The Australian Cattle Dog is just another name for the Blue Heeler. Both names are fully interchangeable, yet the dog breed types are quite similar.
You will sometimes hear the breed described as a Queensland Blue Heeler or a red Heeler. Don’t worry – they are one and the same. So let’s dive in and find out more about those.
The blue Heeler at a glance
Popularity: 54 of 193
Purpose: Originally a flock, now a careful, pleasant companion dog
Weight: 30 – 50 lbs
Temperament: strong, individual, energetic, loyal
Like other working dogs, Blue Heeler also loves a lot of practice and is very knowledgeable.
Their intelligence, loyalty, and attractive appearance have made this cattle dog an increasingly popular breed.
The History and Original Purpose of the Blue Heeler
Australian Cattle dogs were bred to make pet dogs. Especially after the British settlers emigrated there in the nineteenth century, this was especially for the Australian environment.
Their unique appearance is partly under the blood of wild dingoes with their veins
Archaeological evidence suggests that there is a certain amount of cross-breeding wherever dingoes and livestock dogs are located.
But it is not a coincidence that the Blue Heelers are dingo-national in some looks, the Australian Cattle Dog’s Dingo Blood is not an accident. In fact, the dingoes were deliberately bred with a Blue Heeler dog to create a definite result. That is, the kind of tough dogs Australian cattle needed.
In addition to the dingos, you will also find other varieties in the genetic makeup of Blue Heeler. These include Blue Smooth Highland Callie, Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, and Black and Tan Kelpie.
If you would like to find out more about the history of this fascinating breed, check out our detailed guide to the origins of the Blue Heeler.
This breed was officially recognized by the American Canal Club in 1980. Since then, a set value has been set for the features you can expect for a Blue Heeler dog. We’ll look at them soon, but first some interesting information.
Fun information about Blue Heeler
We love learning fun facts about our fur babies. We have compiled a lot of great information about Australian Cattle Dogs. You can now learn everything from the oldest Blue Heeler dog to the celebrity with the Australian Cattle dog. Let’s get started!
According to the Guinness World Record, the oldest dog of the day is an Australian Cattle dog. Blue Heeler’s dog, Blue lived 29 years 5 days.
Like their Dalmatian relatives, the Blue Heelers are often born completely white.
Owen Wilson and Matthew McConaughey are two celebrities who are famous for the Australian Cattle Dog.
If you look closely, you will find Blue Heeler in the movies, Mad Max and Brokeback Mountain
Let’s take a closer look at the Blue Heeler’s dog look.
The presence of the Blue Heeler
The Healthy Adult Blue Heeler can weigh anywhere from 30 to 50 pounds. Where height is concerned, they can be up to 20 inches tall. Generally, though, women are smaller than men
With steep ears, short fur, and a balanced, athletic body, Blue Heeler is analogous to the Australian Dingo. However, the main difference is that their bodies tend to be more muscular. It is noteworthy that their ears may initially flop as a puppy but often become lifeless before 24 months.
Blue heeler coat
Australian Cattle Dogs have short, straight coats with different shades. They also have smaller short undercoats.
Australian cattle dogs
Their fur touches are relatively rough. This is useful because it protects them from harsh weather such as rain or extreme heat.
Australian Cattle Dog Colors
This breed comes in two main colors – red or blue. The Redder Blue Heeler dog is sometimes known as the Red Heeler.
Depending on the individual dog, however, the marks and patterns covered by the fur cover. They can often leave the dog with a mixture of two colors.
It is very common (and very nice!) For Australian Cattle dogs to have a mask of brown fur on one or both eyes.
Blue Heeler’s disposition
Bridle’s mood goes here: Natural instincts related to groups and indigenous breeds, how cooperative species are, how independent, they tend to preserve or pursue. The tendency to aggression (link to sources) or bite, bite style, and jaw strength where appropriate.
An Australian Cattle Dog Breeds both Mentally and Physically, a 2007 study involved blue Heelers and other livestock dogs in sessions lasting four hours or more at 38 ° C.
During the session, these dogs cover an average distance of up to 20 miles.
Blue Heeler dogs also have a tendency to become stronger. Natural evidence of natural intelligence, however, may result in them trying to get around other animals or even babies!
That’s why it’s so important to get used to the different people and animals from your Blue Heeler puppy.
