Is a Blue Heeler a Good Family Dog

The Blue Heeler is a proper noun for the Australian Cattle Domestic dog breed. These short coated, blue patterned dogs accept upright ears and deep optics. They are intelligent, agile and loyal. This traditional Australian herding breed was used for driving cattle along by nipping at their heels. Also known every bit the Queensland Heeler, the Blue Heeler domestic dog is also a good pet for large, active homes, simply they thrive in high energy, working environments. Today we are going to get to know the Bluish Heeler's breed traits. Nosotros'll assist you to make up one's mind whether this clever domestic dog is right for your family, kids and lifestyle. And give you the data you lot demand to enhance an affectionate Blue Heeler puppy to be a healthy, happy adult dog with a long lifespan.

Blue Heeler pros and cons
What do Blue Heelers await like?
Practice Blue Heelers shed?
Are Blue Heelers adept pets?
Blue Heeler grooming and exercise
Adopting, buying and rescuing Blue Heeler puppies
Caring for an Australian Cattle dog puppy

The Blueish Heeler is never going to be a lap dog or platonic apartment pet, but they can fit very well with active working lifestyles. Non suited to beginning time owners, they are wonderful companions for experienced canis familiaris trainers and handlers. They are easy to train if you know how to motivate them, but need a huge corporeality of practice for their bodies and brains!

Lookout noisy baby Blue Heeler puppies playing together!

Pros And Cons of Getting A Bluish Heeler

PROS	CONS
Clever	Tin exist destructive when bored
Easy to train	Need lots of exercise
Loyal	Wary of strangers – demand lots of socialization
Require minimal grooming	Decumbent to inherited eye and joint problems

Fun Facts About Blueish Heeler Dog Brood

The current oldest dog e'er according to Guinness World Records is an Australian Cattle Canis familiaris. The Blueish Heeler canis familiaris, Bluey lived for 29 years and v days.
Similar their Dalmatian relatives, Blueish Heelers are oft born completely white.
2 celebrities famous for their Australian Cattle Dogs are actors, Owen Wilson and Matthew McConaughey
If you look closely, you'll find Blue Heelers in the movies, Mad Max and Brokeback Mount

History and Original Purpose of the Blue Heeler

Blue Heelers were originally bred by settlers in Australia, who crossed their dogs with dingos and created a unique, tough, hard working cattle canis familiaris, suited to the outback. These days they are an increasingly popular pet, also!

Although the Blue Heeler might look similar a hunting dog, Australian Cattle Dogs were actually bred to create a herding canis familiaris. This was especially for the Australian environment after British settlers emigrated there in the 19th century. Their unique appearance is partly down to the wild dingo blood running through their veins.

Wherever Dingos and domestic dogs accept existed in close proximity, a certain amount of cross breeding has occurred. However, it'south no coincidence that Blue Heelers are somewhat dingo-like in appearance—the dingo blood in these cute cow dogs is no accident. Dingos were deliberately bred with the Blue Heeler dog to create a specific outcome. That is, the kind of tough dog that Australian cattlemen needed.

In improver to Dingos, you'll find traces of other breeds in a Blue Heeler's genetic makeup. These include the Blue Smooth Highland Collie, Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, and black and tan Kelpie. The breed received official recognition from the American Kennel Club in 1980.

What does a Blue Heeler look like?

Good for you developed Blue Heelers can weigh between thirty and fifty pounds. They tin can be upwardly to 20 inches tall, merely females are smaller than males.

It'southward unusual to see a fat Blue Heeler, because they are such active dogs and don't tend to be over eaters. If your Blue Heeler is always hungry then attempt spreading out their meals more than, into smaller portions with the same daily total. And don't forget to use lots of their kibble equally as grooming treats.

With upright ears, short fur, and a balanced, athletic body, the babe Blueish Heeler resembles the Australian Dingo. However, their bodies tend to be more muscular. Their ears may be initially floppy as puppies, but often become perky earlier 24 months.

Blue Heeler Coats

The Australian Cattle Domestic dog has a curt, straight glaze with many different shades. They as well have an even shorter undercoat. Their fur is relatively crude to the touch. This is useful as information technology protects them from harsh conditions conditions similar pelting or extreme heat. And in adept news, your Bluish Heeler is never going to need a haircut!

Australian Cattle Dog Colors

This breed comes in two primary colors—red or blue. Some people refer to all Australian Cattle Dogs as Blue Heelers, regardless of their coat color. But some prefer to call the redder looking dogs Red Heelers or even Aureate Heelers when information technology has a more ginger tone.

