What Is a Blue Heeler? As you might have guessed, Australian Cattle dogs originated Down Under in the 1840s, when a native Queenslander started breeding blue merle
Originally bred by farmers in Australia, Heelers were intended to drive cattle over rough terrain. Farmer Thomas Hall combined multiple collie strains and the Dingo to get what was known as Halls Heelers. These Heelers were then later cross-bred with Dalmations, Collies, and Kelpies to obtain desired traits.
The Texas Heeler is a mixed breed dog–a cross between the Australian Cattle Dog and Australian Shepherd dog breeds. Intelligent, hard-working, and energetic, these herding pups inherited some of the best qualities from both of their parents.
Australian Cattle Dogs are the culmination of cross-breeding the Blue Merle and the Australian Dingo by British settlers in Australia in the late 1800s. These working dogs have plenty of energy and love to run.
The Blue Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, is an intelligent and hard-working dog that loves to be active and be a part of a working crew. This breed originated in Australia and was a big part of boosting the Australian economy during the 1800s.
About the Breed
The compact but muscular Australian Cattle Dog, also called Blue or Red Heeler or Queensland Heeler, is related to Australia's famous wild dog, the Dingo.
Kelpies in Australia
They are a herding dog derived from the Scottish smooth collie or farm collie.
Breed Characteristics
Blue dog breeds carry the recessive genes for blue coat coloration from their parents. Both parent dogs do not have to be blue, but each will have the gene for a diluted black coat. If your dog has the merle gene, it can manifest as mottled patches of color.
A considerable amount of this behavior is inherited. Cattledogs were bred to control large herds and to protect animals and property from thieves, so working dogs are supposed to be suspicious of strangers and to protect territory. Dogs who are friendly to strangers are not much good at their jobs.
There is no difference—they are the same breed. All blue heelers are Australian Cattle Dogs, but not all Australian Cattle Dogs are blue heelers; some are red heelers.
The answer is YES, Australian Cattle Dogs usually become firmly attached and devoted to just one person. They typically become very protective of their owners and do not want to be separated from them. They aim to please and love nothing more than following the directives and commands of their beloved, special person.
Growling during play does not mean your dog is aggressive. It simply means they're having a great time. Your dog might even growl during a particularly pleasing cuddle or patting session. Many dogs growl talk to communicate contentment or as a greeting.
The only difference between the Red Heeler and Blue Heeler is their color. Blue Heelers are dark in color with blue-black fur, while Red Heelers are primarily an orange-brown color. Keep reading to learn more about their coats and the Australian Cattle Dog breed as a whole!
Australian Thomas Hall was the original person who bred the Red Heeler by crossing the Collie breed with the Australian Dingo canine. The new dog breed was called the Halls Heeler and is an ancestor of the Australian Cattle Dog due to its similar looks.
Named for their state of origin, the Texas heeler is a cross between the Australian cattle dog and Australian shepherd. This medium-sized mix breed was bred to herd cattle and is both high-energy and highly intelligent, which makes her a joy to train—just so long as you can keep up with her!
Genetics: cattle dog breed and recent ancestors
Australian cattle dogs (also known as red or blue heelers) are notorious for being “reactive” to other dogs or people. As a protective herding breed, cattle dogs are highly attentive to everything around them. Watchful eyes and sensitive ears don't miss much!
Are They Aggressive Dogs? Blue Heelers have one of the worst reputations among any breed for biting people. In particular, it is well known that a Blue Heeler will let anyone into a house, yet not let him or her out. They will attack the person's heel, true to the name "heeler."
This dog breed is strong, agile, and has a lot of drive to work. The Australian cattle dog is very protective of humans and their property, making them very good watchdogs. They only bark when they believe something is wrong. However, they may show aggression toward other dogs or strangers.
Nipping and biting are fairly common practices for Australian blue heelers.
After many breedings and cross-breedings, ranchers developed a solid and strong canine who could handle Australia's harsh climate. Dogs brought to Australia from England were bred with the native Australian dingo to create the ancestors of the blue heeler, or Australian cattle dog, that you know today.
While Snoopy is known to be a beagle, Bayley's breed of Mini Sheepadoodle – the result of crossing an Old English Sheepdog with a Miniature Poodle – has resulted in a near carbon copy of the drawn animal, in real life. Snoopy is the famously silent dog that originated in the “Peanuts” comic strip by Charles M.
An early Kelpie, Sally, was mated to Moss, a Smooth Collie, and she produced a black pup that was named Barb after The Barb, a black horse which had won the Melbourne Cup in 1866. Consequently, black Kelpies became known as Barb Kelpies or Barbs.
What are The Kelpies names? Duke and Baron, who were real-life working Clydesdale horses. They even came for the opening ceremony in 2013! Andy Scott modelled the horse heads after them and they are from Pollok Country Park.