(Why Blue Heeler Has Been called Australian Cattle Dog Breed?)
Why Blue Heeler has been called Australian Cattle Dog? Because, historically this dog breed serve duty on forms as well as this dog breed is dedicated, clever, and loyal In a nutshell. These dogs were bred to serve as herding dogs on farms in the past, and they still thrive when they have a task to accomplish. Their unwavering commitment makes them even better employees. You may put them to work even if you don’t work on a farm. They like solving puzzles and locating toys.
Blue Heelers are known as “shadow dogs” because they are extremely loyal to their owners when they are not working. They develop a strong attachment to their owner and despise being parted from them. This is an exceptionally active breed that will gladly join you on your next run or hike.
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Blue Heeler History:
During the nineteenth century, Australian settlers developed the Blue Heeler to herd cattle. The breed is widely recognised for assisting ranchers in expanding the Australian beef sector effectively.
Ranchers produced a sturdy and powerful canine that could survive Australia’s tough environment after numerous breedings and cross-breedings. Dogs transported to Australia from England were crossed with native Australian Dingos to produce the Blue Heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog, that we know today.
The American Kennel Club recognised the Australian Cattle Dog for registration in May 1980. In September of same year, the breed became eligible for exhibition in the Working Group, and in 1983, it was moved to the Herding Group.
Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) Personality:
| Affection Level | High |
| Friendliness | High |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Energy Level | High |
| Train-ability | High |
| Intelligibly | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
| Protectiveness | High |
How to Care:
A Blue Heeler’s life revolves around exercise. To keep content, the breed need continuous physical and mental stimulation due to its industrious ancestry. Puzzle toys and retrieve games are fantastic pastimes for Blue Heelers since they like working.
Blue Heelers dislike being left alone for lengthy periods of time, especially in tight settings, so take your buddy for a walk, hike, or swim with you.
If a Blue Heeler’s energy isn’t channelled, it might get bored and destructive, chewing on shoes or furniture. This breed prefers to live in homes with a fenced yard or a secure property where they may run around.
Everything and anything that moves, even children and other pets, will be herded by the Blue Heeler. As a result, early socialisation and training are required for Blue Heelers to recognise which actions are inappropriate. If they are not properly trained, they may nip at running children or play rough with other animals.
Because of their two-layered coat, they shed a lot, especially in the spring when they lose their winter coats. Brushing your Blue Heeler often, sometimes many times a day, is critical at this period to remove dead hair.
Blue Heelers are low-maintenance dogs; simply bathe them as needed, cut their nails, brush their teeth, and clean their ears on a regular basis to keep them healthy.
Common Health Issues:
Blue Heelers are athletic and strong dogs. As a result, their ligaments and joints may experience some wear and strain. Tearing of the dog’s cruciate ligament is always a problem, and for puppies with a long life of running ahead of them, it should be surgically treated.
- Blue Heelers can get canine hip dysplasia as well, although it usually does not become symptomatic until later in life. Hobbling, avoiding physical exertion, and stiffness are common symptoms, especially after a full night’s sleep.
- Progressive retinal atrophy, an eye disorder characterised by retinal degeneration and reduced vision, is a somewhat frequent ailment in Blue Heelers. Keep an eye on your Blue Heeler’s night vision and dilated pupils. Although this illness is painless, it has the potential to cause blindness.
- Deafness is a risk for Blue Heelers. A lack of reactivity to sound, jumpiness, and strange barking fits are all signs of deafness.
Food and Nutrition:
Blue Heelers require a lot of nourishment to replace their fatigued muscles and vitamins to enhance their sharp minds due to their high activity level. This need a well-balanced diet.
Because pups have different demands than adult dogs, the sort of food you feed your Heeler should change based on its life stage.
Dry kibble is an excellent option for developing dogs that require something firm to keep their teeth and gums clean. A dog’s digestive system is powerful enough to break down meals with coarser textures at an early age. You may find it advantageous to move them to a canned food diet as they become older, or to soak their kibbles before giving them, as both of these methods are gentler on a dog’s digestive tract.
First and foremost, energetic dogs such as Blue Heelers require a substantial amount of protein. This should be the first ingredient on any dog food you purchase for your pet. Protein-rich foods include salmon, steak, and chicken. Whole grains and vegetables are also essential, and should be mentioned as the second or third item in your dog’s meal. This will guarantee that your puppy receives adequate nutrients.
Supplements may be beneficial to Blue Heelers; if you can’t locate food containing them, consider purchasing the supplement in pill or liquid form to add to your dog’s diet. Glucosamine is a fantastic one to check for if you want to keep your joints healthy.