Blue heelers need a large yard and plenty of exercise.
According to the Dog Breed Info Center, the Australian Cattle Dog is also known as a Blue Heeler. These highly intelligent dogs were bred to herd livestock. They are an energetic, assertive breed. Blue Heelers can become loyal, loving pets and excellent guard dogs if they are given firm obedience training.
History
According to the Cattle Dog website, Heelers were bred by farmers who needed a breed of dog that could thrive in the harsh conditions of the Australian Outback. In 1840 a resident of New South Wales named Thomas Hall cross-bred a pair of Blue Smooth Highland Collies with an Australian dingo. Their offspring were called Hall's Heelers. In the 1870s two brothers by the names of Jack and Harry Bagust crossbred Hall's Heelers with Dalmatians and Australian Kelpies. This breed became known as the Australian Cattle Dog.
Description
Blue Heelers have blue mottled, speckled or solid coats. They may also have black or tan markings on their heads. They have a smooth outer coat with a short thick undercoat, powerful necks and shoulders, and a stocky, compact body, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website. The Dog Breed Info Center indicates that these dogs stand 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 30 and 35 pounds as adults. They can live for 12 to 15 years.
Care
Australian Cattle Dogs are an extremely energetic breed. These dogs were bred to work and do best if they have a job. They work well in the show ring, especially in herding competitions, and the Dog Breed Info center says that they can be obedience trained to high levels. Cattle Dogs do not do well if they are cooped up or left alone for long periods of time. They can quickly become bored and destructive without adequate exercise or mental stimulation. According to the Dog Breed Info site, Heelers can develop dominance issues if they do not clearly understand that their human is the alpha leader and the one in charge.
Grooming
The Dog Breed Info Center indicates that these dogs have minimal grooming requirements. They do not need frequent bathing and should only be washed when necessary. Their coats can be groomed with a bristle brush as needed.
Health Problems
Australian Cattle Dogs are generally healthy animals. They may develop vision problems such as glaucoma or lens luxation (dislocation of the lens within the eye), according to Just Dog Breeds. The Dog Breed Info website also notes that they can develop hip dysplasia, which is a condition where the hip joint and femur do not fit together correctly. Pet Education says that this condition can make it difficult for dogs to run or walk with ease.
Related posts
Blue heelers are named for their color and their natural tendency to nip at cattle's heels while herding.Known officially as the Australian cattle dog, blue heelers were bred in Australia through...
The Chihuahua-heeler mix could inherit any of the traits from each breed.Determining the traits, size and appearance of hybrid, or mixed breed dogs such as the Chihuahua-heeler mix is difficult be...
Blue heelers are high-energy, intelligent working dogs.Blue heelers are the "blue" version of the Australian cattle dog, or ACD. The red variety is often called a red heeler. It's the sa...
Blue heelers are working dogs who need exercise with a purpose.The blue heeler is an Australian cattle herding dog. Bred for herding animals, these dogs are known for their intelligence and willfu...
Tenacious, determined and smart, the Australian cattle dog needs to live an active life.Australian cattle dogs, known unofficially as blue heelers or Queensland blue heelers, are members of the he...