The personality of the Blue Heeler
Like many pet breeds, Blue Heeler is very loyal and can be quite protective of her family and toys but beware of strangers.
Early socialization helps reduce the amount of “alertness” but will not completely dispel it. So chances are that your Blue Heeler dog will always be a bit wary of strangers and prefer familiar faces.
Training and practicing your Blue Heeler
Like many tough breeds, blue Heelers are individual dogs that need to be well socialized at an early age. Australian Cattle dogs are just as intelligent so they need activities that encourage them physically and emotionally to spend extra time.
Positive reinforcement training is necessary for this clever and passionate breed.
Activities and games such as recovery and tracking will keep your dog focused and responsive. Without doing so your puppy might get upset and start behaving badly to occupy himself.
Australian Cattle Dogs are a very intelligent breed that is quick to train, as they have to do when learning livestock cattle.
Clicker and rewards-oriented training is a great way to train this national dog and, together with the proper socialization of your dog’s first few years of life, ensure a compulsory and friendly dog in later life.
As in addition, adult Australian Cattle dogs need lots of practice to keep them happy and healthy. Because of this, Blue Heeler is generally not suitable for living in a small apartment.
And if your dog needs to run your yard free, you need a secure dog-proof fence to prevent them from traveling. (You can find links to our favorite Blue Heeler products and accessories here)
These dogs are smart and not easily tired – all the qualities that make them such great breeders.
Although exercising enough is part of keeping them fit, it is also important to avoid over-feeding. It will help prevent obesity and promote optimal health. In the next section, we will look at some of the health issues that may arise in these varieties.
Blue Heeler Health and Care
It is important to be aware of health issues that can affect your favorite breeds because in some cases proper health checks can be avoided. And in others, early diagnosis gives a better view of the dog.
But what about the Blue Heeler dog? What are their health problems? Well, first of all, like many purebred dogs, the Blue Heelers are inheriting eye problems.
Australian cattle dogs
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) These dogs cause pain, loss of sight until they are completely blind in both eyes. This can take as little as several years or a few months.
Fortunately, we now have tests that can detect dogs carrying the PRA gene, and today there is no reason why a puppy will develop the most common forms of the disease.
All reputable breeders use these tests to screen their breeding stock. So, your main defense against PRA is looking for a responsible breeder.
Another luxury that these dogs suffer from is the luxury of lenses. In this case, your dog’s eye lenses are partially or completely separated.
There are different treatments for this disease at different stages. However, after treatment, your dog will need regular check-ups.
Australian Cattle Dog Joint Problems
Australian Cattle dogs are also at risk of common diseases that affect the joints of many dog breeds.
Canine hip dysplasia
For example, they may experience canine hip dysplasia. At this point, the hip joints do not develop properly and are merged together instead of running smoothly. Depending on the severity of their condition, an infected dog may require surgery or physiotherapy.
Screening helps reduce the incidence and severity of the disease, but examining breeding stock is an essential part of this process.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is another common disease that frequently affects Australian cat dogs, which may also require an operation.
Osteochondritis dissociation
One of the major major diseases of Australian Cattle dogs is Osteochondritis Diseases (OCD). This causes excess cartilage and bone deficiency in your dog since cartilage is not replaced by bone during embryonic development.
OCD usually requires corrective surgery or prescribed medication.
These diseases can be really difficult for an Australian Cattle dog because they hinder the exercise needed to keep this space happy and fit.
Avoid Joint Disease of Blue Heeler
The risk of joint problems cannot be completely eliminated by health tests, as there is not a simple, clear-cut mechanism of inheritance for these diseases. They are also somewhat affected by environmental factors such as diet and exercise.
Thus, instead of gene testing, parent dogs are tested for early signs of the disease. They are then given a score that good breeders use to select their breeding stock.
To give your puppy the best chance of growing up with healthy joints, so:
- Choose a thoughtful breeder
- Keep your puppy slim
- He avoided hard practice at a very young age.
If you’ve got an Australian Cattle dog, take your dog for a regular check-up with your vet to make sure it doesn’t develop for them or any other health problem. Let’s look at several more common health issues in Blue. Heelers compared to other varieties
Blue Heeler Deafness
Australian cattle dogs suffer from congenital hereditary deafness (CHSD).
In a study of just under 1 Australian cattle dog released in 2012, Blue Heeler had more than 10% deafness. 3% of all dogs were deaf in both ears.
