If you’ve ever seen the Australian Cattle Dog and the Blue Heeler together, you must have noticed that they look quite similar.
So, if you’re wondering about the differences between a blue heeler vs Australian cattle dog, we’re here to help you with the quandary.
The Australian Cattle and Blue Heeler are the same breeds of dogs. The only difference is their body color. The blue heeler, as you might have guessed, is blue in color and the Australian cattle has red fur.
Let’s take a close look at the two dog breeds and how you can tell them apart.
Australian Cattle Dog vs Blue Heeler. Are They The Same?
People frequently ask us what differentiates the Blue Heeler from the Australian Cattle dog because they have a similar appearance.
The majority of people are surprised to learn that they are both members of the same breed and that the blue Heeler is really an Australian Cattle Dog in a different color.
Some History of the Australian Cattle Dog
British cattle herders who immigrated to Australia in the 1800s discovered that their Smithfield dogs couldn’t withstand the harsh Outback climate.
The Smithfields were well suited to the chilly conditions of the British Isles because of their thick, heavy coats.
Nevertheless, the Outback couldn’t handle its built-in insulation. The now-extinct dogs also used to bark excessively and bite with excessive ferocity, making them unsuitable for working with cattle.
To find the ideal herding dog for the Outback, the cattlemen started testing with a variety of dog breeds.
Most of the early attempts to add the Smithfield into the dog breed mix failed because it always produced an aggressive dog. They tried breeding the dingo, which was a dog native to the Outback, to produce the ideal dog for working there.
The cattlemen produced a dog known as “Hall’s heelers” by crossing a dingo with a blue smooth Highland collie. This dog was a better improvement than the Smithfield dogs.
The breed was further developed by cattlemen who introduced the bull terrier, which gave the dog a determined disposition, and the dalmatian, which produced a dog that was more friendly and devoted to his owners.
The black and tan kelpie, which improved the dog’s working capacity, gave the missing piece of the Australian cattle dog puzzle.
SEE ALSO: Blue Heeler Barking: Why Your Dog Barks and What You Can Do About It
Why Are Australian Cattle Dogs Called Blue Heelers?
The Australian Cattle dogs are known to be friendly as well as aggressive dog breeds, and it served them well while working in the cattle industry.
They were great at driving cattle around their grazing areas by nipping at the heels of the cattle. This resulted in the name ‘heeler’. The word blue heeler comes from the fact that some of these dogs have a blue fur coat.
These cute little dogs in your home, they’ll retain the nipping behavior by nipping at your ankles to get your attention.
Characteristics of Australian Cattle Dog and Blue Heeler
If you’re thinking about adopting an Australian Cattle puppy, you should know what you’re dealing with to take care of them properly. Here are some of the characteristics that will help you look after your red and blue heelers.
Australian Cattle Dog
Personality
The Australian Cattle dog is a powerful canine with a strong work ethic that was well-liked by cowboys in the American West because of its exceptional sheep-herding skills.
It has a high level of intelligence and can assist with sporting events and game hunting.
These dogs enjoy spending time with family members and handle roughhousing by kids better than many other breeds. The Australian Cattle Dog typically sits at your feet and waits patiently for attention when it’s not playing with your kids.
Training
The ideal way to train your Australian Cattle Dog is to have brief training sessions every day at the same time so that it develops a habit when learning is expected.
You should make it enjoyable so your dog looks forward to it, and have some treats on hand to give your pet as a reward.
Appearance
The Australian Cattle Dog appears to be a very strong and athletic dog, despite its small size. The male is about 18–20 inches long while the female is about 17–19 inches. This breed’s weight should range between 40 and 55 pounds.
Blue Heeler
Exercise
The Blue Heeler is an athletic herd dog, so if you don’t live on a farm where it can be kept busy, it will need a lot of activity every day.
We advise blocking out at least 45 minutes per day to help your dog burn off excess energy and calories and maintain a healthy weight.
We suggest engaging your pet in high-intensity activities like swimming and catching so that you don’t have to spend as much time with them.
If you have kids in the house, you can leave all the little munchkins to play together. This will provide enough exercise for your furry pet.
RELATED: Why Does Your Blue Heeler Follow You Everywhere? Here are the Top 10 Reasons!
Blue Heeler Colors
The Australian Cattle Dog is not the only variety of breed. The coat color that earned the breed the name “Blue Heeler” is caused by a dominant, recessive gene.
Another variety is the Red Heeler, which has a gene that makes it appear red rather than blue.
Australian Cattle Dogs are totally white when they are born. The only dark features are the eyes, ears, and occasionally the tail.
A blue heeler is born with a few black spots on it. When the puppy is about 4 weeks old, the bentley mark on the heelers will eventually start to merge with the black hair.
As the puppy gets older, the black spots impact the blue color that it develops over the years.
Suited For
The Blue Heeler is best suited to larger families who can keep busy and give it a sense of purpose.
It enjoys following each member of the family around to observe their actions and routines, but it will also spend a lot of time stumbling over you as you go about your everyday chores.
The lifespan of your Australian cattle dog is about 13-15 years, so you’ll have a lot of time to make beautiful memories with them.
What Are The Colors Of The Australian Cattle Dog?
All Australian Cattle dogs are born with thick, white fur, except for the dark spots around their eyes and ears.
The spots on a blue heeler will be black and on a heeler, they will be brown. As the Blue Heeler ages, its black hair will begin to grow in between the white hair. This is what gives the impression that their fur is blue.
Depending on how much black hair they develop, their blue will appear either lighter or darker. However, the brown hair of the Red Heeler puppy will eventually become white.
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