The Blue Heeler Mix Dog breed is known by several names, including Australian Cattle Dogs, Red Heelers, Australian Heelers, and Queensland Heelers. Their distinctive herding technique, which involves nipping at the heels of cattle to encourage movement, has earned them the nickname “heelers.”
These mixed dogs are celebrated for their beautiful coats, high intelligence, and gentle temperament. British settlers in Australia developed them in the late 1800s by cross-breeding two breeds: the Australian Dingo and the Blue Marle.
Heeler Mix Dogs thrive on companionship and are loyal, energetic pets that love to play and run. If left alone for extended periods, they may experience separation anxiety. Before considering adoption, it’s essential to keep the following points in mind:
Appearance and Attributes
Looks
Blue Heeler Mix Dog is a very muscular, well-built, and dense breed with a broad skull, fibrous cheeks, and a medium-sized nose. Its eyes are oval and dark in color, and the ears are pricked. The dog’s forelegs are parallel, and its feet are arched. It has strong necks and shoulders.
Size
The size difference between the Blue Heeler Mix Dogs is that the male dog is 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 40 to 50 pounds, while the female dog is 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 35 to 45 pounds.
Coat
They are from the herding dog breed group. Their coat is short and double-coated and comes in either red or blue color, which is why they are also commonly known as Red or Blue Heelers. Their coat is what helps protect them against different seasons.
The good thing about their coats is that they don’t need much care and only require minimal grooming.
Personality and Temperament
Active Dog
Blue Heeler Mix Dog is a highly active dog who loves to run around and play with his owner. That is why he needs physical and mental stimulation to keep him busy. If you don’t provide him with something to keep him engaged, he’ll start destructive behavior that you won’t like.
Protective
Blue Heeler Mix Dogis is very protective of his territory and will defend it with all his might. He may act unfriendly towards strangers, but by this, he doesn’t get the wrong idea; he is very loving and loyal towards his people.
Once you create a special bond with your Australian Cattle dog, nothing can break it; he will follow you to the end of the world.
Smart but Stubborn
Blue Heeler Mix Dog is a very intelligent breed. He picks up things quickly, which makes it easier for you to train him. Sometimes, he shows his stubborn side and may refuse to act out your commands, but you can overcome this by using positive reinforcements during his training, such as treats.
He is a very willful dog who is eager to learn. Remember not to punish him; this will only encourage him to show his stubbornness.
Early Socialization
One thing you need to keep in mind after adopting a dog is to train him at an early age. If you wait for the right time, you will not be able to train him at all, and he will start behaving badly.
One of the first things that you need to teach him is early socialization. You can begin the training by slowly making him experience different people and environments. This helps in making your dog an all-rounder. By this, he will not be shy around other people and will be comfortable with them.
Also, take him on a walk with a leash to make him meet the neighbors and get to know them.
Health Conditions and Diet
Before adopting a dog, you should be aware of the health problems that they may suffer from. Blue Heeler Mix Dog is a healthy dog but still like many other dog breeds, he is also prone to some genetic and other health conditions.
1. Hip Dysplasia
Dogs with hip dysplasia have hip joints that do not fit together properly. This growth-related developmental condition primarily affects larger, stockier breeds of dogs.
Hip dysplasia is a complicated hereditary condition that is impacted by hormones, growth rate, food, activity, and muscle mass.
2. Deafness
This genetic disease affects the Australian Cattle Dog, but it can be found in very early puppies. It is recommended not to breed deaf dogs.
Research also shows that color-linked deafness is caused by white-coat genes. These genes cause puppies to be born with white-coat hairs, which generate a roaming pattern that results in deafness.
3. Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA is a genetic eye health disorder in which the retina of an eye gradually becomes disoriented. In the beginning, it affects a dog’s night vision and makes it difficult for him to see at night, and then slowly, the dog also can not see during the day and loses his vision permanently.
Dietary Requirements
The recommended dog food amount depends upon various factors, such as size, age, health conditions, and metabolism, because all types of dogs need different kinds and amounts of food.