A link between coat color and deafness has been noted in many varieties but the type and method of inheritance are not always the same.
In the Blue Heelers, masks and wives were at greater risk for dogs than dogs without face masks or male dogs.
Some associations between the stained marks between coats and deafness have been found in Australian stumpy tailored cattle dogs belonging to the Blue Heelers. However, a link between coat marking/color and hearing has not yet been proven in Blue Heelers.
Many owners of Deaf Blue Heelers have learned to use the signs of communication. But if you prefer to avoid buying a deaf blue heeler puppy, check out a wise breeder.
Bilateral deafness can be identified by an experienced breeder at about six weeks of age. Blue Heeler puppies are harder to detect with deafness in just one ear, but less of a challenge in training and caring.
Blue heeler’s portosystemic shunt
We should also mention another health issue that is a condition that causes abnormalities of blood flow to the liver.
The liver is an important filter and removes toxins from the bloodstream. It keeps your dog’s blood as clean and healthy as it is in humans.
A portosystemic shunt means that the bloodstream literally returns to the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. So the liver never gets the chance to remove toxins and the organ itself fails to grow properly.
Does the dog in your life have a cat in them? Don’t miss the perfect companion of life with an honest friend.
Fortunately, surgery can provide a successful outcome in these types of inherited types
Dogs with liver shunts may fail to achieve success and suffer various symptoms. Therefore, if your puppy is not growing as you should feel ill or feeling unhealthy, it is very important to consult your physician.
How long the Blue Heelers live?
Blue Heeler has a reasonable lifetime for purebred dogs
Different sources tend to give different estimates about longevity, but some of them are based on solid evidence
However, the Kennel Club in the UK is collecting some information by sending question papers to dog breeders and owners.
A study published in 2004 included 22 blue Heelers. The average dog who died (eleven of them) was twelve years old.
The age of these eleven dogs was sixteen years old.
We can’t draw any conclusions with a small sample of this, but it’s a breed with a word conversion. So, hopefully, your Blue Heeler will be with you for a decade or more.
Also, keep in mind that not all health issues affect the potential lifespan of a dog. It always helps to feed your Australian Cattle dog a nutritious meal.
Blue Heeler Shading
Australian Cattle Dogs have a lot of furs left but the coat is relatively easy to maintain and take care of.
You should regularly do your Blue Heeler to remove old hair and encourage new growth.
This will help to reduce the amount of hair on your carpets, but it will not prevent showers at all.
For baths and other care, Blue Heeler dogs are pretty low maintenance. You can bathe them as needed.
Finding a Healthy Blue Heeler Poppy
There are over 80 different diseases in dogs for which our DNA tests are available. Nevertheless, that number steadily climbed.
There are also many diseases for which there is no test. We can’t list them all here, and probably a few will affect your chosen race.
Your best protection, therefore, is to look for a responsible breeder who has chosen their breeding stock carefully to know what the tests are and apply them. Use our Puppy Search series to guide you
And before you start looking for your puppy, be sure to check it with the latest health tests available for your breed.
Do Blue Heelers Make Good Family Pets?
Australian Cattle dogs make great pets if they can give them the exercise and emotional excitement they need to stay healthy and happy.
They are loyal to their owners and full of personality and love. Usually, they are good with kids too. However, you must beware of their inherent desires for animals. They often try to get a moving child’s pal and can be at risk when the foot is amputated.
So if they give them the time and energy to devote a healthy life they can make great pets, then you will need to look after these dogs around your little dog.
Rescue a Blue Heeler
Adopting a puppy is often a great experience for all parties involved. We have some information on dog rescue and you can find some rescue associations here.
Finding a Blue Heeler Poppy
Finding a Better Breeder for Australian Cattle Dogs An important step you can take in searching for a puppy.
This is because it has already been stated that many health problems with these dogs are genetic.
It is important to make sure that the Blue Heeler puppy you choose has healthy parentage. You are determined to visit a puppy (and before you fall in love) with certificates to check on your parents’ health status. This will reduce the risk of diseases discussed earlier in this article.
Also, research potential breeders, as many people will review breeders they have used before.
Always visit your breeder and their puppy before deciding. Moreso, always go to Breeder ready to ask questions. You want to make sure that you are satisfied that they have given you enough information before proceeding.
And remember never to buy a puppy with your mom. In addition to health concerns, you want to avoid puppy mills. Read our article on puppy mills to find out what you should look for.