Bluish Heeler colors, coat markings and patterns vary depending between dogs. They tin often leave the canis familiaris looking like a mixture of the ii colors. It is likewise common (and very cute!) for Australian Cattle Dogs to have a mask of darker fur over one or both eyes.

Do Bluish Heelers Shed?

Australian Cattle Dogs shed a lot of fur, but their short glaze is relatively easy to maintain. You should groom your Bluish Heeler regularly to remove old hair and encourage new growth. This will help to reduce the amount of hair shed onto your carpets, but information technology won't forestall your Blue Heeler shedding altogether.

Are Blueish Heelers Hypoallergenic?

Hypoallergenic dogs are sadly a fleck of a myth. The matter that makes y'all sneeze is actually their dander, and comes from drool and pare flakes, non just the fur. However, some dogs are easier on allergy sufferers than others. Sadly, this moo-cow dog isn't ane of them.

Blue Heeler Temperament

Blue Heelers are packed with personality, but they need a lot of space and time focussed on them. This is non an apartment canis familiaris for a person that goes out to piece of work.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a tough brood both mentally and physically. A 2007 report tracked Blue Heelers and other cattle dogs engaged in mustering sessions lasting 4 hours or more than in temperatures of up to 38 degrees celsius. During the sessions, these dogs covered boilerplate distances of upwardly to 20 miles.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs Ambitious?

Similar many herding breeds, the Blue Heeler has a very loyal personality. They can be quite protective of their family unit and toys, and wary towards strangers. Enough of early socialization helps to reduce the "wariness" but won't dispel information technology altogether. So the chances are your Bluish Heeler dog will always be somewhat cautious around strangers and prefer familiar faces. This wary temperament makes socialization extra of import when raising a Blue Heeler puppy.

Do Blue Heelers Make Practiced Family Pets?

Australian Cattle Dogs make bang-up pets if yous tin can to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they require to stay healthy and happy. But they are all-time suited to homes without very pocket-size children. Raising a Blue Heeler with kids is tough as you need to split up them a lot.

They are loyal to their owners and are total of personality and love. However, you must be wary of their inherent desire to herd—they often try to herd running children and can be prone to nip at passing legs. Then whilst they tin can make slap-up pets if you accept the time and energy to dedicate to their healthy lives, you lot will need to always supervise these dogs effectually smaller children. It's vital to properly socialize your Blue Heeler to children of a broad multifariousness of ages, earlier their socialization window closes at fourteen weeks old.

Are Blue Heelers Good With Babies?

No dog should be trusted around babies. Although Instragram might be full of seemingly cute images of them curled up together, this actually isn't off-white on the canis familiaris. Babies make sudden gestures, catch and don't permit go, and emit weird high pitched noises. Don't put your dog in the position of having to understand what's going on and act appropriately. Just keep them apart or fully supervised until the baby is bigger.

Are Blueish Heelers Good with Cats?

Blue Heelers and cats are not natural friends, due to the high prey drive of the cattle dog. Although they can acquire to live together if they abound up together, don't rely on your Heeler accepting other cats as happily.

Blue Heelers and Other Animals

A reader asked: "We are considering adopting an viii-yr-onetime female blue heeler. Does this breed impale cats and/or chickens?" Blue Heelers can often exist taught to get forth with other animals in the home. Specially when introduced conscientious, and at the right age.

Begetting in heed the herding instincts of Australian Cattle Dogs, it is wise to exercise care when introducing new animals. Domestic dog training experts recommend introducing cats or other animals in puppyhood. And new animals may demand to exist introduced cautiously—perhaps using a protective fence at first.

Australian Cattle Dog Puppy Exercise

Although active dogs, it'southward important not to over exercise them at a immature age. This has the potential to damage their joints and isn't skilful for their growing bodies. No more than 5 minutes per day of formal practice per month erstwhile your puppy is, twice a solar day. That means a 6 calendar month old Blue Heeler should have at well-nigh 30 minutes of practise morning and evening.

Developed Blue Heeler Practise

Because Australian Cattle Dogs are so intelligent, they require activities that stimulate them physically and mentally to take upward their spare time. Activities and games such every bit retrieving and tracking will maintain the focus and quick responses of your dog. Without things to do, your pup may get bored and could get-go misbehaving to occupy itself.

Australian Cattle Dogs crave lots of exercise to go along them happy and good for you. For this reason, Blue Heelers are not usually suited to living in small apartments. And if your dog is to take free run of your yard you'll demand a secure canis familiaris proof fence to forbid them from wandering. These dogs are active and do non tire easily—all qualities that make them such great herders.

How fast tin can a Blue Heeler run?

It's generally thought that like almost herders, moo-cow dogs can run somewhere between 25mph to 30mph. But take this with a pinch of table salt, because I tin't observe whatever evidence of it actually being tested!

