A healthy Blue Heeler can live as long as 15 years. Bathing should only be done when necessary, ears should regularly be cleaned to prevent the buildup of wax, and the nails should be trimmed every month. questions: The Australian Shepherd Blue Heeler mix is half Australian shepherd and half Australian cattle dog (also known as the blue heeler). answer to the question Are blue heelers and australian shepherds the same? often ask the following Given the choice between the two I would take an Aussie, but a herding mutt/farm collie is I think the most stable and healthy active herding breed of the bunch. Only big difference I can think of is grooming - ACDs are short-haired so if you want your stuff to be slightly less covered in dog hair, I'd go with that option. Why do australian shepherds have blue eyes? If you are not set in getting a purebred, then take a visit to a shelter. We've handpicked 26 related questions for you, similar to Are blue heelers and australian shepherds the same? so you can surely find the answer! Both dogs have merle coats, which increases their chance of being born with different eye colors that give them distinct from other dogs. The Australian Shepherd has a longer coat compared to the Cattle dog, which means he will require more grooming. They are loving, gentle, yet can also be fun and entertaining. I've been at horsebarns with people who have had cattledogs and they've always been very well trained and very loyal to their owners. Because aussies are so pretty and come in interesting colors they've been bred a lot more by "pet" people and pet or conformation line dogs will be MUCH more friendly and outgoing and not as intense as a working-bred aussie or a cattledog. Both dogs are brainy and are always top of the class, but the Cattle dog is one of the brightest canines out there. Can female australian shepherds have blue eyes? Predominantly white Aussies are almost always the result of merle-to-merle breeding. This Australian shepherd food is excellent as it will boost your pets immune system and keep him healthy. Maltipoo Vs Cavapoo Differences Which One Is Better? Some say that the latter is more suited to a family home, while the former is best suited as a guard dog. Aussies use the nip in herding just like cattle dogs do. Aussiedoodle Vs Labradoodle Which One Is Better? Their hair is also a little longer. Both are working dogs and would require a high activity level. The Aussie Shepherd has a naturally docked tail, while the Cattle dog has a fox-like tail, though in some cases it can also be born with a docked tail. Both dogs have an average life span of 12 years, although the Australian Shepherd can live up to 15 years, while the Cattle dog is a bit longer at 16 years. Although intelligent, the Cattle dog might be harder to train than the Australian Shepherd because they tend to be stubborn. However, just like every other dog, they may still be susceptible to certain health conditions. The breed was first known as the Australian Heeler, then later as the Australian Cattle Dog, which is the name now accepted as official throughout Australia and elsewhere. In general, however, black Aussies (self, bi-color, or tri-color) tend to have brown eyes, while red (self, bi-color, or tri-color) Aussies tend to have amber eyes, though these Aussies may also carry the blue-eyed gene. The best way to answer your question would be to know a little more about what is drawing you to the two breeds. The Australian Shepherd is one of a few dog breeds that commonly have two different colored eyes, called heterochromia. On the other hand, the Cattle dog stands between 17 to 20 inches (43.1 to 50.8cm). A working aussie is a totally different creature and I've heard people argue should be a different breed! What are some longterm advantages/disadvantages of these breeds? The Australian Shepherd is bigger than the Cattle dog, measuring 18 to 23 inches (45.7 to 58.4 cm). Can you breed two blue merle australian shepherds? Are australian shepherds and cattle dogs the same? I've heard that border collies live to work, aussies live to work FOR YOU and I'm not sure about heelers :). I agree with what others have said that heelers tend to be mouthy and can be a handful due to that. Both dogs are moderate shedders. As they are herding breed dogs, not all dogs from that group are huge dog-dog personalities so be prepared to work with that limitation in terms of exercise if going to the dog park is not an option. The average pricing of a standard-colored Australian Shepherd from a trustworthy breeder is between $750 to $1,000. Expect that there are no boring days around them. Press J to jump to the feed. Both breeds are fairly healthy, but due to the certain "breeders" breeding more for looks or size (more so with aussie sheps) there are getting to be more with health issues, so make sure if you get one from a breeder, it is a reputable breeder who does health/genetic testing and knows about genetic issues that are somewhat breed specific (double merles or NBT). Not all Australian shepherds have blue eyes: they can also be green, amber, hazel or brown, or two different colors. /r/dogs is a place for dog owners of all levels of knowledge, skill, and experience to discuss all topics related to dogs. They absolutely need to play every day, not that the Shepards don't. Why are australian dogs called blue heelers? You have entered an incorrect email address! Generally, they're also good with children. Answered by Pinkie Hand on Sat, Jan 