Blue Heeler

[smok3dfish]

Does anyone have one? I know every dog is different, but are they easy to train in general? Are they stubborn, you know? Are do they do an extra mile to try and please the master ? I was looking into getting one, anyone have any opinions about the breed in general? Good or bad. Any input would be most appreciated.

 

[Barb04]

If you put this in The Dog Breeds section, you might get more responses.

 

[Gempress]

I personally don't own a blue heeler, but they are extremely popular dogs in my area, and I have a few friends that own them. Here's what I know.

1. Very active.
2. Smart
3. "Clingy" dogs who like to be with you
4. Very active
5. Quick learners, but can be stubborn if they don't want to listen.
6. Did I mention very active?

I hope this helps.

 

[AndrewF]

I did a lot of reading on Blue Heelers and EVERYTHING says these dogs need to be worked in some fashion, leery of strangers, very loyal to ONE person, a dominant breed, will make their own work (which ends badly) if they are not worked, very protective etc...

I've got an ACD/lab mix and he's 1) very leery of strangers - both human and dogs, 2) Smart enough that I'm going to have him do my taxes this year - okay, that's an exaggeration, but the only limit to what he can be trained to do so far has been MY imagination, 3) gets hyper when he hasn't had enough exercise.

Heeler's are wicked smart dogs so training is easy - as long as you can keep them challenged and occupied.

 

[Gemi_Lee]

Hi there,
We've had 2 blue heelers getting ready to get out 3rd........ will get him the first of Dec..........our first 2 blue heelers have past on.

What I've learned about the blue heelers from living with them!! we had a male very protective & smart he was my husbands but he was protective of me as well!! Max went every where my husband went (he was his shadow).....LOL..... he was easy to train, very protective of his property.........Loved to herd!! very active dogs!!!

Now our female was a little different she wasn't as protective as he was, she was a smart dog, very sweet..... ..... she was easy to train as well, she was more friendlier than he was with meeting new people!!

Our new little one is a male!

Good luck in deciding they are good, reliable and very smart dogs!!

 

[blue]

I almost brought one home from DC in 2000. This boy was curled up in the back of his crate at a Pet Something, I kneeled down after whatching a dozen people check him out, to me he came right to the front of his crate and licked my fingers, if my living sit had been different I would have found a way to bring him home.

I know Im not helpful, but that dog was quiverring at the attention from others and next minute was licking my fingers and wagging his tail.

5 years later Im regretting not getting that dog.

 

[panzer426]

currently have a heller x terrier. she is more terrier than heeler. my family members have had several purebred blue heelers before. I'd say gempress hit the nail on the head. they are very smart, very active, very clingy/cuddly. they can be bull headed/stubborn, but they love to learn. you just have to keep them interested in whatever you are teaching them. use a clicker and food/praise rewards and nilif, and absolutely start at a very young age. they love to herd and some of them will herd you and your children/friends if you dont let them know at a young age that this isnt allowed.
my understanding is that males are typically more protective of property than females. most of the people I know/have known with males said they were freindly but took a while to trust anyone around property. females were protective but warmed up faster and werent as protective of property.
the oldest/longest lived dog on record was a blue heeler.

 

[BigDog2191]

the oldest/longest lived dog on record was a blue heeler

How old did it get to be?

 

[panzer426]

29 years old