For a Heeler Mix Dog, it is recommended that he consume 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dog food twice a day. Make sure you measure the food before giving it to him, and don’t leave it in the bowl all day.
You can check if he is overweight or not by touching his belly. If you can feel the ribs without pressing too hard but can not see them, then he is not overweight and is the usual amount of healthy. If you cannot feel his ribs, he needs less food and more exercise.
Exercise and Training
Living Condition
If you want to adopt a Blue Heeler Mix, you should know that they need an environment where they can be themselves. You can’t force them to sit when it is in their nature to play and goof around. He needs an environment where he is provided with regular physical exercises and mental stimulation.
He is the type of dog that is just in love with their owner once a special bond is created, they can’t survive in an environment where enough attention is not given to them.
They are not for people who have full-time jobs and are not home for long periods because they get separation anxiety, which triggers destructive behavior because when they are bored, they start destroying things.
Proper Outlet
If you can fulfill the requirements of a Blue Heeler Mix Dog, give him an environment where he can spare his naturally high energy and goofiness. It is in his nature to herd and chase; you can’t change him or stop him from doing so.
You need to provide him with natural activities, keeping him busy, preserving his high energy, and preventing boredom.
Easy to Train
As the Blue Heeler Mix Dog is a willful dog who loves his owner, it is easy to train him. You can use this opportunity to train him by giving him different commands, starting slowly with short commands such as sit, roll, or high five.
You can also boost his intelligence level by hiding dog food in different parts of the house and making him find them.
Canine Sports
We know that the Blue Heeler Mix wants to spend most of his time with his owner. You can play different sports with your dog, and in this way, your dog can fulfill his daily exercise quota and also get to spend time with you, killing two birds with one stone.
Canine sports like walking, jogging, hiking, and fetch help keep your dog busy and fulfill exercise requirements.
Grooming and Care
The coat of the Blue Heeler Mix Dog is double-coated, with the outer coat being short and straight and the undercoat dense. This dog doesn’t shed much, only twice a year, during fall and spring, because of weather changes.
The coloring of the Australian Cattle Dog is dotted with red or blue. Partially tan on the throat, chest, and forelegs; tan on the jaw and rear legs; and black, blue, or tan markings on the head are all examples of blue or blue-mottled. Red speckle refers to a uniform red color, which may include dark red marks on the head and the undercoat.
The grooming requirements for a Blue Heeler Mix Dog are not much, except for occasional grooming that helps keep him clean and healthy and prevents the coat from matting or tangling.
You can comb his coat four times a week, once each week, and also bathe him only necessary when he is dirty or needs cleaning. Excessive bathing can rip off the natural oils in their skin.
Remember to brush his teeth twice or thrice a week to maintain dental hygiene, clean his ears and boogers in his eyes, and trim his nails regularly.
During grooming, check for infections, allergies, mites, or inflammation. Make sure to regularly visit the vet for health checkups as it helps discover any potential health problem early.
Final Words
These dogs are fantastic family companions! They’re smart, loyal, and great with kids. Despite their strength, they’re gentle and loving.
Their herding instincts may lead them to try to herd children, similar to Border Collies. Early training can help manage any nipping, and positive reinforcement is a great way to encourage good behavior while building a strong bond!
Frequently Asked Questions about Heeler Mix Dog:
1. Are Australian Cattle Dogs descended from dingoes?
Yes, many English breeds were interbred with dingoes due to their herding instincts. In the 1840s, a cattle farmer cross-bred several collie strains with a dingo, which led to the development of the Heeler breeds.
2. Is the Blue Heeler Mix very attached to his owner?
Absolutely, a Blue Heeler Mix is deeply devoted to his owner. For him, the most significant punishment is being separated from them, as he prefers to accompany his owners wherever they go.
3. What are the environmental needs of a Heeler Mix Dog?
If you can meet his needs, provide proper care, and ensure he receives adequate exercise and mental stimulation, then adopting a Heeler Mix is a suitable choice.
