topic Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed in Pet Lovers

Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

homedecor1 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 05:25:22 GMT

Pet Lovers I have a dilemma which I don't want to rely or limit my research and opinion on Internet sites.

My friends daughter just moved into her own place and was at a local strip mall. There was a rescue adoption taking place. Her daughter adopted this breed. Accordingly to rescue people they are "sweet lovable dogs" and excellent companions.

she lives in a 3rd fl appt (748sq ft), attends college full time and works 2 p/t jobs rarely home.

ok the research we've done indicates the total opposite of what the rescue people told her. Her mom is quite concerned that this dog is to big for small space, will become aggressive, high maintenance and if not crated will destroy her place.

is anyone familiar with this breed or own and would be kind enough to share the pros and cons. My friend is very concerned daughter bit off too much getting this type dog (again only based on research thru different sites).

thank you!

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

NYwoman — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 06:07:13 GMT

Hound dogs are active, working dogs. They need excercize and things to do. I really do not know of their being destructive. But left alone for long periods of time in doors would bore them. They are "nose hounds" and will sniff out food and go after it, as they would with prey. I would strongly suggest many different food toys to challenge the dog. It still needs frequent, long walks everyday.

Near me, there are "nose work" groups for hound excercize. Hounds can bark and bay a lot, too. But they are loved for their soft ears, sweet nature, and alert mind. BTW, those ears must be cleaned often to prevent infections. The ears are long to pick up sounds and smells.

Contact and local hound groups for accurate information.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

feline groovy — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 06:53:42 GMT

homedecor1 wrote:
Pet Lovers I have a dilemma which I don't want to rely or limit my research and opinion on Internet sites.

My friends daughter just moved into her own place and was at a local strip mall. There was a rescue adoption taking place. Her daughter adopted this breed. Accordingly to rescue people they are "sweet lovable dogs" and excellent companions.

she lives in a 3rd fl appt (748sq ft), attends college full time and works 2 p/t jobs rarely home.

ok the research we've done indicates the total opposite of what the rescue people told her. Her mom is quite concerned that this dog is to big for small space, will become aggressive, high maintenance and if not crated will destroy her place.

is anyone familiar with this breed or own and would be kind enough to share the pros and cons. My friend is very concerned daughter bit off too much getting this type dog (again only based on research thru different sites).

thank you!

This breed - officially named the Australian Cattle Dog - is in the herding (NOT hound) group and highly energetic.

And yes, they're nice dogs.

But, they MUST have a job to do on a daily basis, along with consistent training and exercise.

That means the owner also has to be trained on a consistent basis.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Cattle_Dog

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/australian-cattle-dog/

Certain colors of this breed are sometimes referred to as a "Blue Heeler" or "Red Heeler".

As in this case, when a potential pet parent does not do any thorough research before buying or adopting the pet, the animal always pays, and usually in the worst ways.

A puppy is not an impulse purchase.

It's a living sentient being that deserves the most love and care, and a lifetime commitment.

This young woman seems to have neither the time or proper environment for this puppy.

And since you should never buy a puppy from a pet store (that should have been a part of her research beforehand), she has contributed to the revenue of illegal and extremely cruel puppy mills.

Please see if there's some way that the poor dog can be rescued from this unfortunate situation, and then adopted into a forever home by a person, couple, or family that has done their research, and who has only the ANIMAL'S best interests at heart!

BTW, I have worked in the animal care field, was close to a family with an ACD that should never have come about, and have a lifelong passion for learning about animals of all kinds.

(in case you thought I was just kitty-centric)

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:09:26 GMT

@NYwoman wrote:
Hound dogs are active, working dogs. They need excercize and things to do. I really do not know of their being destructive. But left alone for long periods of time in doors would bore them. They are "nose hounds" and will sniff out food and go after it, as they would with prey. I would strongly suggest many different food toys to challenge the dog. It still needs frequent, long walks everyday.

Near me, there are "nose work" groups for hound excercize. Hounds can bark and bay a lot, too. But they are loved for their soft ears, sweet nature, and alert mind. BTW, those ears must be cleaned often to prevent infections. The ears are long to pick up sounds and smells.

Contact and local hound groups for accurate information.

A Blue Heeler IS NOT a hound. It is a herding dog specializing in driving cattle by nipping at their heels, thus the name "heeler". The blue comes from the color of the coat, gray and black mixed which has a blue cast.

