Blue Heeler: Your Complete Guide
Blue heelers, or Australian cattle dogs, are medium-sized, highly intelligent dogs bred mostly for herding. They have short, dense coats that shed moderately and come in blue or red speckled patterns. Known for their loyalty and protectiveness, they require lots of regular exercise, mental stimulation, and training.
In this article, we’re going to look at everything you need to know about the breed before you get one, including its history, appearance, temperament, exercise needs, care needs, and lots more in detail.
If you’re wondering whether the dog will be a good fit in your household (especially if you live in an apartment), read on to learn more about this unique, affectionate breed.
Quick Look at the Blue Heeler
Below is a quick glance at the blue heeler in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 35-50 pounds, 18-20 inches |
| Coat Type | Short, double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Playful, aloof, loyal, and energetic |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits |  |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years |
What Is the History of Blue Heelers?
The blue heeler, also known as the Australian cattle dog (ACD), originated in the 19th century in Australia. Australian settlers needed dogs to handle the rather difficult and cumbersome task of herding cattle on expansive ranches. To make sure they chose the right dogs for the job, they began crossbreeding the native Australian dingoes with imported breeds like the Blue Merle Collie.
Thomas Hall, an Australian pastoralist, played possibly the biggest role in this breed’s development. He bred these dogs and created a resilient, intelligent, and hardworking breed that could thrive in the Australian outback.
The dogs’ blue or red speckled coats come from their Collie heritage, another beloved breed on the ranch. Their endurance and toughness, on the other hand, come from the dingo genes within them.
Blue heelers have incredible stamina and work ethic, but the most peculiar thing about them has to be their ability to control cattle by nipping at their heels. This is indeed the behavior that gave them the nickname “heelers.”
What Do Blue Heelers Look Like?
Blue heelers are sturdy looking dogs known for their compact and muscular build. They typically have a short, dense double coat that can appear either blue or red speckled. The blue coat can vary from a blue mottled to a blue speckled pattern, usually with black, blue, or cream markings on the head.
Red heelers, on the other hand, will have a consistent red speckle all over their bodies, with or without darker red patches.
What Size Is a Blue Heeler?
Blue heelers are medium-sized dogs, which means that, on average, they’ll be about 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. Their weight typically ranges from 35 to 50 pounds, with males generally being slightly larger and heavier than females.
What Is a Blue Heelers Coat Type and Length?
Heelers have a short, dense double coat designed to withstand the harshest of the weather. The outer “guard” coat is straight and coarse, and is complemented by an undercoat that is soft and thick for insulation, both of which are needed in the Australian outback that these dogs were bred in. Despite having a doublecoat, these dogs still look as sleek as a Doberman.
What Is a Blue Heelers Temperament?
Intelligence, alertness, and a hardworking nature is what these dogs are known for. Rated 5/5 bones on our ‘Energy Level’ scale, these dogs are highly energetic and will need lots of physical and mental stimulation to stay happy. Heelers are also loyal and protective, so they get really attached with their owners and are often wary of strangers.
Like most intelligent dog breeds, Blue heelers’ independence and problem-solving abilities coupled with their herding instinct can sometimes manifest as stubbornness. Yet, despite their determined nature, they are very affectionate with their family and would love all the companionship you can give to them.
With a dog that has a temperament like this, you’ll need to make sure you give it proper training and socialization to channel its energy and intelligence positively.
Are Blue Heelers Good With Kids?
Blue heelers are loyal and protective, especially towards their families, and children are most certainly a part of that family. However, while they’ll certainly be protective of the kids, due to their herding instincts, they might try to herd them by nipping at their heels as well.
There isn’t any malicious intent behind this, just like there isn’t any malice when these dogs herd at the ranch, but this behavior can be a bit startling and possibly problematic.
Blue heelers tend to do better with older children who can understand and respect their space and high energy. If the dog is socialized with children from a young age, there shouldn’t be any problem, but as a precaution, make sure that all interactions between heelers and children are supervised. It’s also important to let the children know how to behave around a dog such as this.
Are Blue Heelers Good With Other Animals?
The Australian cattle dog has no problem getting along well with other animals, especially if they are introduced to them at a young age and properly socialized. They generally coexist well with other dogs, too, but you’ll need to be wary of their dominant and assertive nature, especially if the other dog is the same sex.
Blue heelers have a high prey drive due to their herding instincts, which may mean chasing and nipping in the case of cats and other small animals.
They may do the same with children, so you’ll want to make sure you supervise all interactions with other pets and kids, especially smaller prey animals like guinea pigs or hamsters.
Are Blue Heelers Aggressive?
No, these dogs aren’t aggressive. Generally, a lot of breeds (including blue heelers) can display behaviors like growling, snapping, or territoriality if not properly trained and socialized. For herding dogs, this is mainly because of their strong protective instincts and herding background, which might also make them more prone to aggression.
Blue heelers will generally thrive in environments where they receive clear guidance, ample physical activity, and mental stimulation, all of which should be ensured regardless of whether the dog has displayed signs of aggression.
Like any breed, individual temperament can vary, and a well-trained blue heeler can be a loyal, affectionate, and well-behaved dog.
Do Blue Heelers Bark?
While some dogs will bark at everything, blue heelers have a somewhat moderate tendency to bark, which could get higher when they are bored, under-stimulated, or feel the need to alert their owners to something unusual.
They’re certainly not the most excessive barkers, but their vocal nature might still make apartment living situations difficult.
If you’re living in an apartment or any neighborhood where there are noise restrictions, you’ll want your heeler to be properly trained. Through training, these dogs can and will learn to control their barking and be more considerate of their surroundings.
Apart from that, just make sure they get enough physical exercise and mental stimulation to prevent unwanted or excessive barking.
