NetPet Australian Cattle Dog Information and References [also known as the Blue Heeler]
The Australian Cattle Dog is only one of several breeds of Australian Herding Dog. The breed
originated with the crossing of Collies from Great Britian with the Dingo, the Australian wild
dog.The dogs come in an interesting roan color, either roan on a black coat (producing a blue appearing dog) or roan on a red coat (producing a red appearing dog). An alternate name for the breed is Australian Heeler. The blue roan being called a "Blue Heeler" and the red roan color being called a "Red Heeler". This name is derived from the heel nipping behavior that is instinctive to these dogs. Heel nipping is needed to drive cattle but is not desirable in driving sheep. Australian Cattle dogs are athletic, active, protective working dogs who are not suited to all owners or circumstances. The selected links below are valuable in introducing you to the advantages and disadvantages of the breed. A MAJOR source of owner disatisfaction is the heel nipping behavior that accompanies the dog's herding activities. These dogs will attempt to herd their owner's, children, and other mobile objects in their environment. When they herd they heel nip. Australian Cattle Dogs must be in a home in which a high level of owner/dog activity is possible. They thrive on obedience work, although they can be stubborn. In the absence of strong leadership and a program of obedience work they can be very difficult and destructive dogs. A common misspelling of the name is "Blue Healer". No they have nothing to do with the
health care professions. The name is derived from heel nipping behavior For an overview of active herding dogs see our NetPet article About Herding Dogs
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