How long do blue heelers live

Australian Cattle Dogs have a stubbornness that makes them high achievers that are ready to meet the toughest challenges. They are independent by nature, but are entirely trust-worthy and capable of being left in control of a herd.

However, it is necessary for the owner to take on the role of master -- or pack leader, as it is termed -- without question, since this breed has a strong pack instinct. Heeler's have sharp minds and should be given regular physical and mental exercises so that they are able to focus and respond well. Regular open space exercise is essential for the Heeler's well being. If they are left without direction, they will look for ways to occupy themselves, which can lead to mischief.

On the other hand, this breed is known to pick up after itself, putting toys away after activity time. They are good with children but may have a tendency to try to control their movements, to "herd" the children. With strangers, the standard expected stance for this breed is one of shyness and caution. Outside of the traditional working environment for which this breed was designed, it is especially suited for an active, adventurous life, such as hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities.

Australian Cattle Dogs can survive under both cool and temperate climatic condition. They were bred especially for the sometimes harsh environment of the Australian outback. They can live in a secure shelter outdoors, but they also do well inside the house with the family.

Ample physical and mental exercise, perhaps long sessions of walking or jogging, or specially designed agility exercises, such as Frisbee or course runs, will help the Heller to stay fit and to spend its excess energy.

Grooming is easy enough, with the occasional combing and brushing to encourage hair turnover, along with weekly baths. The importance pf obedience and intellectual challenges for keeping the Australian Cattle Dog fit cannot be stressed enough. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease. Australian Cattle Dogs are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper.

Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination, which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors. Australian Cattle Dogs make great pets if you can to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they require to stay healthy and happy.

But they are best suited to homes without very small children. I miss her so so so much. It was like losing my first kid when we put her down. I now have a Blue Heeler that I got 3 days ago. I am a single mom and have my daughter every other week and I now can feel safe with us being home. Our dogs are the same! Vets told me they live between years.

He recently started getting seizures for the first time ever. Any other tips on how you deal with them? You have described my blue heeler Topcat, to a tee in your post. He is my best friend and I love him with all my heart. I have heard that they can tend to be a one owner dog at times.

I just got one for my daughter for a early Christmas present but since I will be around her most of the time I have a feeling she will bond to me more, but protect both of us.

Article is spot on. Our 4-month old has been herding the family by nipping at heels, make a point of catch daily as she needs the movement, we work on our vehicles as a hobby and she is bothersome though we expect she will mature.

I have read that the blue heeler was started by a dingo dog and terrier but the breed was to aggressive towards the cattle and the horse rider so they bread them with a Dalmatian that is why they are born white and a few black spots ends as they get older they get their color and you can still see a few dots of color on them.

They are very intelligent when he was born I had kidney surgery and as a pup he laid with me in bed he would whimpered I open the door and the little guy walked outside did his business and came back inside I never trained him to do that freaking amazing.

He is 13 years old and it is getting closer to his time. Hi, everything u say about our Queensland blue healers. I have had 3. Besides my labs. Healers r the best. Smart, loyal , beautiful. All without training. My girl is 2. Hi Roy, to respectfully correct you- not crossed with Dalmatian, crossed Mostly with UK highland cattle dogs where the blue and speckles come from and dingos.

Some other herding dogs in the mix here and there depending on the line, such as Collies. The British breed used in the mix was the Cur Heeler only. No Collies were introduced into the line at all. They are just a cross between the Cur Heeler and the Australian Dingo. They were originally bred by Thomas Hall, an Australian Grazier, over an 8 year period between and During that period Hall back bred numerous times in order to achieve the ideal working breed with the intelligence and working instinct of the Cur Heeler and the physical capability of the dingo in the harsh Australian climate.

I have a two year old Heeler. The article describes Obi to a tee. I also have an Australian Shepherd, they are the best of friends, but sometimes have spats that can end with hurt feelings or a nip or two with my Heeler on top. They have a shrill bark that is hard to listen to, it hurts your ears. This is to let me know someone other than the family is on our property. All and all, he is a wonderful dog that is a very good watch dog and companion. Never would I hit my dogs, they depend on me for their care and love me for that.

Dar in Georgia. I don like hitting. We use a fly swatter. Our new puppy is 3. She does not nip. We had friends with their dogs 6 total. And she was wonderful. So smart. We are on 7 acres and she is truly a smart and loving girl. Bell for shor. How did you use the fly swatter…?

Nipping is not a behavior problem, these dogs are herders, this is a very smart breed of dog. I have been nipped on the rear because I was a few minutes late for feeding time. I survived. Heelers are high energy dogs, They need to work and they need space to run. How about using a spray bottle filled with water… that works really well.

