Is a Blue Heeler a good family dog?

The Australian Cattle Dog: Family Dog and Intelligent Companion. Australian Cattle Dogs, also called Blue Heelers, are extremely alert, pleasant pups with keen intelligence and a fierce sense of loyalty. These faithful friends are not considered aggressive and can be an excellent fit for families with kids.

Do Blue Heelers like to cuddle?

Before adopting a Cattle dog, make sure you are not looking for a guaranteed, all-around affectionate pooch. There’s a possibility your Cattle Dog may not always like or need to cuddle, but they are definitely affectionate dogs.

Are Blue Heelers bad dogs?

Even though Blue Heelers are friendly dogs and make excellent pets if trained and socialized well, they do tend to stay a little reserved with strangers. Once these dogs bond, it’s a lifetime commitment. Physical separation from their owner is considered as a punishment for Blue Heelers.

How aggressive is a Blue Heeler?

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.”

How do I get my Blue Heeler puppy to stop biting?

Keep a treat (or kibble) in your hand between your thumb and index/middle finger letting it protrude a bit and insert the treat/kibble directly into your puppy’s mouth. If he is rough with his teeth, don’t let go (letting go will only reinforce the biting down behavior).

Do Blue Heelers shed a lot?

Like many double-coated dog breeds, Blue Heelers have a thick undercoat that make them moderate to heavy shedders year-round. During fall and spring, they’ll experience excessive shedding in clumps by “blowing” their coats. Let’s examine why they shed and ways you can deal with Blue Heeler shedding.

Do Blue Heelers choose one person?

Blue Heeler by Shutterstock. Blue Heelers are fiercely independent dogs, who are usually devoted to one person. This characteristic stems from the types of canines Australian George Elliott used to develop the breed in 1840, a mix of native dingos with Collies and other herding dogs.

What age does a Blue Heeler calm down?

Most Australian Cattle Dogs will begin to calm down on their own around 2 years of age, and will be on their way to emotional maturity at about 3 or 4. Here are 5 things you can do to help your Australian Cattle Dog calm down. Teach come, sit and stay, and to relax while spending time in a suitable kennel.

Why are Blue Heelers so aggressive?

Bred to fearlessly herd cattle, the blue heeler needs a strong leader in its pack or it will assume the role of pack leadership. Unchecked, this tendency can develop into dominance and even aggressive behavior toward both other dogs and humans.

Why are Blue Heelers so mean?

Why do Blue Heelers bite so much?

Many Cattle Dogs bite out of boredom. They are full of energy, so if they don’t get enough exercise they can act out. Make sure your keen dog gets a long walk every day.

Is a blue heeler a good family dog?

This is instinct, but can become a problem. If not properly socialized, he may become aggressive. A properly trained and socialized blue heeler is an excellent family dog. He is agile and tireless, loves to run and play with children and is an affectionate, fun-loving companion.

What is the life expectancy of a blue heeler?

The average height of a blue heeler is 17 to 20 inches and can weigh anywhere from 25 to 50 pounds, with females slightly smaller. The Blue heeler has a life expectancy of 10 and 13 years.

Do Blue Heelers make good pets?

What kind of dog is a blue heeler?

The blue heeler is a type of Australian cattle dog. He is intelligent, loyal and protective. The breed derives from the Australian dingo, which was bred with smooth-coated blue-merle collies. The resulting dog was bred with black and tan kelpies and dalmatians to produce blue heeler dogs.