If your situation is suitable, a Blue Heeler can make an excellent companion and family pet. It is important to be prepared to provide your dog with the necessary attention, including proper socialization, mental and physical fitness, and regular medical check-ups. Additionally, dedicating time to your dog’s training is crucial. Blue Heelers thrive when given a task, such as herding, playing fetch, accompanying you on runs, or participating in agility competitions. This breed requires constant activity to be content.
The Australian Cattle Dog breed goes by the name of Blue Heeler. These dogs have a blue patterned short coat, upright ears, and deep eyes. They are known for being intelligent, loyal, and active. The Blue Heeler was specifically bred in Australia for herding by nipping at the heels of cattle.
Although unsuitable for lap-sitting and life in small quarters, this breed can be a perfect match for those leading active, working lifestyles. Novice pet owners may find them challenging, but experienced trainers and handlers will love having them as loyal companions. While training these dogs is simple with the right incentives, they require an extensive amount of mental and physical stimulation.
What Was Their Original Purpose?
The Blue Heeler breed was developed in Australia by early settlers who crossed their canines with dingos, resulting in a durable and industrious cattle dog that was well-suited for the outback. In the present day, they have become a more commonly sought-after companion animal.
Despite its hunting dog appearance, the Blue Heeler was actually developed as a herding dog for the Australian environment after British settlers relocated to the area in the 19th century. The breed’s distinctive look can be attributed, in part, to their lineage which includes the wild dingo.
Cross breeding is common between Dingos and domestic dogs in areas where they coexist. Nonetheless, Blue Heelers’ resemblance to Dingos is not accidental as they were intentionally bred to have Dingo blood. This was done to develop a resilient dog that met the demands of Australian cattlemen.
Apart from Dingos, the genetic composition of a Blue Heeler contains elements of several other breeds such as the Blue Smooth Highland Collie, Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, and black and tan Kelpie. The American Kennel Club granted official recognition to this breed in 1980.
What does a Blue Heeler look like?
Adult Blue Heelers who are in good health can have a weight that ranges from 30 to 50 pounds, and they can reach a height of 20 inches or less. However, it is worth noting that males are generally larger than females.
Blue Heelers are typically not overweight since they are energetic dogs and do not indulge in excessive food intake. In case your Blue Heeler seems constantly hungry, consider splitting their meals into smaller portions throughout the day to maintain the same daily intake. Additionally, you can utilize their regular kibble to reward them during training.
The infant Blue Heeler has similarities in appearance to the Australian Dingo with its athletic physique, short fur, and attentive ears. Nonetheless, these dogs generally have more defined muscles. While their ears may droop when they are young, they usually perk up before they are two years old.
Colors and Coat Type
With various shades of color on a short, straight coat and an even shorter undercoat, the Australian Cattle Dog has fur that feels somewhat rough to the touch. This feature proves beneficial as it provides them protection from harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain or extreme heat. Additionally, it’s worth noting that your Blue Heeler will never require any grooming with respect to their hair.
There are two primary colors in this breed – blue and red. Although some individuals name all Australian Cattle Dogs as Blue Heelers, despite their coat color, others choose to refer to the dogs that appear redder as Red Heelers, or even Golden Heelers if they have a more ginger hue.
The colors, coat patterns, and markings of Blue Heelers are not consistent between dogs and can result in a blend of the two hues. It is also typical for Australian Cattle Dogs to have a charming dark fur mask above one or both eyes.
Blue Heeler Temperament
Having a lot of personality, Blue Heelers require sufficient time and space devoted to them, making them unsuitable as a pet for people who work and live in apartments.
The Australian Cattle Dog is known for its resilience, both in terms of its physical and mental toughness. In a 2007 study, Blue Heelers and other cattle dogs were monitored during mustering sessions that lasted for over four hours, taking place in temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. Despite these conditions, the dogs were able to cover distances of up to 20 miles on average.
Are They Ever Aggressive?
Similar to numerous herding breeds, the Blue Heeler exhibits an extremely devoted disposition. They can demonstrate protectiveness towards their kin and possessions, and display caution around unfamiliar individuals. While early socialization can diminish some of this wariness, it doesn’t eliminate it entirely. Therefore, it’s likely your Blue Heeler will always retain a degree of cautiousness with strangers, preferring familiarity. This makes socialization particularly crucial in the upbringing of a Blue Heeler pup.
Do Blue Heelers Make Good Family Pets?