Good breeders will usually ask you questions, to make sure their puppies are going to a good home. They want to know if it’s with someone who knows how to take care of it.
They have also conducted all the health checks related to the clan and will be happy to show you the supporting papers.
Raising a Blue Heeler Puppy
Caring for a weak Blue Heeler puppy is a big responsibility. There are some great guides to help you with all aspects of puppy care and training. You will see them listed on our Blue Heeler Puppy Care page.
The popular Blue Heeler Brid Mix
As Australian Cattle Dogs become more popular, people are starting to mix with their other breeds.
People love mixing dog breeds. This can be a great way to get Australian-colored dogs of different colors or sizes. Such as white Australian Cattle dogs, or mini Australian Cattle dogs.
If you are thinking of getting one of these blends, then you should consider that blend as well.
Although cross-breed dogs have long-lasting improvement, a mixed breed puppy can acquire health problems from both breeds. So you still need to make sure the parents’ dog’s health is checked.
If you are still not sure if you want a pure breed of blue Heeler, you can try some of the mixes. That way, you’re maintaining the Blue Heeler features you like. Here are some of the popular Blue Heeler mixes:
- Blue Heeler-Pitbull mix
- Labrador-Blue Heeler mix
- Blue Heeler-Border Collie mix
Similar varieties
Feeling like a Blue Heeler might not be the one for you? Here are some breeds of other similar dogs you may want to consider:
The perfect companion for life with a new puppy
Australian Shepherd: Compared to the Blue Heeler, this breed is great for kids – it’s less powerful and stubborn.
Border Collie: This breed is a little less shady than Blue Heeler but just as powerful. With a longer coat, it needs more brush though.
Antelbucher Mountain Dog: It communicates better with other dogs. It slows down the way, but just as powerful.
German Shepherd Dogs: This breed popular demands great and low energy with kids. It’s a shade like crazy though.
Belgium Tervuren: It is easily trained but it can be a long coat more high maintenance.
In favor of getting a Blue Heeler and cons
Cons
- Prone to nipping
- Lots of practice is required
- Becoming annoyed can become destructive
- Can’t get up easily with other dogs
- The stranger is suspicious
The professionals
- Intelligent
- Firmly loyal and defensive
- Training is easy
- Low decoration maintenance
As we have seen before, many of these can be mitigated through proper training and socialization. You can get training videos like this one.
Blue Heeler products and accessories
Shading is often seen as a disadvantage, but like many other breeds of dogs, this is something that you need to be prepared to deal with if you are thinking of bringing an Australian Cattle Dog to your home.
Investing in a good pet hair vacuum cleaner and establishing a regular cleaning routine will help keep it under control.
You can also check out some of our favorite toys for your Blue Heeler dog here.
Frequently Asked Questions by Blue Heeler
Our readers are the most popular and frequently asked questions about the Blue Heeler.
Blue Heeler Price
Australian Cattle Dogs are generally not very cheap breeds, though in some cases the prices can range from $ 250 to $ 2000.
Although prices vary widely, a higher price does not necessarily equate to puppy best choice.
It is also important to remember that if your Australian Cattle Dog develops a disease, as previously mentioned, you will need to spend treatment.
Pet insurance will help protect you from the worst of these costs.
How to Stop Blue Heeler Abuse?
Some readers have reported problems such as “intense food aggression” and frequent “nipping / bite”. You can find our articles on training puppies. We have one about stopping puppies from stopping to jump.
Blue Heelers and other animals
One reader asked: “We are considering adopting an 8-year-old female blue heel. Does this breed kill cats and / or chickens?”
It is wise to take care of the Australian Cattle dog’s pet instincts while introducing new animals. Dog training experts recommend introducing cats or other animals into puppies. New animals need to be carefully introduced. Probably using a protective fence first.
Is Blue Heeler Right For Me?
Finding a new dog is a big decision, the breed you decide on. A Blue Heeler can be a great companion and family dog if your situation is right
You need to make sure your dog is ready for the attention he or she needs.
You have to make your puppy social well, and your pet needs to be healthy and fit both mentally and physically. It is also important to keep recommended medical checks to ensure your puppy is growing properly
Make sure you have time to devote to training your dog.
The best thing to do when blue Heelers work is to take care of livestock, collect frisbees, have your morning run mate, or compete in a fast race.
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