We constantly work with her, train her, and reward her with good praise and treats, her personal favorite. We never hit her although sometime she likes to howl and bark at the dinner table. Very intelligent, very intuitive, very communicative. We do this twice a day, once in the morning once in the evening. She has been nothing less than a joy to be with. I have 2 blue heelers that are dappled real light blue and we want to breed them was wondering if u can help by letting me know on her 2 heat can they breed and she is 2months old they both have papers and i have had dogs that have had?

I hear you on that. I love my dog more than anything and would never hit him, I thought. I was getting him into the bathtub to give him a bath and he turned around and nipped my arm and in a regrettable but immediate reaction I smacked him on the nose.

My bad, and poor response…stupid me. What was interesting is it took my heeler weeks before I could hug him without a little growl. This was a great article, perfectly describing my dog. I have owned several other dogs before but I have never loved a dog like this. You do not hit a dog.

That includes spanking. A dog that gets spanked or hit does not respect their owners, they fear them. I use clicker training with my Blue Heeler mix. He loves it. He was 2 years old when I adopted him from the local pound. I am writing to ask you how you train with a clicker? I have not heard of it and want to try. She loves other dogs, but I think she gets upset and fears them. She is a rescue from Puerto Rico and had abuse in her background.

I love her so incredibly much and want to teach her that other dogs can be safe for her to love. She whimpers and whines as she meets them on the road, wanting to play with them.

But when they get close she seems either aggressive or defensive. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals. Oct Sep Sep 2. Aug Aug 6. Jul Jun 2. May May 5. Give a Gift. A blue heeler dog. Facts on the Blue Heeler Dog.

By dogedit. Share on facebook Facebook. Share on twitter Twitter. Share on linkedin LinkedIn. Share on pinterest Pinterest. Share on email Email. Positive reinforcement is an excellent way to raise a Blue Heeler puppy to become a loving and friendly family pet. Here are some training techniques to help you get started:. As soon as you bring a Blue Heeler puppy home, socialize them with people and other animals right away.

Socializing them is not only a part of training them, but it also makes them happier. These dogs require time to adjust to people and other animals outside the family. With the right training, they will learn to behave well around strangers and animals.

The key is to allow them to spend time outdoors. These energized dogs also require a lot of exercise to stay happy, so taking them out for a walk where they get to see more people and interact with other animals is a great way to introduce your dog to the world. Teach your dog to socialize right from the beginning, so they learn how to behave around people and other animals as they grow up.

Consistency is the key to training dogs, especially Blue Heelers. These are smart dogs, so you need to be very patient and consistent with your approach. If you let them get away with bad behavior or breaking a rule, they will do it again. It is crucial to introduce boundaries to a Blue Heeler. These dogs are verycurious and love to explore.

Training your dog to heel and stay can help you deal with this problem. So be the boss. Just because you let that adorable puppy have his way during puppyhood, you will end up with an adult dog that might boss you around. You need to show who the real boss is, or the behavior issues might get worse in little time. Positive reinforcement does not have to be forceful.

Disciplining a Blue Heeler is important, but it is equally imperative to train positively and with kindness. Having a firm approach is crucial. Dogs respond best to kindness and positivity, and if they feel appreciated, they would love to make you happy again. As far as the exercise requirements are concerned, Blue Heelersarea suitable dog for someone who can keep up with their energy levels and provide them with an outlet that keeps them worked, happy, and engaged.

These dogs love to play and run. Fetch could be their favorite game outdoors because it involves running and has a purpose-driven goal of finding the ball and bringing it back. The highly energized dog is not well suited to live in small spaces for the same reason. They need a lot of space to move around and to stay active — just the way they like it. Unfortunately, like most purebred dogs, Blue Heelers are prone to various health problems, especially inherited eye problems.

Here are some common health issues of Australian Cattle Dogs to beware of:. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a slow and painless process in which the dog gradually loses sight until blind in both eyes.

The speed of the progress can vary anywhere between several months to several years. It is now possible to find out if the dog is carrying the PRA gene, which helps the reputable breeders to screen their breeding stock, which reduces the risk of passing along this common disease.

Lens Luxation is another eye disease in dogs in which the lens of the eye separates either entirely or partially. This disease can be treated at different stages. It is best to see a vet if you suspect lens luxation. In this condition, the hip joints grind together as the dog moves. This condition affectsmany dog breeds, including the Blue Heelers. Depending on the severity of the disease, the dog may require physiotherapy or surgery.

Osteochondritis Dissecans is another bone-related disease to which Australian Cattle Dogs are prone. This condition causes the dog to have deficient bone due to excess cartilage, which is not replaced by bone during fetal development.

The condition is with medicines, treatment, and in worst cases, with corrective surgery. OCD is very stressful for this breed because it hinders the exercise that they require to stay fit and happy. An association between deafness and coat color has been highlighted among several dog breeds. But the mechanism and pattern of inheritance differ.