Do you have a blue heeler? I want to know what they're like?

Question

I have a puppy, i just got her today. Tell me about your blue heeler! =)

Answer 1

Okay, I don't know if you did your research before you got this dog, but get ready!
The ACD is one of the most intelligent dog breeds on the planet. They were bred to work 12 hour days with no breaks and no supervision. They work hurt, hungry, tired, cold, you name it. The herding instinct in this breed is so strong that they are NOT recommended for households with small children, as they like to bite heels to herd and are very mouthy in general. Take all of that and add it to a non-stop energy level and a brain so smart that if you don't entertain them with work all the time they can become incredibly destructive and often aggressive as well. They are stubborn, opinionated, and pretty hard to train, especially for a dog owner who is not experienced at obedience training. They tend to like being the only dog, and are so protective of family and land that they are formidable to any intruder.
That being said, they are the most fun dog I have ever owned. My girl keeps me on my toes every day. She needs hours of play time every day, and is insistent if I don't pay enough attention to her. She excells at herding her basketball around the yard at full speed, and we are starting agility in the spring and maybe getting her assessed in cattle herding ability as well to keep her busy.
She is very aggressive to children, as they look like something she needs to herd, and they move "funny", which scares her. I have to take extra precautions to keep her away from the general public.
Not all ACDs are this intense and focused, but the vast majority are, which is why they so often end up in kill shelters and abused. There are some great rescue groups out west and in Canada who do nothing but save these dogs and get them placed on ranches and farms, where they can be happy and do their best work.
If you are truly serious about owning this breed and you love your puppy, you need to enroll in obedience right away. Make sure you find a training method that only uses positive reinforcement as the other kind can cause some pretty scary aggression in these dogs. They are certainly not afraid to tell you what they think! In addition, I would join a chat group-Yahoo Groups has one, that is peopled by ACD owners, breeders and trainers, just in case you need some advice.
This is an awesome breed that is much misunderstood and is not usually happy as just the family dog. They tend to look at cats as something to chase down and kill for fun, as well as chickens and any other small animals.
I love my ACD, but I don't know anyone (and I know quite a few dog owners) in my dog world who would have taken her on and won.
Good luck with your puppy-they are incredibly cute!

Answer 2

Wait she is a mix between a red heeler and a blue heeler? She is not a mix breed at all then, red heeler and blue heeler are just other names for Australian Cattle Dog, they ARE the same breed. She is an australian cattle dog, period. Aussies are herding dogs NOT hunting dogs. So what she knows a few tricks whoop de do. Does she have any HERDING instinct? Does she have any HERDING titles? Does she have any titles to begin with, or is she just your pet? Does she have any genetic health testing? Are you prepared to loose her in whelp? Cause there is a chance she may die. And at 4 years that risk is higher than if she was younger. Most people talk retirement at that age. You don't even know the first thing about breeding, yet you say you are ready. Are you really? Breeding isn't all sugar, spice, and everything nice, it isn't a miracle, and your dog will not miss anything if she is never bred. Dogs do not think like that, stop anthropomorphizing.

Answer 3

I used to have a blue heeler names speckles. I wanted to name it spots and my sister wanted to call her pickles so my dad decided on speckles. I loved that dog. She was energetic, fun, loyal, and friendly. My blue heeler was a little protective of us and bit the neighbors and for a long time we thought that she was just unfriendly to other people but then we found out that the neighbors were throwing sticks and provoking her. We had to get rid of her because my grandparents couldnt have her anymore but i saw her about 3 years ago and she's a little older and less energetic but still an amazing and nice dog. Good choice.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do you have a blue heeler? I want to know what they're like?
I have a puppy, i just got her today. Tell me about your blue heeler! =)

Answer 5

I had a couple growing up. They're farm dogs, so I hope you have a lot of room for her to roam!

Edited to add: You really should have done your research on this breed before getting a pup. They're high strung, high energy, highly intelligent dogs. They really don't make good house dogs at all. We see a lot in the shelters/rescues in the area because people just can't keep them in a city environment.

Answer 6

I had one growing up, named Ruger. He still lives with my parents, as I am in the Navy. Ruger is the best dog ever. He's like a person, he's funny, smart and kind. He knows all kinds of tricks, and funny little things he does. He LOVES to eat ice, I don't know why, but when ever he hears that jingle of ice in a glass he gets SO excited. Ruger lives indoors, and still sleeps in my bedroom. We always name his toys, and he knows which one to go get, its amazing. We always talk to him like a person ya know, not like a dog, he can understand.

The reason he's so cool... cause my brother, myself, my parents spent ALL the time with him. Outside, inside, in the car, every where. We go camping a lot, in Colorado, and he has never ran away or anything. He loves to run and play. Blue Heelers are herding dogs, so when you run with them, they LOVE to bite your shoes/feet. Also... if you go camping, be ready to grab hold of your blue if there are cattle around!!! They will go for them, and start herding them up. Cattle owners don't like that one bit, so be careful!
Ruger does really well inside, but I think he likes having a yard. He goes and gets the paper for my dad every morning, knows how to ask to be let out, for poddy breaks. He's never tried to bite anyone. He's REALLY afraid of dolls... some friends with young kids came over, and he barked SO much at those dolls! Obviously, my brother and I never had dolls, so I dunno what that was about.

Blue Heelers are great dogs. Spend lots of time with her, even if you are watching tv, talk to her, play games and you'll be shocked how fast she will pick up on things! Congrats on your new best friend. T

Answer 7

Our baby is a Queensland Heeler and he is brilliant. He is very independent. We are not where he can work at his genetic job so we try to keep him busy with other tasks.
Heelers are working dogs and like to have something to do or they will drive you nuts. Be sure to take him for walks with the ball or frisbee every day. He will learn fast, at 4 weeks, he can learn sit, down, hi-5, give me 10. Our heeler's vocabular is extensive. And he sits and makes notices like he is trying to teach us to speek "dog".

Answer 8

My sister and i both have one.They are a little hyper at first ,but love most people .They are a one person dog and are very smart, love to play and fast ,listens real well too.my dog loves little kids to death.She just seems to know and is very gentel around them.She loves the water and the snow.They are loyal and like to ride in the car both of them.They dont bark much,but will let you know if there is stranger around. In my opinion they are a great dog and companion,also easy to house break . It all begins when they are little and how much time u spend with them. hope this helped you some.

Answer 9

Hey...yeah I just got a male blue heeler this past weekend. I saw your other question (about what to name her), Heidi would be cute...since she likes to hide under stuff...and it is just cute, but you prolly already have a name. I am still workin on a name for mine...he is deaf, which is fine, ill just need to work with him extra hard, he is soooo cute, they are my favorite. they are very smart...they need to exercise their smarts too...ie workin cattle or what not...they are the best dogs ever...my friend has one that rides on the back of the horse with him, which is really cool, but anyway...i am sure you will love your pup...good luck with her!

Answer 10

I think they can be tempermental, I had a mix, she was alot better after about 7 years, but once she chewed through a metal cage and escaped. after that her teeth started falling out.