Providing adequate exercise and mental stimulation is essential to keep Australian Cattle Dogs healthy and content as pets; however, households with very young children may not be ideal for them. Raising a Blue Heeler alongside kids can prove difficult as they require a lot of separation.
Blue Heelers are known for their loyalty to their owners and are brimming with personality and affection. Nevertheless, their natural tendencies to herd can be a concern, as they may attempt to herd children who are running and may nip at people’s legs in the process. Consequently, if you’re considering getting a Blue Heeler as a pet, make sure that you’re ready to commit the time and effort needed to ensure their well-being, and always supervise them around young children. Additionally, it’s imperative to socialize your Blue Heeler with kids of various ages before they reach fourteen weeks old, when their socialization window is closing.
Blue Heeler Lifespan
The Blue Heeler breed typically has a decent lifespan as a purebred, usually up to 12-16 years in age. This is likely based on a 2004 study that examined 22 Blue Heelers, where the average age of the eleven dogs that had passed away was twelve years old. One of the eleven dogs managed to live up to sixteen years old. Although the sample size is small, the Blue Heeler breed has strong physical attributes, suggesting that they can live for more than ten years.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Essentially, there exist two main levels of dog training. Should you desire skills training or basic etiquette, such as how to sit, lie down and stay, you should seek a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog experiences behavioral issues such as fearfulness, anxiety or aggressiveness, you should enlist the services of a dog behavioral consultant, like Pack Leader Help’s Brianna Dick.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
If you require training in both abilities and conduct, begin with the one that is more complex, which is conduct training. While a dog trainer may have some knowledge about how to make your dog sit, a dog behavior consultant will be more proficient in addressing separation anxiety problems.
Be realistic.
Fratt suggests that not all dogs will enjoy going to the dog park, just as not all humans will develop an affinity for going to raves.
The Dog Door Behavior Center is owned by Kim Brophey who is an applied ethologist and a mediator for family dogs. She authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs the L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) to elucidate canine behavior. Suppose your guests are being barked at by your pet dog.
According to Brophey, it is possible that the breed of dog was specifically chosen for many years to guard against intruders entering through the front door. If a German shepherd has an inherent desire to protect its territory, it may be necessary to manage your expectations rather than attempting to eliminate this trait through training.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training options available, which include group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training, and self-led training. Although group classes are more affordable, they are less individualized. According to Fratt, board and train facilities come at a higher cost and pose more risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be influenced by both your financial resources and the objectives you wish to achieve through training. For instance, if your canine is manifesting aggressive behavior towards another dog within your dwelling, it would be counterproductive to conduct training sessions outside your residence.
It’s important to note that you’ll need to participate in your dog’s training, but it doesn’t have to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt recommends dedicating around five minutes per day to training. Moreover, many of the assignments provided by trainers can be enjoyable and seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or inexpensive resources available online for dog training if you wish to avoid spending a large sum of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
Dick has gathered together some no-cost resources on her website, and Fratt offers a set of lessons called Free Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training is entirely unregulated, allowing anyone with an online presence or physical location to proclaim themselves as a dog trainer. Consequently, there is no universal guidebook dictating which techniques to utilize while training a dog, resulting in conflicting opinions among trainers. Nevertheless, most trainers can be categorized into two main groups.
One type of dog trainer, exemplified by Fratt, utilizes positive reinforcement. This method involves providing something desirable, such as a treat, when the dog behaves well in order to encourage them to repeat that behavior. It can also involve associating a positive experience with something the dog may perceive as scary.
Another type of trainer is Brianna Dick and others who use balanced methods. These trainers employ positive reinforcement techniques while also being open to using corrections such as e-collars in their training.
According to Dick, e-collar training utilizes a collar that your dog wears and can be controlled via remote to deliver a stimulus such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray to your dog’s neck whenever a correction is necessary. E-collars are a controversial topic in the dog training community, particularly those that produce a shock.
According to Dick, one should be cautious of trainers who utilize e-collars indiscriminately on every pet. She emphasizes that such a method is too generalized and unlikely to yield satisfactory outcomes. Instead, she advises that it is crucial to engage a trainer who takes the time to understand your specific circumstances including your association with your pet and lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
To find reliable positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality, you can refer to lists provided by professional associations. There are several associations that offer such lists.
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Next step is to conduct interviews. Reach out to past clients and assess which trainer you are most at ease with. Verify their ability to articulate their training techniques.
