Blue Heeler vs Australian Shepherd: 8 Key Differences (2023)

FAQs

Are Australian Cattle Dogs different than Australian Shepherds? ›

The Australian Shepherd is taller and heavier than the Australian Cattle Dog, while the latter has a more specific coat color and a longer life expectancy. Both are herding dog breeds, so their temperament and trainability are similar. However, we can still highlight some differences between the two.

Its parentage comes from two common Australian breeds, the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog. The latter breed is also more commonly known as the Blue Heeler. Texas Heelers are a friendly bunch, all while being protective of its family.

The Blue Heeler is one color of Australian Cattle Dog, while Australian Cattle Dogs come in a few other colors. The Blue Heeler is the same breed as the Australian Cattle Dog. The only thing that can help you tell them apart is their color; the Blue Heeler has a blue coat.

Australian Cattle dogs are more territorial than Australian Shepherds. The Australian Shepherd is larger. The Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds fully grown and stands 18 to 23 inches from paw to shoulder. The Cattle dog weighs 35 to 50 pounds and is smaller, standing between 17 and 20 inches tall.

The Blue Heeler is smaller than an Australian Shepherd on average, both in height and weight. Australian Shepherds have fluffy coats, while Blue Heelers have dense and thick fur. Finally, Australian Shepherds have slightly longer lifespans than Blue Heelers.

So, which breed is right for you? If you're looking for a smaller herding dog with a short coat, the Blue Heeler might be the better choice. However, if size doesn't matter to you and you prefer a longer-coated dog, the Australian Shepherd might be a better option.

What Is a Blue Heeler? As you might have guessed, Australian Cattle dogs originated Down Under in the 1840s, when a native Queenslander started breeding blue merle collies with Dingoes. The pups proved to be such good working dogs that their fame spread—and litters were snapped up by nearby cattle farmers.

In the 1800s, the Basques began migrating to Australia to keep sheep. Their Pyrenean Shepherds crossbred with other working dogs, including Collies and Border Collies, creating the modern version of the Australian Shepherd.

The filmmakers auditioned over 100 dogs to no avail until visiting the dog pound at Yagoona. There they found a two year old Australian Cattle Dog (according to Miller, a half-breed of wild dingo and sheep collie) scheduled to be put down.

Why do Blue Heelers have webbed feet? ›

The webbed feet give great assistance when paddling through the water. There are also some examples of breeds that were bred to walk on snow having webbed feet. Blue Heelers have no history of being bred to swim even though they are often excellent swimmers. They were bred to herd and drove cattle.

Cattle dogs are suspicious and often outright aggressive towards unfamiliar people and things, and treat everything as a potential threat. They bite people they don't like, they also bite people they do like. They bite out of affection. They bite when overstimulated.

The Australian Shepherd is one of a few dog breeds that commonly have two different colored eyes, called heterochromia. Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes. Some Aussies even display more than one color within the same eye.

The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.

Australian Cattle Dogs, also called Blue Heelers, are extremely alert, pleasant pups with keen intelligence and a fierce sense of loyalty. These faithful friends are not considered aggressive and can be an excellent fit for families with kids.

Temperament. Like many working dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog has high energy levels, an active mind, and a level of independence. The breed ranks 10th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, rated as one of the most intelligent dogs ranked by obedience command trainability.

Bred to perform demanding tasks, the Australian cattle dog is extremely alert, intelligent, watchful and courageous. Highly trustworthy and reliable, they have a tenacious sense of duty. Loyal to their owners and wary of strangers, they are fiercely protective when used as a watch dog, although they are not barkers.

Australian Shepherds are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, and are renown for their obedience, agility, and excellence in herding and other active sports.

The list of the world's smartest dog breeds, according to a survey of 122 veterinary professionals conducted by Vetstreet, probably comes as no surprise. Border collies, German shepherds, poodles, Australian shepherds and golden retrievers all have a reputation for being intelligent dogs.

Are Australian Shepherds the smartest dogs? ›

According to Coren's standards, the Australian Shepherd ranked (drumroll, please) 42nd among 138 breeds. This ranking may feel lower than expected if you know Australian Shepherds well. However, their intelligence remains above average for dog breeds as a whole.

But there may be days when we wonder, “Why does my dog follow me everywhere?” The answer has to do with your dog's animal instinct, pack mentality, and a few other variables. Canine companions that follow their humans everywhere are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because of their desire to be attached to your side.

ACDs make exceptional guard dogs and watchdogs. They will naturally patrol their property and alert their pack when danger approaches, and become aggressive if they perceive a threat.

Nipping and biting are fairly common practices for Australian blue heelers. They are herding dogs, which means they nip and bite the flanks of other animals to “herd” them in a particular direction. Even so, you can't have a dog who nips and bites people, so there are things your family can do to limit this behavior.

Dogs evolved from wolves. German shepherds, Australian shepherds, French poodles, even Mexican chihuahuas all trace their lineage to Canis lupus.

Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.

If your puppy is properly introduced to the water, many of them do end up liking to swim. This breed wasn't particularly bred to be around water, however. They are herding dogs, which means that they traditionally spent much of their life on land. They don't have the innate love of water that some other breeds have.

