Are Blue Heelers Friendly Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

Are Blue Heelers considered aggressive?

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.”

Are Blue Heelers aggressive with other dogs?

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

.

Are ACD good with kids?

The Australian Cattle Dog is good family dog, but

he does best with children if he’s raised with them and accepts them early on as members of his household

. In such cases, he’s very playful and protective. The breed’s tendency to be mouthy — even to nip and bite — can be a problem with kids, however.

Do Blue Heelers bark a lot?


They don’t bark too much

, but they are still very protective of the home. These dogs can be cautious and wary — qualities that make them excellent guard dogs.

What is the best farm dog?

  • Border Collie. One of the most popular farm dogs, border collies have a strong work ethic and are the ultimate herding dog. …
  • Standard Schnauzer. …
  • German Shepherd. …
  • Great Pyrenees.

Are Blue Heelers biters?


Nipping and biting are fairly common practices for Australian blue heelers

. They are herding dogs, which means they nip and bite the flanks of other animals to “herd” them in a particular direction. Even so, you can’t have a dog who nips and bites people, so there are things your family can do to limit this behavior.

Do Blue Heelers ever 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.

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.

Why does my blue heeler bite me?

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. Try throwing a ball for him as you walk.

How big will a Labraheeler get?


Height (Male)


17 to 24.5 inches tall
Weight (male) 35 to 80 lbs., full-grown Weight (female) 35 to 80 lbs., full-grown

What are Blue Heelers known for?

The blue heeler is known as

hard-working, intelligent, and loyal to its owner

. Historically, these dogs were bred to work on farms as herders, and they still thrive when they have a job to do. Their fierce loyalty makes them even better workers.

Are Blue Heelers smart?

Blue Heelers, also known as the Australian Cattle dog, is

the 10th smartest dog breed for obedience & working intelligence

. Not only are they extremely quick at learning commands, but they also have superb instinctive intelligence as they’re arguably the best cattle-herding dog.

Are Blue Heelers hard to potty train?

The answer, however, is not as straightforward as one might think.

Blue Heelers are notorious for being hard to potty train

, but this does not mean they cannot be successfully house trained. It simply means that cattle dogs will take more effort and patience on the owner’s part when it comes to potty training.

Do Blue Heelers like to swim?


YES! Australian Cattle Dogs are GREAT swimmers

. They love the water and they love to swim!

What is the least trainable dog?

  • #2 – Chow Chow. Chow Chows are said to have very cat-like personalities. …
  • #3 – Basenji. Like the Chow Chow, the Basenji has a very cat-like personality. …
  • #4 – Bulldog. …
  • #5 – Bloodhound. …
  • #6 – Pekingese. …
  • #7 – Dachshund. …
  • #9 – Borzoi.

Do heelers shed?

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. But with some preparation and care, the shedding can be minimized.

How much is a Blue Heeler?

How Much is a Blue Heeler Puppy? A pet quality Blue Heeler puppy from a reputable breeder will average about

$500 to $525

. Puppies bought for breeding or “show quality” can cost quite a bit more. These prices range from a low of $1,800 up to over $5,000.

What dog has a stronger bite?

  • Mastiff – 552 pounds. The Mastiff takes the crown with a reported bite force of 552 pounds. …
  • Rottweiler – 328 pounds. Rotties are known for being fierce and strong dogs. …
  • American Bulldog – 305 pounds. …
  • German Shepherd – 238 pounds. …
  • Pitbull – 235 pounds.

What is the smartest breed of dog?

  • Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man. …
  • Poodle. …
  • German shepherd. …
  • Golden retriever. …
  • Doberman pinscher. …
  • Shetland sheepdog. …
  • Labrador retriever. …
  • Papillon.

What is a good outside family dog?

  • #1 Siberian Husky. The Siberian Husky is one puptastic breed which relishes life outdoors. …
  • #2 American Foxhound. …
  • #4 Irish Wolfhound. …
  • #5 Norwegian Elkhound. …
  • #6 Mastiff. …
  • #7 Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. …
  • #8 Rottweiler. …
  • #9 Beagle.

How do I stop my heeler from biting?

How do I stop my blue heeler from jumping?

  1. Turn away from him, fold your arms and give the command “Off.”
  2. Your pup will try to follow you around. Keep turning away and saying “Off” until he stops jumping. Praise him and (if he knows how) ask him to sit. If he obeys, reach down to pet and praise him. Keep your praise calm.

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).

Are Blue Heelers hypoallergenic? No

Are heelers reactive?

Australian cattle dogs (also known as red or blue heelers) are

notorious for being “reactive” to other dogs or people

. As a protective herding breed, cattle dogs are highly attentive to everything around them.

How much exercise does a Blue Heeler puppy need?

They need

over 2 hours of exercise per day

and are suited to people who work outdoors or from home. As well as their daily exercise, they need lots of mental stimulation to keep them entertained.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.