16, 2021 3:06 PM, Top best answers to They are loyal to their owners and are full of personality and love. It is also lighter in weight, averaging from 35 to 50 lbs (15.8 to 22.6 kg). Video answer: Blue heeler vs australian shepherd | australian cattle dog vs australian shepherd. questions, Video answer: Blue heeler/australian cattle dog: mountain man's best friend. Both breeds tend to be alert, protective dogs. Are australian cattle dogs the same size as australian shepherds? A good hunting dog is either well trained or natural hunter, heelers aren't natural hunters. A working aussie has a ton of drive and energy and will have much more of a protection instinct and may never be the run-up-and-kiss-strangers type, much more like a cattledog. On the other hand, the Australian Cattle dog may experience progressive retinal atrophy, hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, and osteochondritis dissecans. If properly trained and socialized, both dogs make excellent family companions. Are american shepherds and australian shepherds the same? They are loyal to their owners and are full of personality and love. Australian Cattle Dogs make great pets if you can to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they require to stay healthy and happy. If they are properly socialized and well-trained, they would also enjoy a good walk, or jog at the park. This may be due to the fact that the Cattle dog has a strong herding ability, and would prefer guarding the house rather than staying indoors. Though they're extremely loyal to their family, they can be a bit wary of strangers. It has either brown or black hair distributed fairly evenly through a white coat, which gives the appearance of a "red" or "blue" dog. Aussie shepherd, but then I'm a little biased. Here is a pic of my dogs from a couple years ago. If you keep either of them as a family pet, make sure that they are given enough time and place to release their energies, otherwise, they will develop destructive behaviors. Being an ASCA member, however, and being around hundreds of aussies at competitions and events they can be incredibly physically affectionate to their people. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. the Can you breed 2 blue merle australian shepherds? They shed throughout the year but will shed heavily twice during the shedding season. Don't think you can "train the herd out of the herding dog" but rather you want to redirect to appropriate behaviour. Or maybe look for a mix of one or both of these breeds from a shelter/rescue group. question Are blue heelers and australian shepherds the same, FAQ. It doesnt make him a poor family pet. Those who are looking I need a reason to decide on only one of these guys rather than both! Both my aussies have been very protective around strangers, my 1st more than my 2nd. Heelers are more likely to bite and have more issues with dog/stranger aggression. I have two ACDs and love them to death. Because the dogs can be a handful there are quite a few of them in shelters. However, their herding instinct gives them the tendency to herd small animals and toddlers. Aussies can be quite the wiggly in your face dogs. Brush him at least twice weekly to make sure that his coat is a mat- and tangle-free. This breed is very loyal to its owners. They are just a little bigger than the cattledogs and they don't have tails(usually). They need a large space to guard their territories. That said, both dogs are not for the novice and first-time owners. However, their intelligence would mean that they need intensive training. Both breeds are going to be fairly high energy as most herding breeds tend to be. Its weight ranges from 40 to 65 lbs (18.1 to 29.4 kg). Wariness of strangers is another thing. But on the same note it can be a challenge to keep up with their happy go lucky and they definitely need to understand manners (such as sitting instead of punching your guests in the face with their nose). They have a ton of energy and love to play and run. The Australian Shepherd also weighs significantly more, between 40 and 65 pounds, whereas the Cattle dog weighs 35 to 50 pounds. Some do not enjoy interacting with strange dogs and can be confrontational about it. Is blue buffalo dog food good for australian shepherds. My dog is very independent and strong-willed, and I've heard similar stories from owners of full blooded heelers. If not, they may get bored and even outsmart you. She's not like a golden retriever; she doesn't crave or seek out my attention most of the time and praise is not enough of a reward for most things (but food works very well). Aside from this, there are still other things you would want to consider if you are currently deciding which of them to own. They are fun smart. There may be differences that will distinguish one from the other, but regardless of your choice, both dogs will reward you with love and affection so long as you provide for their needs. Goldendoodle Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts. I know little about aussie shepherds, but I have heard they are more outgoing and become more attached to their owners. Proper training can lessen this trait, but it wont entirely remove their tendency to herd. Compared to the Australian Shepherd, they are also more aloof and wary with strangers, thus making them great guard dogs. In fact, they would love to sleep outdoors during warmer seasons. Are australian shepherds and australian cattle dogs the same? Do Blue Heelers