Are Blue Heelers a good family dog
Australian Cattle Dogs, also known as Red or Blue Heelers can be an excellent family pet for the right family. The Blue Heeler is an active high energy working breed, intelligence, loyal, and protective.
A Blue Heeler is best suited for an active family that is able to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they need. For a guide to Blue Heeler exercise see here. Training and socialization are crucial for a Blue Heeler. They are generally good with children and are best suited to older children over 10 years old. However, if raised with children from a puppy they are also suitable for younger children.
Why You Should Get a Family Dog
Getting a family dog is probably the single best thing that you can do for your kids. A child playing with a dog is not only a heart-melting scene. It is also very beneficial when it comes to your children’s upbringing.
You will experience pure bliss by merely watching your kids taking care of their canine pals. They will also learn how to be responsible and compassionate human beings. We all well know that children learn by impersonating. Seeing you interact with the dog will surely inspire them to adopt the best manners while growing up.
Your children will have the opportunity to learn how to treat animals and acquire social-emotional skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Before you pick out the perfect canine friend for your household, take some time for thorough research. Adopting a dog is a life-long project for all the members of the family. You also want to make sure that your family pet gets along with other dogs, as well as people.
That being said, one of the best breeds for an active family goes is the Australian Cattle Dog; better known as the Blue Heeler. This gorgeous breed was highly appreciated for its work ethic and widely used for cattle-droving in the past.
History and Background
Blue Heelers are a mix of Collies known for their loyalty and compassion towards humans, and the iconic Australian wild Dingo. For more on the origins and history of the Australian Cattle Dog see here.
Renowned for their both gregarious and protective nature, Blue Heelers were extremely popular and appreciated for their hard work and diligence amongst ranchers.
An owner’s job is to ensure these wonderful dogs get the proper stimulation that kept them in good health and shape. Blue Heelers are well known for being very social, displaying a playful nature, along with a sense of protection when needed.
It is also interesting to mention that they rarely bark due to their Dingo influence, and tend to stay silent. This can be a good thing for your neighbors. Blue Heelers were originally entrusted with the task of cattle-droving. Today the Australian Cattle Dogs are loving pets, known for forming strong attachment bonds with the owners.
How to Train a Blue Heeler
Training your Blue Heeler is crucial and can be a fun activity for both you and the dog if you follow certain steps. First of all, make sure you are keeping your dog occupied. Boredom is one of the main causes of dog behavior problems.
As they require a busy lifestyle, you will have plenty of opportunities to train your pet. This gives you more chances to set boundaries through a well-built system of structured activities. Whether is it endurance training or a fun playdate with the kids in the park, this herding dog will become an obedient member of your family in no time.
If you adopt a puppy, you will not only make your kids ecstatically happy with the sweet little ball of fur. It will also make your job much easier since puppies are easier to train. The best thing you can do is to start creating boundaries once they are really small.
It may not be easy to say no to those adorable little creatures, but they need to know that you are the boss in the house. Blue Heeler puppies are very smart. If you don’t set the right example, they will run to someone else in search of a dominant figure.
Once they grow up, Blue Heelers act like faithful guardians who persist in doing their job protecting the family. They make excellent guard dogs. For more on Blue Heelers as guard dogs see here.
It is important with a Blue Heeler to create a firm sense of structure and boundaries. This will make a world of difference once they grow bigger and become an inseparable part of your family life.
Are Blue Heelers good with kids
Just like all dogs, they can become anxious around toddlers. Ideally, Blue Heelers should be trained and socialized from the very beginning.
Since they love to stay active and play, kids will find them very interesting and fun. In return, they will flourish doing what they were made to do – play and protect. You should be involved when your kids bring in their friends for the first time. Blue Heelers are always on the watch out for any potential danger.
For more about Blue Heelers and children see here.
In the worst cases, you will see them reacting defensively, which tends to scare the people. It might be a good idea not to get them involved when other children come if you are unsure. These dogs will remain by your side forever if you spend enough time with them.
As a reward for all the time and love you invested, you might hear your kids in the future saying the Blue Heeler was their best friend.
Health & Care
Nowadays, vets have access to the best equipment in the world that helps you monitor the health of your canine pal. Blue Heelers are prone to eye infections, that in the worst-case scenarios can lead to blindness.
Thankfully some tests can predict these things. You can help your dog live a long and healthy life by relying on a good, professional breeder. Regular screening and check-ups, as well as keeping your pet very active and in a good shape will ensure they live a long life.
According to Guinness World Records, one Blue Heeler named “Bluey” was officially declared the oldest dog in the world! The average life expectancy for a Blue Heeler is about twelve to sixteen years of age, depending on the food quality, active lifestyle, vaccinations, veterinary care, and, most importantly the genes.
That is why you want to make sure that you are adopting a puppy from a good breeder, following up with the necessary testings and certificates. It is always a good idea to ask all the right questions before seeing the dog and helplessly falling in love at the very first sight.
Are Blue Heelers aggressive
If you have researched the Blue Heelers, you have surely come across the term aggressive. To say Blue Heelers are aggressive is not accurate. They are naturally suspicious of strangers and protective of their family. They also have a strong herding drive which can tend to make them want to control and herd people and other animals. For more on Blue Heelers being aggressive see here.
Every dog is an individual and some Blue Heelers can be aggressive as is true of any breed of dog. All of the dog lovers out there will agree with me when I say that aggressive dogs are not simply born, they are rather traumatized and mistreated by someone. Both humans and dogs tend to react impulsively when facing old triggers or situations that would set anyone off.
So, as a responsible dog owner, your job is to provide the correct training and socialization for your pet. If you take good care of a Blue Heeler, they will reward you with unconditional love. They will also play with toys, become your kids’ best friends and favorite play buddies, as well as faithful companions on numerous adventures.
The Perfect Pet for active families
What makes the Blue Heelers the most suitable play buddies at your home is their high level of energy. If you can sit in front of the TV for hours and don’t like being active we don’t recommend you getting a Blue Heeler.
To get the best out of this beautiful breed, then you ought to take them out more often, letting them unleash their playful nature. If you too are a sporty type, then you will appreciate Blue Heelers for their energetic personality and faithful companionship.
You can rest assured that the Blue Heelers will follow you on all your sports endeavors. Bear in mind that these intelligent creatures won’t do well in apartments.
If you provide them with a stimulating living environment, you will find it easier to train them and keep their curious nature under control. For more on mental stimulation and enrichment for Blue Heelers see here.
Your kids will also love taking care of their furry friends since they don’t require extensive grooming. Blue Heelers don’t need to wash them that often as their coat is fairly resistant to dirt. They are a double-coated breed so they will shed coat. Brushing now and then should keep their coat neat and tidy for a long time. For more on Blue Heeler shedding see here.
These dogs live to express their loyalty and please their masters. By providing them with proper living conditions, good training and a lot of love will lead to a happy family dog. In return, they will bring so much joy into your life.