The Labrador Retriever holds the top spot, and this friendly favorite has been No. 1 since 1991. Below, find ranked annual lists of AKC-recognized breeds.

What dog breed is in Prey? ›

Coco, the adorable animal actor who portrays Sarii, was chosen for her specific rare breed, the American Dingo.

Cujo, a friendly St. Bernard, contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town. Cujo, a friendly St. Bernard, contracts rabies and conducts a reign of terror on a small American town.

mad dog (plural mad dogs) A rabid dog. (figuratively, by extension) Someone who is aggressive and fanatical; an aggressor who cannot be reasoned with.

These dogs no longer feel safe in their environment so stick close to their owner to help calm their nerves. Separation anxiety: Dogs who suffer from separation anxiety are clingy by nature.

They Lean on You

When you're sitting on the couch and your dog leans his body weight against your legs, he's showing his affection. Of all the cozy spots for your dog in the house, there's no place more comforting than right next to you. Pressing his weight against you reassures him as he rests or takes a nap.

Blue Heelers are fiercely independent dogs, who are usually devoted to one person. This characteristic stems from the types of canines Australian George Elliott used to develop the breed in 1840, a mix of native dingos with Collies and other herding dogs.

Australian Cattle Dogs bond closely with their owners, once the owners have earned it, and become remarkably loyal companions. For this reason, they do not like to be left alone for hours at a time. They are protective of their family and property.

With fierce devotion to their owners, Australian Cattle Dogs often bond strongly to one person and will object to being separated from them.

ACDs are well known for their intelligence and desire to work, and prized for their athleticism and decision making skills. What makes them so special can also make them quite challenging since their "smarts" and independent streak also demand that their owners be consistent, strong and positive leaders.

A potential con is that they are known to be a high energy breed. If you're not an active person, I would not recommend this breed for you as they do require daily walks and training to have a well-balanced dog.

Can Australian Shepherds be left alone all day? ›

They require plenty of attention. Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.

Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.

While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don't know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.

In the case of the Australian Shepherd pup, tail docking is a procedure that benefits the life of the dog. A shorter tail prevents potential breaking later in life and ensures a cleaner and more sanitary lifestyle for the dog and its owner.

The Australian Shepherd tail and mini Australian Shepherd tail both often undergo tail docking for the following reasons: It's considered a standard of the breed. An undocked tail is long, messy, and could get matted. To prevent damage from tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor dangers.

Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone.

If your dog follows you everywhere then it's a sign that they trust and love you and that you make them feel safe. Following you very closely can be a sign that they're bored, they want something, they're feeling scared or are just being nosy.

Zoomies often feature frantic, repetitive behavior such as running in circles or spinning around. A frequent cause of zoomies is an excess buildup of energy that dogs hold on to, which is then released in one big burst.

Australian Cattle Dogs are the culmination of cross-breeding the Blue Merle and the Australian Dingo by British settlers in Australia in the late 1800s. These working dogs have plenty of energy and love to run. They're devoted to their people and can be good for families—as long they have an outlet for all that energy.

Recognize the color of the coat.

Australian Cattle Dogs have two coat colors: blue and red speckle. Blue coats may be solid, mottled, or speckled with or without markings. Markings include black, blue, or tan on the face and tan on the legs, chest, throat, and jaw.

What is another name for an Australian Cattle Dog? ›

The compact but muscular Australian Cattle Dog, also called Blue or Red Heeler or Queensland Heeler, is related to Australia's famous wild dog, the Dingo.

According to their findings, the Belgian Malinois is the smartest pup, with 35 points out of 39. In second place came Border Collies with 26 points, followed closely by the German breed Hovawart, with 25 points. Other clever dogs include Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies and Golden Retrievers.

As you might have guessed, Australian Cattle dogs originated Down Under in the 1840s, when a native Queenslander started breeding blue merle collies with Dingoes. The pups proved to be such good working dogs that their fame spread—and litters were snapped up by nearby cattle farmers.

According to Coren's standards, the Australian Shepherd ranked (drumroll, please) 42nd among 138 breeds. This ranking may feel lower than expected if you know Australian Shepherds well. However, their intelligence remains above average for dog breeds as a whole.

While their first love is any kind of activity, the Australian Cattle Dog is equally devoted to family, sometimes choosing one family member as her person and following that person everywhere, a trait that has earned ACDs the nickname "velcro dogs." ACDs cherish spending time with people and should not be left alone ...

Breeds like German Shepherds and Australian cattle dogs also become clingy because of their selective breeding to work closely with their owners. Sick or old dogs: When dogs become sick or old they become clingier.

Like many other intelligent dog breeds, Australian cattle dogs can become bored or get separation anxiety when left alone. They are always active and will start looking for trouble when they get bored.

The cowboy corgi is a mix between an Australian cattle dog and a Pembroke Welsh corgi.

Australian Cattle Dog

An Australian Cattle Dog called Bluey holds the record for the longest-lived dog - reaching an incredible 29 years of age. The breed normally lives for around 15 years.