Often known as Australian cattle canine, the blue heeler is likely one of the final working canines.
Bred to herd cattle within the Australian outback, this medium-sized canine breed is hardy, tenacious, loyal, and energetic. And, if there’s one phrase for use to explain the heeler, many house owners would say ‘workaholic’!
Whereas blue heelers have gotten in style pets, their intelligence, power, and depth could make them a little bit of a problem for much less skilled pet homeowners. However for others, the distinctive qualities of the blue heeler canine breed make them the right household pet.
Nevertheless, there are some gorgeous blue heeler crossbreeds coming to the fore which can be a greater match for you and your loved ones. We take a extra in-depth have a look at what makes a blue heeler and spotlight 15 of the most effective blue heeler mixes.
All you Must Know in regards to the Blue Heeler
With its brief, sturdy coat that includes the distinct speckled blue coloring, the Blue Heeler is a good-looking animal. And while you understand that this hardworking breed is the results of a cross between both dalmatians or border collies with the wild dingo canine, you possibly can see its heritage.
Initially bred within the nineteenth century, blue heelers have been used for herding cattle again to the farm within the huge Australian outback. They received their identify as they nipped on the heels of the cattle to maintain them on the transfer.
The heeler can also be a remarkably resilient and difficult canine, capable of take care of the cruel Aussie local weather.
The blue heeler was acknowledged as a purebred canine breed by the American Kennel Membership in 1980.
Key Traits of the Blue Heeler
- Look: Rising as much as 20 inches tall, the Blue Heeler is a protracted and stocky canine, with a shorthaired coat and a bushy, muscular tail. They’ve darkish, clever eyes, set in a large cranium and alert, upright ears.
All blue heelers are born with a white coat, which develops the distinctive blue mottling or blue speckled sample as they age. You too can get pink heelers, which have a rusty speckle to their fur. - Temperament: With boundless power, blue heelers are the last word working canine. The heeler is clever with a robust work ethic, which implies they will succumb to boredom if not mentally and bodily stimulated.
The blue heeler can also be loyal and protecting with an impartial streak so might be cautious of different canine. Their persona might be greatest described as slightly intense so that they want an energetic dwelling to convey out their greatest. - Coaching: With their sturdy persona, the heeler wants early correct socialization and constant coaching to convey out his greatest.
Their herding intuition can also be sturdy, and so they can ‘herd’ kids, different animals, and household pets by nipping at their heels.
However they love a job to do, so like many different canine, they will excel at canine sports activities and obedience coaching. Train-wise, the Australian heeler wants loads of outside time so greatest suited to energetic canine homeowners. - Well being: A tricky, resilient animal, the blue heeler is mostly a wholesome canine with a mean lifespan of between 12 and 15 years.
Nevertheless, blue heeler canine are vulnerable to sure well being situations, together with hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, deafness, cataracts, and ear infections.
The 15 Beautiful Blue Heeler Mixes
With such a robust persona, work ethic, and excessive want for train, the pure blue heeler is an brisk canine that will not be appropriate for each would-be canine proprietor or household with babies.
However with an Australian blue heeler cross breed, you will get the most effective of each worlds by mixing two completely different canine breeds.
Often called a hybrid canine, we’ve put collectively a listing of what we expect are 15 of the most effective blue heeler mixes so that you can think about.
1. Basset Heeler (Basset hound/blue heeler)
There’s a cuteness overload with the basset heeler due to its floppy ears, hangdog face, and lovely blue spots. And as a smaller canine, the basset heeler is an efficient selection if giant canine should not your factor.
Nevertheless, this energetic pooch additionally has a larger-than-life persona and might be very protecting in addition to cautious with strangers. That is why, as with all of the blue heeler combine breeds, early socialization and constant coaching are a should.
The basset heeler is a robust, muscular canine with a stunning delicate, but brief coat. He’s additionally a vibrant spark and may develop into damaging if left alone too lengthy or is allowed to get bored.
2. Beagle Heeler
Curious, playful, affectionate, and energetic, combining the inquisitive beagle with the blue heeler makes a particular mixture. Nevertheless it’s additionally a blue heeler combine breed to maintain you in your toes!
This can be a fairly blue heeler combine, due to these distinctive beagle-droop ears from its guardian breed. You may additionally see tan and black beagle patches of colour on the blue mottled coat.
As a medium-sized canine, the beagle heeler generally is a sensible choice for households as they like to play, though they will err on the mischievous aspect. And all that heeler/beagle power will maintain you and your children energetic.
And also you do want to remember that with the heeler’s drive to work and the beagle nostril, you will have a wanderer in your fingers.
3. Bernese Cattle Canine (Bernese mountain canine/blue heeler)
A sizeable pooch, the Bernese cattle canine wants house, train, and stimulation.
Bringing collectively the herding blue heeler with the Bernese mountain canine, the Bernese cattle canine is a surprising designer canine. And general, it has the most effective traits of its guardian breeds.
The Bernese cattle canine craves consideration and is a brilliant affectionate member of the household, that can also be good with kids. And their sharp mind is extremely trainable, though they do want a whole lot of psychological and bodily stimulation.
