|Champion Red face markings

Image:Acd_a_frame.jpg|A young ACD at the top of a dog agility A-frame

Image:Acd_jump_chute.jpg|An ACD in a jump chute, practicing [[dog agility]]

Image:Stripepuppy.jpg|Puppy with blue coat color

</gallery>

[[Category:TeenDog Titans animated series charactersbreeds]]

[[Category:Teen Titans villains]]

[[de:Australian Cattle Dog]]

[[Category:DC Comics titles]]

[[nl:Australische veedrijvershond]]

[[Category:Fictional mercenaries]]

[[pl:Australian Cattle Dog]]