Do Australian Cattle Dogs like water?

All dogs can swim, and Blueish Heelers are no exception. Although they weren't raised or bred every bit water dogs, being from quite dry areas, they are withal able to swim. And if introduced at an early age can learn to beloved it, and fire off a lot of their free energy doing then.

How to Railroad train an Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs are an extremely intelligent breed, that take quickly to training. Positive reinforcement training is a must for this clever and enthusiastic brood. Clicker and reward-based training is a dandy way to railroad train dogs like these, and goes manus in manus with proper socialization in the starting time few years of your dog's life to ensure an obedient, friendly dog later on in life.

Do Blue Heelers run away?

Although loyal and not particularly flighty dogs, you withal need to teach them a proficient think. An intact male Blue Heeler is likely to stray if they olfactory property a female Blue Heeler in season. And any herding canis familiaris worth their common salt has a high prey drive and needs to be taught a very solid think.

Blue Heeler Health and Care

It'due south important to exist aware of health problems that may affect your favorite breeds. Because in some cases, these tin can exist entirely avoided by proper health testing. And in others, early diagnosis offers a amend outlook for the canis familiaris.

Blueish Heeler health risks to exist aware of:

Ears:	Inherited deafness
Liver:	Portosystemic shunt
Eyes:	PRA, lens luxation
Joints:	Hip and elbow dysplasia, Osteochondritis Dissecans

Progressive Retinal Cloudburst

Bluish Heelers are prone to inherited eye troubles. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) LINK causes boring, painless loss of sight until the dog is completely blind in both eyes. This can take every bit long as several years or as picayune as several months. Fortunately, we now accept tests which can place dogs carrying the PRA cistron, and in that location is no reason today why any puppy should develop the most common forms of this disease. All reputable breeders use these tests to screen their convenance stock. So, your main defence against PRA is finding a responsible breeder.

Lens Luxation

Australian Cattle Dogs are prone to an inherited status called Chief Lens Luxation. The ligaments holding the lens in place in the eye intermission, and the lens moves partially or completely out of position. The lens can then become stuck at the front of the eye where it causes acute pain. Without surgery, this will lead to irreversible loss of sight.

Joint Problems in Australian Cattle Dogs

Australian Cattle Dogs are likewise prone to mutual diseases that affect the joints of many dog breeds.

Canine Hip Dysplasia

For example, they can suffer from canine hip dysplasia. This is where the hip joints do not develop properly and grind together rather than moving smoothly. Depending on the severity of their condition, an affected domestic dog could crave surgery or physiotherapy. They may have reduced mobility, and pain on practice.

Screening is helping to reduce the incidence and severity of this disease. Information technology is essential to make sure both parents have expert 'hip scores' when buying a baby Blueish Heeler.

Elbow Dysplasia

Another articulation disease that ofttimes affects Australian Cattle Dogs is elbow dysplasia. The elbow develops in the wrong shape, causing pain and loss of function. It is caused by a combination of factors including inheritance – dogs whose parents accept adept elbows are less likely to develop elbow dysplasia themselves. Elbow dysplasia may require surgery.

Osteochondritis Dissecans

Blue Heelers are as well prone to Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD). The cartilage in the articulation, at the end of the bones, does not develop correctly. Over time the diseased cartilage splits away from the bone. The crusade is unknown. Whatsoever lameness in Blue Heelers should be investigated past your veterinary practitioner.

Avoiding Blue Heeler Joint Disease

The take chances of joint issues tin can't be eliminated entirely by health testing, considering these diseases don't have a unproblematic, clear cut mechanism of inheritance. They're also influenced somewhat past environmental factors such equally diet and practice. So, instead of a gene examination, parent dogs are tested for early signs of the disease. Then they're given a score that good breeders utilise to select their breeding stock.

To give your puppy the best hazard of growing up with good for you joints:

Choose a breeder who tin share the parents' hip and elbow scores with you
Keep your puppy slim
Avoiding hard do while he is still very young.

If you lot do go an Australian Cattle Dog, as well accept your dog for regular check-ups with your vet to brand certain they are not developing these or whatever other health problems. Let's take a look now at a couple of wellness problems more common in Blue Heelers than well-nigh other breeds.

Blue Heeler Deafness

Australian Cattle Dogs tin can suffer from congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness (CHSD). In a study of simply under 900 Australian Cattle Dogs, published in 2012, over x% of Bluish Heelers had some degree of deafness. 3% of all the dogs were deaf in both ears.