As they’re people-focused, the Bernese cattle canine will also be susceptible to bouts of separation nervousness.
4. Blue Spaniel (cocker spaniel/blue heeler)
Probably the most in style household canine, the cocker spaniel already has loads of power. So, while you add the blue heeler into the combination, you get a really bouncy canine certainly!
What the spaniel brings to this energetic blue heeler combine is its bubbly, constructive, and pleasant demeanor. And this could counter the extra intense nature of the Australian cattle canine.
With the blue spaniel, you get the lux fur of the cocker, blended with the gorgeous heeler mottled blue. With lengthy fur on the ears and chest, the blue spaniel is one good-looking hybrid canine.
Nevertheless, the blue spaniel generally is a little aggressive in direction of strangers and is understood to be a barker, so loads of train and playtime is a should. And, as cockers might be susceptible to eye points equivalent to progressive retinal atrophy, then that is an space to look at.
5. Blue Tzu Heeler (Shih Tzu/blue heeler)
The primary of our ‘mini’ Blue Heeler crosses, the Blue Tzu is an absolute cutie and might be anyplace between 12 and 18 inches tall. And naturally, the Blue Tzu comes with the Shih Tzu’s perspective in spades!
That is additionally a really fluffy hybrid canine, with the Shih Tzu’s furry ears and physique giving him a luxurious look, enhanced by the traditional blue heeler coat sample.
Though a smaller canine than a pure Blue Heeler, the Blue Tzu Heeler nonetheless has loads of power and likes to get out and about. In truth, this cross breed thrives in giant open areas somewhat than simply being a settee lap canine.
However he does have the Shih Tzu’s want for firm, so it’s good to be certain you can even bathe him with loads of love and a spotlight.
6. Border Heeler (border collie/blue heeler)
Combining the border collie with the blue heeler, the border heeler is a heady combine. Bringing collectively two of essentially the most profitable herding canine means you get a combination that may are usually on the hyperactive aspect, particularly when their intelligence is introduced into play.
The border collie blue heeler combine has boundless power that must be harnessed as they are often damaging if bored so loads of day by day train and stimulation is crucial.
Early socialization and coaching are additionally a should in case you are to handle their protecting aspect that comes from their herding canine’ intuition. Because of this this border collie combine is greatest suited to extra skilled canine homeowners.
Healthwise, there are just a few points to notice with the border heeler, as they are often susceptible to eye issues, together with cataracts and a situation referred to as collie eye anomaly.
7. Boston Cattle Canine (Boston terrier/blue heeler)
The Boston cattle canine is a spunky chap, due to its Boston terrier heritage, which supplies it a spirited persona.
The Australian cattle canine side of this blue heeler combine provides in additional power, plus additional intelligence, making the Boston cattle canine very sensible certainly.
A muscular smaller-medium-sized pooch, the Boston cattle canine will also be surprisingly sturdy and so wants assured and agency dealing with to maintain him in test. Constant coaching will probably be wanted to counter his urge to dominate.
In the proper fingers, nevertheless, the Boston cattle canine might be an superior pet, that’s each switched on and pleasant. And this could make him a superb playmate for older kids as this blue heeler combine could attempt to ‘herd’ smaller children.
8. Field Heeler (Boxer/blue heeler)
The Field heeler is a super-friendly canine when he will get to know you. And he has a affected person aspect which counters the blue heeler’s extra intense persona.
However you additionally get the protecting instincts that may be present in each the boxer and blue heeler breeds, which wants cautious dealing with. Nevertheless, this trait could make this cross breed a superb guard or watchdog.
Longer limbed than the Australian cattle canine, the field heeler has the distinctive boxer face, together with his brief, easy-to-care-for coat peppered with blue speckles and mottling.
A well-liked canine, the field heeler can also be a bundle of enjoyable and power, so would profit from an energetic dwelling, the place he’ll make a improbable playmate for older kids.
Usually sturdy and wholesome, the field heeler has a lifespan of as much as 16 years.
9. Chi Heeler (Chihuahua/blue heeler)
On paper, a chihuahua and a blue heeler combine sound like an odd mixture, however it appears to work.
Appears-wise, chi heelers are medium to small canine with the stature of the chihuahua, and the durability and blue mottling of the Queensland heeler. You additionally get a heady mixture of that chihuahua sass and the heeler’s switched-on mind.
Whereas this will likely sound like hassle, what you do get is a enjoyable, energetic, and hyper-alert pooch that has a rare zest for all times. He can are usually a typical chihuahua, nevertheless, in relation to kids, exhibiting his bossy, dominant aspect, particularly with the youthful ones.
Mild shedding, really easy to look after, the chihuahua cattle canine combine likes to rule the roost. However with constant dealing with and loads of love and a spotlight, the chi heeler is a rewarding little canine to personal.
10. Corgi Blue Heeler
With these distinctive corgi ‘bat ears’ and the trademark blue heeler mottling, the corgi blue heeler is an extraordinary-looking pup that can soften your coronary heart.
A cross between the family-friendly Pembroke Welsh corgi and the Australian cattle canine, this medium-sized canine is much less energetic than a full-on blue heeler.
