Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Australian Cattle Dogs and Puppies

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The Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) is also commonly known as the Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler and Blue Heeler. The ACD was developed in Australia as a herding dog to control cattle. The dog is considered a medium size with good overall intelligence, high energy and an independent demeanor.

By: admin Posted: August 24, 2007

Blue Heeler, Australian Cattle Puppies Picture

Appearance

General appearance

The Australian Cattle Dog should be athletic, muscular and healthy in appearance. It should not have a cumbersome build and there should be no traces of fragility and weakness. Balance of the dog is also very important in herding and even as a companion dog, it should have hard muscles and be well conditioned.

Coat and colour

The Australian Cattle Dog's coat is in two basic colors which are red and blue, however a variety of markings can be seen on the dog. Australian Cattle Dog puppies are born all white, with the exception of any markings. The dogs grow darker with maturity similar to dalmatians. More commonly, these dogs are blue with ginger spots on face, underpart and legs.

Australian Cattle Dog Quick Facts

Weight: 12-18 kg 25-50 lbs
Height: 43-51 cm 17-20 inches
Coat: Short, straight
Group: herding
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Independent, intelligent
Guard dog ability: High
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 4-8
Life span: median ~12 years
Country of Origin: Australia

Size

A female Australian Cattle Dog should measure about 17 to 19 inches (43 to 48 cm) at the withers. A male Australian Cattle Dog should measure about 18 to 20 inches (46 to 51 cm) at the withers. An Australian Cattle Dog is a well-muscled, compact dog with a dense coat of coarse, rather oily hair with a slight ruff and fine, almost woolly, winter undercoat. It has a naturally long tail, generally carried low, with a slight white tip. An Australian Cattle Dog in good condition should weigh roughly 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23 kg).

Temperament

Similar to many herding type dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs have an extremely high capacity for energy and have very active minds. These dogs need ample exercise and a good activity driven job to do. For example, these dogs take great joy in learning tricks, participating in dog sports and other activities where they can use their minds. Some dog owners find these dogs very frustrating to train, however repetitive training is necessary. Heelers that do not have sufficient exercise will engage in destructive behavior. These dogs are innately very cautious and that increases with age. For this reason they make excellent guard dogs as they are very wary of any stranger. Cattle dogs will herd many type of animals.

The Heeler is a very friendly dog to other animals that the dog is familiar with and works very well with other Cattle Dogs, Border Collies and Kelpies. It is very important that the owner of a Heeler let the dog know who is charge, or a Cattle Dog might be much more stubborn in later age.

8 Comments

1 year 40 weeks ago, 12:37 AM

KumarsWindow

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Sergeant Major of the Army

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Join Date:

Jun 2008

ACD Rule!

I have 1 Australian Cattle Dog.. Hes mostly White with a few faded Black Spots on his back and a brown Merle Patch on his right ear and eye and on his left ear. My Kumar is a very Special ACD... having been born Blind and either being born deaf or becoming deaf later on (havnt determined which yet) and having several Seizures every month... hes what breeders call a Double Merle, its not a good thing but it happens.. My Kumar was most likely produced by a Puppy Mill (with PA being the capital of that sort of thing.. im smack-dab in the middle). I got my ACD from the Shelter I work at, hes estimated to be 5 yrs old (give or take) and in perfect condition (besides the Seizures)... he came in as a Stray with a collar on, really dirty and ready to be put down.. till I stepped in, I couldnt allow this perfect special dog to end that way so I took him.. the Shelter actually gave him to me for free.. but I would have taken him anyway price or no price!!
Anyway hes an awsome dog, hes the first ACD ive ever had and hes a wonderful dog!!! He loves Mirrors and Windows (hence "KumarsWindow") even though he cant see... he loves to cuddle with me and hog the bed, He loves the outdoors and he absolutely loves his dog treats!!!
Australian Cattle Dogs Rulle!!!!

35 weeks 1 day ago, 1:40 AM

KingCg

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Brigadier General

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Jul 2009

Nice pictures, I want a good

Nice pictures, I want a good guard but also friendly.

34 weeks 4 days ago, 7:20 AM

amican

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Corporal

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Jul 2009

hi all, i have 3 red heelers ,i brred them and my question that i put to you is.... where and with whom can i reg. them . i have emailed breeders but they dont reply. see ive been told that 2 of my dogs have a champaion grand mother. but i have no idea how to find the info out as i dont know her name .... can any one help PLEASE!!

28 weeks 4 days ago, 4:55 AM

mj

Rank:

Secretary of Homeland Security

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394

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Jun 2009

i think u need 2 find the

i think u need 2 find the grandmothers name... if u can..

dog lover :)

17 weeks 5 days ago, 3:12 AM

Shadowlove

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Colonel

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Nov 2009

Mines a mix lol but love him :)

Mine is a mix between a german shepherd and a blue heeler and hes great with everyone. especially with small kids. Hes extremly smart for his age, loving and protective of myself and my kids. He doesnt worry to much about protecting my husband tho lol.

The love of a pet cant be measured by any means

17 weeks 4 days ago, 11:18 PM

mj

Rank:

Secretary of Homeland Security

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394

Join Date:

Jun 2009

protecting this young can be

protecting this young can be a very bad thing in a dog.

dog lover :)

17 weeks 2 hours ago, 2:15 PM

Shadowlove

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Colonel

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Join Date:

Nov 2009

Hes only protective when

Hes only protective when an unknown person is around. Once he knows the person is ok with me than he plays with whoever it is that is around me and my kids. I am getting ready to start him in obediance training to try and curve some of his protective nature into a more human friendly state if you will :)

The love of a pet cant be measured by any means

16 weeks 6 days ago, 3:36 PM

roneyNracheal

Rank:

Master Sergeant

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Join Date:

Nov 2009

I FOUND YOU!

i've been looking online forever for help with my heeler! when i finally found you i subscribed to this site and then it took me hours to find you again! NOW i can get your help. i hope! my heeler is pregnant with a black lab pitbull mix how long will she carry her puppies? and uhm... sorry to ask this but i dont know who else to ask.. how come her vag. is REALLY swollen? please help me i'm so lost! my email is roney301@hotmail.com. i would greatly appreciate your help! and fast if possible
thank you

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Details of Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Australian Cattle Dogs and Puppies

Common Nicknames: Australian Heeler, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Bluey, ACD, Cattledog