Are Blue Heelers Affectionate?
Blue heelers have always been known as some of the most loyal and affectionate dogs. If you’re looking specifically for a lap dog, though, you might be disappointed because this breed is very active and independent by nature.
Your heeler will love being pet, scratched, and getting quality time with family, but it may not feel too excited about cuddling or sitting in laps like some smaller breeds.
This affection, unfortunately, does not carry over towards strangers, including your friends and family they haven’t yet been introduced to. Naturally, they’ll be a bit wary at first, but you shouldn’t have trouble getting them friendly to new people.
Are Blue Heelers Intelligent?
Like a lot of other herding breeds, Blue heelers are widely known for their intelligence, curiosity, and alertness. Herding dogs have sharp instincts and a keen ability to problem-solve, traits that have been honed through generations of working alongside humans. As a result, you get highly intelligent dogs that are also highly trainable and adaptable to many different tasks and environments.
As we’ve discussed throughout this article, blue heelers thrive on mental stimulation and will need the occasional challenge to keep their minds engaged. They’re quick learners and are known to do particularly well in various dog sports and activities, including obedience trials, agility courses, and advanced training.
Are Blue Heelers Energetic?
Blue heelers are one of the most energetic dogs known to mankind. Bred for herding cattle in the rugged Australian outback, they have all the stamina and endurance needed to keep up with their jobs. When they’re not in the outback, they’ll need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to be at their best.
This means that daily walks alone may not be enough. Instead, consider activities such as running, hiking, or playing fetch, which are better suited to what these dogs need.
At the same time, mentally stimulating games or training sessions will also help get their energy out in a good way. Generally, you should try to give them as many opportunities as you can to burn off energy.
Are Blue Heelers Easy to Train?
Blue heelers were bred to help out on farms and ranches, which has a fortunate side effect of producing highly trainable dogs thanks to their remarkable intelligence and eagerness to learn. They’ll figure out and learn new commands and concepts quickly and easily, which is perfect if you want to teach them complex tricks. Since they also love mental stimulation, they’ll enjoy the challenge that comes with mastering new skills.
Blue heelers do well in many different dog sports and activities, including agility training, obedience trials, and advanced training like search and rescue or scent work.
Their natural athleticism and agility make them perfect for agility training too, as long as the training they get for it is positive and consistent, and offers them the occasional reward for doing well.
Are Blue Heelers Good Watchdogs?
Yes, blue heelers are great watchdogs. Their alertness, protectiveness, and bravery make them naturally vigilant and quick to alert you to any threats or unusual activities in their surroundings. This could include your friends or family they haven’t seen before.
They’re loyal to a fault when it comes to their families, and they are not hesitant to defend their territory if they perceive a threat. This does ensure that if you’re getting a blue heeler primarily as a watchdog, they’ll be really good at detecting intruders or suspicious activity in general, letting you rest at ease while they stand guard.
Are Blue Heelers Good Service Dogs?
Intelligence, loyalty, and trainability are all important for service work, but above all, service dogs need a consistent, calm demeanor and reliable behavior in different environments. Blue heelers may not be so good at it since they’re naturally so active and aloof.
Plus, with a handler that they’re strongly bonded with and protective of, they might be a bit too wary of strangers in public places. This could create difficult situations for both the handler and the people they interact with.
What they definitely will be great at, no matter what, though, is as emotional support animals. Blue heelers are really affectionate, as we looked at earlier, and can provide just the emotional support their owners need in their low moments.
How to Care for a Blue Heeler?
Caring for a blue heeler requires lots of regular exercise, mental stimulation, and consistent training for whichever role you’d like them to perform at home. For the diet, make sure it’s tailored to their activity level and age. If you’re not sure what that should look like, visit a vet to get a personalized diet plan for them.
The vet will also help catch any health issues before they become a big problem. Grooming needs are minimal, but that presumes regular brushing to manage shedding. This will also keep their coat healthy over time.
Do You Need to Groom a Blue Heeler?
Blue heelers require only occasional brushing and baths as needed. Nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are also important but can typically be done at home, though you can go to a professional if preferred.
Do Blue Heelers Shed?
Yes, but only moderately. They shed year-round, with heavier shedding occurring seasonally, typically in the spring and fall. While no dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, blue heelers have been known to produce fewer allergens than some other breeds due to their short, dense coats and minimal shedding.
What Health Problems Do Blue Heelers Have?
The Australian cattle dog is generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), deafness, and various musculoskeletal issues.
Each of these issues is either preventable or manageable with regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining a healthy diet, providing regular exercise, and keeping up with vaccinations. When getting the dog, make sure you’re working with a responsible breeder that includes health screenings for breeding pairs.
How Long Do Blue Heelers Live?
Blue heelers have an average lifespan of 12-16 years.
What Should a Blue Heeler Eat?
Blue heelers should be fed only high-quality dog food in accordance with their age, size, and activity level. Generally, blue heelers are medium-sized and pretty active, which makes well-balanced diets a requirement to support their muscle development and energy needs.
The amount of food this breed should eat will ultimately change depending on age, metabolism, and activity level, but typically, adult blue heelers require about 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food per day, divided into two meals.
Is a Blue Heeler the Right Dog for Me?
Herding dogs are generally best for people who have a lot of time and space for exercise with their pets. These dogs are energetic and always look for a way to let that energy out, so if you’re someone living a really active lifestyle, then a blue heeler will be perfect for you.
These are also some of the most affectionate and loyal dog breeds out there, which makes them perfect for people that are in need of a watchdog. Above all, a heeler would be absolutely perfect in any place that gives it plenty of love, attention, and companionship, which is what really matters at the end of the day.