Make Good Family Pets? They do not mean to hurt anyone, they are just so quick. I believe both are pretty equally nippy, it's not like they just go around biting people but they do need training to control themselves. Easily trained, they need a firm hand controlling them so that they don't bond with another dominant dog in the neighborhood Also, they can have issues with dogs they don't know very well. In some cases, the dog may appear bigger or smaller than the average size depending on his activity and diet. The up side is they are one of the brightest breeds around and easily trained. Are border collies the same as australian shepherds? Some are suspicious and not welcoming of strangers, it's a trait I see often in the herding group. On the other hand, Australian Shepherds can live in apartments, so long as their daily exercise needs are met. Shepards are a little more laid back but can be just as active if you get the right one. The Australian Shepherd may suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases, epilepsy, tumors, cancer, heart disease, deafness, and autoimmune diseases. Why are australian cattle dogs called blue heelers? What draws you to these breeds individually? Rather, they are best suited for experienced owners who can provide them with consistent yet gentle training that they need. I can't decide which would be the better fit for me so I decided to ask you all for a little input. Its very sad. Australian Cattle Dogs make great pets if you can to give them the exercise and mental stimulation they require to stay healthy and happy. If you haven't lived with a herding breed dog before, this might be more than you're used to or expecting. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, Screaming post hugger & chocolatey goodness, Here is a pic of my dogs from a couple years ago. Blue heelers are a very faithful and doting dog for their masters. Are australian shepherds and border collies the same? Blue eyes are not confined to merles; there is a recessive gene in the breed that produces blue or split Blue eyes in solid colored dogs as well. German Shepherd Vs Belgian Malinois Differences Which One Is Better? Heelers are much more high octane(we have 3 right now). If you are unsure, it is best to make a visit to your veterinarian. Both have variation within the breed but consider them high drive/ high energy. for The main differences between the to breeds are: The Australian Shepherd is a little heavier and more robust than the Border Collie, despite the fact they are around the same height at the withers. They often have two different colored eyes. German Shorthaired Pointer Vs Weimaraner Differences Which One Is Better? Those who are looking for an answer to the question Are blue heelers and australian shepherds the same? often ask the following If you don't want to produce homozygous merles in your litters, it's easy to avoid doing so: Don't breed two merles together. As far as outdoor space, I do not have a fenced in yard, but they would get plenty of outdoor exercise. No. So, if you are looking for unique dry food for your dog that supports healthy oxidative balance, life stage requirements and immune system health, the Blue Buffalo is a perfect choice. These are high-energy, clever and active dogs. Dont worry, well discuss them in this article. Do Blue Heelers Make Good Family Pets? These homozygous (meaning "two like genes") merles have inherited the merle color gene from both parents. However, the breeds come with different origin, temperament, talents, training challenges and characteristics. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts, 12 Surprising Facts About Catahoula Leopard Dog, Kangal Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts, Xoloitzcuintli Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts, Cocker Spaniel Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts, Papillon Dog Ultimate Guide: Pictures, Characteristics, & Facts. I've noticed there is a big difference in aussies depending on the line you get them from. To someone unfamiliar with the two breeds of dogs they might look nearly identical, distinguished only by Aussies having a docked tail and Border Collies having a long natural tail. Just have to have an hour or so a day to exercise/play with them. They like to herd using their teeth, and unchecked will herd things you don't necessarily want them to. I use mild corrections when training her because positive only just does not work for such headstrong dogs. The Cattle dog, on the other hand, has a shorter and thinner coat. Keep in mind that if they dont receive the physical exercise and mental stimulation that they need, they may develop undesirable behavior. 2 Shepards and 2 cattledogs. Not content with sitting around the house for hours on end, These pets will encourage you to take them outside for exercise, play and work. The Australian Shepherd and the Cattle dog both require the same amount of exercise. However, some people still call them Blue Heelers or Queensland Heelers The breed was transferred to the Herding Group in January 1983. Also, Cattle dogs are less tolerant of loud noises, such as childrens yell. Do all australian shepherds have blue eyes? Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Both breeds herd. You need to be prepared to work with that. They do seem very aloof to anyone else and never what I would call "snuggly" or physically affectionate but this is only a small sample and may not be representative of the breed.