Go ahead an make fun of me - but dog people gets nuts about this. His dog in the opening scenes is clearly a Catahoula cur - a breed that originated in the US. REALISM would have his dog be a Queensland heeler (what we call an Australian cattle dog). Given Russell IS from OZ, you'd think he's use the authentic breed you'd see on a ranch there.At least they got it right in The Road Warrior.
shareI believe to have read somewhere that it was Russell Crowe's own dog we see in the movie. Since it is costly and complex to film with animals I guess it was easier for the director to use this particular animal.
shareIt would make sense by the dog's behavior at the graveside of Conner's wife that the dog belongs to Crowe.
shareHaving a Heeler as his dog would have been too obvious and stereotypical.
And a Heeler can be Blue as well.
Having what looked like a mongrel worked for me.