However that doesn’t imply they don’t want a lot train as this cute dude remains to be slightly powerhouse. And the heeler affect also can make this corgi cross breed much less of a barker.
The corgi blue heeler combine is wise and must be occupied, however then is completely satisfied to cool down together with his human pack on the finish of the day. Which makes him a very good companion for an energetic household with children.
11. Dalmatian Heeler
Take two canine breeds identified for his or her distinctive coats and you’ve got some of the eye-catching blue heeler mixes.
The spots of the dalmatian and the gray, black, and blue heeler mottling and the dalmatian heeler actually turns these heads. However this dalmatian blue heeler combine is extra than simply appears as he additionally comes with a big persona to match.
The dalmatian heeler is one for extra skilled canine homeowners as they have a tendency to have fairly a domineering persona.
They will also be on the delicate aspect, so can crave consideration. And their protecting instincts imply early socialization and correct obedience coaching are important
Train-wise, these lengthy dalmatian legs, and blue heeler power imply the dalmatian heeler must be walked each day at the least, plus loads of playtimes.
12. Labraheeler (Labrador/blue heeler)
Persistently the preferred canine breed within the US, the Labrador is a well-established pet in its personal proper. So, the labraheeler – a blue heeler lab combine – has so much to reside as much as.
With the loyalty of the blue heeler and the affectionate persona of the Labrador, the labraheeler makes a superb all-around household canine.
However it’s good to be ready to place the strolling miles in, as this loving blue heeler combine breed wants loads of day by day workout routines.
The physique and face of the labraheeler are clearly lab, however he has essentially the most beautiful black, blue, and white mottled coat sample of the heeler. And his persona can also be the most effective of each worlds, with the enjoyable and people-loving lab softening off the heeler’s extra aloof and protecting aspect.
13. Pit Heeler (American pit bull/blue heeler)
Should you like your canine to affectionate with loads of power, then the pit heeler might be your best match.
A combination between the blue heeler and the long-lasting American pit bull terrier, the pit heeler makes a fantastic household pet in addition to a watchdog.
With the pit bull’s muscular construct and huge head, the terrier aspect on this combine is obvious. However the heeler vibe kicks in due to the blue mottling throughout the canine’s brief coat.
The mixed intelligence of the guardian breeds additionally signifies that the pit heeler responds nicely to coaching and likes to have a job to do. And the pittie affect means in addition they reply nicely to like and affection from their human.
Nevertheless, the heeler’s reserve and power ranges imply that this blue heeler combine thrives greatest in an skilled family.
14. Shepherd heeler (German shepherd/blue heeler)
Our subsequent blue heeler combine is the majestic shepherd heeler, which mixes the Australian cattle canine with the imposing German shepherd.
The very first thing to notice in regards to the shepherd blue heeler combine is that it’s a sturdy animal, so greatest suited to skilled somewhat than first-time pet homeowners.
The dominance trait is evident within the shepherd heeler which implies they want satisfactory train, loads of house, and constant coaching and dealing with.
However with their protecting nature and inherited work ethic, the shepherd heeler makes a superb guard and even service canine in addition to a loyal companion.
This can be a giant animal – the shepherd heeler can weigh as much as 95 kilos – and their double coat means their grooming regime will also be fairly demanding. And they are often susceptible to hip dysplasia which is frequent within the German shepherd breed.
15. Texas heeler (AKA Australian shepherd blue heeler)
This cross breed is a mixture of two iconic antipodean canines – the blue heeler (also called the Queensland heeler) and the Australian shepherd canine.
The result’s a heady mixture of excessive power and a robust need to work. This implies extra skilled canine homeowners are greatest to take the clever and full-pelt Australian shepherd blue heeler combine on.
The Texas heeler will want at the least 60-90 minutes of train each day plus loads of outside house to name his personal. And the sensible mind of the Australian shepherd blue heeler means in addition they want loads of psychological stimulation to forestall boredom from setting in.
However for the energetic household who likes to train within the nice outdoor, the Texas heeler/Australian shepherd blue heeler combine canine will develop into a loving, loyal, and pleasant furry companion.
Deciding if a Blue Heeler Combine is Best for you
Each the blue heeler and a blue heeler combine could make nice companions and have all of the core attributes to be a loyal household canine.
However, as a hybrid canine takes traits from every guardian canine, it’s good to anticipate a pooch with a robust persona. They may also be very energetic canine.
The blue heeler attributes as a herding canine will most certainly imply the blue heeler combine you select will probably be extra high-energy and require loads of workout routines, constant coaching, and ample psychological stimulation.
So, in case you are severely contemplating one of many blue heeler mixes, be sure you do your analysis into each breeds and perceive their possible temperament, well being, care, and coaching/train wants.
And be sure you solely use a good breeder or shelter and do all of the checks required to make sure your new blue heeler combine pet or grownup mixed-breed canine is completely satisfied and wholesome.
With all this data handy, it is possible for you to to confidently resolve whether or not a blue heeler combine makes the proper canine for you, your loved ones, and another pets you will have.
And when you do select a stunning blue heeler combine canine, then you’ll hopefully have many completely satisfied, energetic, enjoyable, and loving years collectively.