An clan betwixt glaze color and deafness has been noted in several breeds but the pattern and machinery of inheritance is not always the aforementioned. In Blue Heelers, dogs with masks and females were at higher risk than dogs without facial masks or male dogs. In Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dogs, which are related to Blue Heelers, some association has been found between speckled markings in the coat and deafness. Even so, a link between glaze markings/colour and hearing has not nonetheless been proven in Blue Heelers.

Deaf Dog Training

Many owners of deaf Blueish Heelers have learned to use signs to communicate. Only if you'd prefer to avoid purchasing deaf Bluish Heeler puppies, visit a knowledgeable breeder. Bilateral deafness can be identified past an experienced breeder by virtually half-dozen weeks of age. Bluish Heeler puppies with deafness in only i ear are harder to detect, but as well less of a challenge to train and care for.

Bluish Heeler Portosystemic Shunt

One farther wellness problem we should mention is a condition that causes abnormalities of the blood period in the liver. The liver is an of import filter and removes toxins from the bloodstream. This keeps your dog's claret make clean and healthy, just every bit it does in people. A portosystemic shunt means that the blood menses is literally "shunted" back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. And so the liver never gets a run a risk to remove those toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly.

Fortunately, in this inherited type of shunt, surgery can offer a successful event Dogs with a liver shunt may fail to thrive and suffer a range of symptoms. Therefore, it's very of import to consult with your vet if your puppy is not growing as he should or seems unwell. Early on treatment is important.

Blue Heeler Lifespan

The Bluish Heeler dog has a reasonable lifespan for a purebred pup. They are frequently quoted as living 12-16 years. This is likely to be based on a written report published in 2004, that included 22 bluish Heelers. The dogs that had died (eleven of them) reached a hateful historic period of twelve years. The oldest of those eleven dogs lived to be sixteen years of age. With such a pocket-size sample we tin't draw any firm conclusions, but this is a breed with a audio conformation. And then, hopefully, your Blue Heeler volition be with you for a decade or more.

Rescuing a Bluish Heeler

Adopting a puppy is often a wonderful experience for all parties involved. We have some information on canis familiaris rescue here. And you can find some rescue societies beneath:

Bluish Heeler Breed Rescues

If yous know of a Blue Heeler rescue eye that's not on our list, you tin permit united states know in the comments below!

Australian Cattle Dog Breeders

Finding a skilful breeder of Blueish Heeler puppies is one of the almost important steps you can take in your search for a puppy. This is because, as mentioned before, many health bug with these dogs are genetic.

There are over 80 different diseases in dogs for which we have DNA tests available. And that number continues to climb. Your all-time protection, therefore, is to know what tests apply and to observe a responsible breeder who has selected their convenance stock with care. Use our puppy search series to guide y'all.

E'er visit your breeder and their puppies before deciding. Moreso, always go to a breeder prepared to enquire questions. Make sure you're satisfied that they've given you plenty information earlier proceeding. A reputable breeder will be happy to share all of the parents' test results with you, as well equally letting you meet both parents, and see the puppies in their home.

Good breeders will also unremarkably question you, to brand sure their puppy is going to a good dwelling. They'll want to know that it'southward with someone who knows how to take intendance of it.

Where to Avoid

Practice take a look at our article on puppy farms, so y'all know all the signs to await out for. Exist very wary of whatsoever breeder with multiple litters bachelor at the aforementioned fourth dimension, or who keeps their puppies outdoors instead of in the family unit home.

Blueish Heeler Price

Australian Cattle Dogs are more often than not not a very inexpensive breed. Prices can range from as depression as $250, merely reach upwardly to $2000 in some cases. Even though prices vary hugely, a high price does not necessarily equal the all-time choice of puppy.

Information technology is also important to call up that if your Australian Cattle Dog does develop any diseases, like those mentioned earlier, you will have to cover the toll of handling. Pet insurance will help protect you against the worst of these costs.

Raising a Blue Heeler Puppy

Caring for a Bluish Heeler puppy is a big responsibleness. There are some smashing guides to assist you with all aspects of puppy intendance and preparation.You lot'll detect them listed on our puppy care page. You might also find these specific articles helpful when raising your Aussie Cattle Dog pup:

Blueish Heeler Names
Puppy Training
Choosing a Puppy Food
Puppy Crying at Night
How Much to Feed a Puppy
Puppy Bath Time
All-time Food for Australian Cattle Dogs.
Puppy Development Stages
Socializing your puppy

You lot might besides enjoy our online Puppy Parenting course.

