Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog): Precise Breed Overview

Why waste money on recruiting guards for your farm? Invest in a loyal and hardworking four-pawed friend-cum-herder who would stick along all through no matter what.

Yes, we are talking about a superbly brilliant breed of dog- the Blue Heeler, who was bred to work on farms. Let’s have a sneak peek of this amazing breed!

History:

Australian settlers traveling inland from coastal lands needed a tough herding dog to guard their cattle. In 1840, Australian George Elliot bred Australian Cattle Dog by mixing Dingoes with Collie and other herding dogs to produce these remarkably intelligent and hard-working dogs. Later the Australian Kennel Club recognized these breeds as ‘Australian Cattle Dogs’ and their blue version as ‘Blue Heeler’. In 1983 these were transferred to ‘Herding Group’ from ‘Working Group’.

Breed Overview:

These Australian cattle dogs are also known as Australian Heeler, Queensland Heeler, or Halls Heeler and are monikered ‘heelers’ for their herding nature. They are not couch potatoes- rather, they prefer staying active. This particular breed is considered naughty and quite a self-entertainer.

They are often called ‘velcro’ or ‘shadow dog’ as they like staying attached to their owners. To be more precise, they dislike staying physically away from those they love.

Find quality vaxxed male and female Blue Heeler dogs and puppies for sale from all across Australia at Farmtender!

Personality:

These Australian cattle dogs are a super active and energetic breed, and are pretty protective of their self-proclaimed territory. These animals are devoted to their owner and family and are sometimes reserved with strangers.

They have a nice temperament- they are smart, curious, playful, and can be sometimes willfully stubborn. Consistent positive training and socialization help develop independent streaks. Take them out for strolling or let them interact with your guests to make a well-rounded dog with polished social skills.

Diet and Nutrition:

If you talk about good food for your doggo, then the list starts with protein-rich ingredients followed by whole grains and lots of veggies. To ensure clean and strong teeth and gums add dry kibble to their meal. Food with a rough texture is good enough for a dog's digestive system when they are young. Try switching to a canned food diet or soaked kibbles as they start aging. Most importantly, to promote healthy joints Glucosamine can be a beneficial food supplement for your blue heelers.

Health Problem:

If you are considering these powerful and athletic Australian Cattle dogs then be aware of some of their most common health issues. Make sure to get the health clearance if you are planning to bring home a blue heeler puppy.

Besides wear and tear of their joints and ligaments, some more additional health concerns need serious medical attention and those are:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is an eye condition where retinal deterioration results in impaired vision. This is one of the most common problems among blue heelers, which may be painless but eventually leads to blindness.
• Hip Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition among blue heelers, which may not be symptomatic and develops in later years. In this the thigh bone does not fit snugly into the hip joint, thereby resulting in pain, lameness, hobbling, avoidance of physical activity, and stiffness. Such dogs should not be bred, as they might develop arthritis with growing age.
• Deafness: Blue heelers are susceptible to deafness, and it's an inherited condition among these Australian cattle dogs. They become unresponsive to sound, lack jumpiness, and indicate unusual fits of barking. As per researchers, this is color-linked- white pups are more likely to be deaf, and it can be detected through Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing.

Health Care:

• Feeding: If you want your blue heeler to be in good condition, feed twice a day with 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals.
• Exercise: Blue heelers might get bored or destructive if they are kept in small places for long periods. Indulge them in exercises that are a critical part of their life. 30 minutes of regular physical exercise a day is a must for them. Besides a walk or multiple gaming sessions, keep a variety of puzzles, chews, and tug toys ready to help your dog with mental stimulation.
• Grooming: Though blue heeler maintenance is not high, you must ensure monthly trimming of their nails, timely bath, brushing their teeth, and cleaning ears for overall wellness.
  Note- Brush your blue heeler multiple times during the spring as they shed their winter coat at this time of the year.
• Training: They love humans and have a natural instinct of herding anything that moves like children or other pets. Hence, early socialization and training are essential to make them more socialized and friendly.

Wrapping Up!

To sum it up- Blue Heelers are ideal for not just your farm but also are a great companion for lone hours. Looking for a guardian angel for your cattle or craving for a furball cuddle? Bring home a blue heeler pup now!

Check out Farmtender for quality listings of dogs and puppies for sale at affordable prices.

Faqs

1. Is a Blue Heeler a good pet?
These dogs are great family pets due to their activeness, intelligence, and ready-to-please attitude.

2. Is a Blue Heeler the smartest dog?
They are extremely quick at learning commands and are the 10th smartest dogs in the world.

3. Are Blue Heelers high maintenance?
No

4. What is the difference between blue heeler and red heeler?
No differences other than color- black hair mixing with white are blue heelers and reddish-brown coloring for red heelers.

5. Are blue heelers aggressive?
They may show aggression towards suspicious strangers. But if they are socialized well they can be extremely friendly and affectionate.

6. Are blue heelers fit for apartments?
No. They need plenty of space inside and outside to run around.