Blueish Heeler Products and Accessories

You can as well cheque out some of our favorite Blueish Heeler puppy purchases here:

What Practice I Demand For A Puppy
Toys For Bluish Heelers
Ten Puppy Essentials
New Puppy Checklist
Best Puppy Shampoo
Indoor Puppy Pens
Best Indestructible Dog Toys
The All-time Indestructible Dog Bed

Similar Breeds

Non the Bluish Heeler is the correct canis familiaris for you? Hither are some other similar dog breeds you might like to consider:

Australian Shepherd: Compared with the Blueish Heeler, this breed is very good with kids—no heel nipping. It's also less energetic and stubborn.
Collie: This breed sheds a chip less than the Blue Heeler, but is but as energetic. With a longer coat, it requires more brushing though.
German Shepherd Dog: This popular brood is great with kids and demands less free energy. It sheds like crazy though.
Belgian Tervuren: This one is hands trained, but its long coat might be more high maintenance.
More blue breeds
More herding breeds

Popular Blue Heeler Breed Mixes

If yous're still not sure you desire a purebred domestic dog, you may want to await into some Blue Heeler mixes. Here are a few of the more than pop combinations:

Blue Heeler-Pitbull mix
Labrador-Blue Heeler mix
Blue Heeler-Border Collie mix
Texas Heeler (the Australian Shepherd Australian Cattle Canis familiaris mix)
Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix

The Blue Heeler

Information technology is a large decision getting a new dog, whatever breed you determine to cull. A Blue Heeler can be a wonderful companion and family dog if your circumstances are right. You need to make certain you're prepared to give your dog the attending it volition need.

You volition need to socialize your puppy well, and keep your pet good for you and fit both mentally and physically. It's besides vital to keep up with recommended medical checks. Make sure y'all have the fourth dimension to dedicate to your dog'due south training.

Bluish Heelers do all-time when they have a job to do, whether that job is herding cattle, fetching frisbees, keeping you lot company on your morning run, or competing in agility contests. This is a dog that needs to be decorated!

Observe Out More than Virtually Blueish Heelers

Blue Heeler history
Herding dogs
Blueish Heeler pictures
Cattle dog breeds
Blue Heeler names
Short haired dogs

If you take a Bluish Heeler, why not tell the states about them in the comments below.

Farther Reading

Positive Reinforcement
Clicker Training

Resources

Gough et al. 2018 Breed Predispositions to Disease In Dogs and Cats. Wiley Blackwell
O'Neill et al. 2013. Longevity and Mortality of Owned Dogs In England. The Veterinary Periodical
Adams et al. 2010. Results of a Survey of UK Purebred Dogs. Journal of Modest Animal Practice.
Duffy et al. 2008. Breed differences in canine aggression. Practical Beast Behavior Science.
Farrell et al. 2015. The Challenges of Pedigree Domestic dog Wellness: Approaches to Combating Inherited Illness." Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.
Oberbauer et al. 2015. Ten Inherited Disorders in Purebred Dogs by Functional Brood Groupings." Canine Genetics and Epidemiology.
Newsome and Corbett. 1985. The Identity of the Dingo III.* The Incidence of Dingoes, Dogs and Hybrids and their Glaze Colors in Remote and Settled Regions of Commonwealth of australia. Australian Journal of Zoology.
Adams et al. 2010. Methods and mortality results of a health survey of purebred dogs in the United kingdom. Journal of Minor Animal Practice.
Hampson & McGowan. 2007. Physiological responses of the Australian Cattle Dog to mustering practice. Equine and comparative practise physiology.

References

Mellersh. 2012. DNA testing and domestic dogs. Mammalian Genome.
Hunt. 2004. Effect of breed on anatomy of portosystemic shunts resulting from congenital diseases in dogs and cats: a review of 242 cases. Australian Veterinarian Journal.
Somerlad et al. 2012. Prevalence of built hereditary sensorineural deafness in Australian Cattle Dogs and associations with coat characteristics and sexual practice. BMC Veterinarian Research.
Shariflou et al. A genealogical survey of Australian registered dog breeds
Black. 1972. Progressive Retinal Cloudburst. Journal of Small Beast Practice.
Clements et al. 1996. Recent advances in understanding the spectrum of canine generalised progressive retinal atrophy. Periodical of Small Animate being Practise.
Leighton. 1997. Genetics of Canine Hip Dysplasia', Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Clan.
Guinness World Records
Chief Lens Luxation. Paw Print Genetics.
Lens Luxation in dogs. Eye Veterinarian Clinic.
Elbow Dysplasia Fitz Patrick Referrals
Chase, GB. Issue of brood on anatomy of portosystemic shunts resulting from congenital diseases in dogs and cats: a review of 242 cases. Australian Veterinarian Journal

robinsonwassecove.blogspot.com

Source: https://thehappypuppysite.com/blue-heeler/