The are very intelligent dogs driven to work, similar to a border collie. They are not suitable for apartment life. Such dogs need mental stimulation (work) and if the owner doesn't provide it, the dog will invent an activity and the owner won't like it. They are not malicious but do become bored easily.

They also need a lot, a lot of exercise to work off the energy they were bred to have for work. It would be difficult for anyone off a farm to provide enough exercise.

Herding dogs, especially highly driven dogs, do not make good family dogs because they will chase and try to herd anything that moves, i.e. cats, cars, children, bicycles, etc.

I have four herding dogs, collies and an Aussie and am quite familiar with the characteristics of this type of dog.

I would immediately return the dog from whence it came. The adoption agency needs a lesson in breed characteristics and appropriate placement. They don't know what they're doing.

@NYwoman. I believe NYwoman has this breed confused with Blue Tick Hounds.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

Kachina624 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 07:13:00 GMT

This young lady doesn't need a pet, especially a dog which is social. It's not fair to leave an animal alone while she attends FT school and works two jobs. Tell her to wait until she finishes school.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

RinaRina — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:36:56 GMT

The Blue Heeler is a "Cattle dog" or herding dog. -H-E-R-D-I-N-G-. Many years ago, I used to walk my dog in a public park, and the two people who had them couldn't wait to get rid of them .. because they worked full time. They were "young" and I suppose never did any research before they made the investment, which was clearly a mistake. You can NOT walk those dogs 30 minutes in the AM and PM and expect a good result. My cousin had a farm with sheep, but he used Border Collies. They herd .... ALL DAY. The place where I used to ride horses got one. The daRn thing would try to herd the horses while we were riding. It was annoying.

I went to a "rescue" event yesterday, and you would've thought I had the plague. Those people would not even let me hold a dog. I'm surprised, given the girl's living situation, a rescue group gave her the dog. That was a totally inappropriate choice for an apartment.

Please don't be offended by my post. This is JMHO, based on my experience. IMHO, she should return the dog to the rescue group immediately and NOT have a dog at all.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

cookie5 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:03:18 GMT

We have a Blue Heeler who is 1 year old - got him when he was 8 weeks. He is a loveable sweet dog who needs constant movement and entertainment (self or otherwise). He is an equal opportunity chewer! He chews everything! A canine wood chipper! Our wood pile is shrinking! He can run FAST! Luckily, we have 5 acres for him to do so. We have 3 other dogs and he gets along with them well. We love him. Until I moved to TX, I had neverr heard of this breed, and the ones I've seen are all beautifully differently marked. An apartment would not be where I would have this dog!!!!! They need space!

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

jackthebear — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:36:36 GMT

Law and Order had an ep where the crazy dude had one of these only time I heard of the breed, it is a hunting/herding dog.

No reason to have one in an apt. at all

and I am not saying that people who have them are crazy but it was integral to the plot.

Please encourage the dog's owner to return the animal to organization,

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

conlt — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:46:29 GMT

I don't know much but I do remember my dog trainer (who has years of experience) say in a class once that the blue healers are quite difficult. Headstrong. I know you have to be very firm whenever you have a dog like that. That being said, I have always had Shelties and they are vocal, active dogs, love to bark. Last year, my groomer called me and told me that one of her clients granddaughter brought home a Sheltie who had been abandoned by a coworker and they were going to take him to a pound. She asked that I foster him to keep him out of the pound. I agreed and went and got the little boy, took him home and he got along well with my 2 girls and in about 2 hours I realized that this dog is a well trained wonderful dog. I took him to my vet and had his microchip read and he came from a rescue. Long story short, the lady from the rescue told me that she picked him up in a shelter, he was adopted out 3 times and brought back. These college girls adopted him then could not keep him and made up the story about him being abandoned. I ended up keeping him and the shelter agreed. I have had him 15 months now and he is a wonderful, beautiful dog with only 1 problem. He howls, LOL. When I first got him, even though he has my 2 girls with him, when I left the house he howled up a storm and he likes to bark. I am working him out of that, but I guess the moral of my story is that this rescue did not place him into the correct home. He was brought back 3 times, and headed to another rescue if I had not picked him up. I don't think the blue healer is a dog for the novice dog owner but this dog may be nice. I don't know.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

doxie1 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:49:27 GMT

I do not think the young lady has time for any dog right now with her schedule. Blue heelers can be aweesome dogs but they need stimulation, play time and a job to do. They are herding dogs and tend to find things to herd, They remind me of jack russells and australian shepherds that need something to do. I had an australian shepherd, great pyranees and a heeler at one time. The healer was a foster. A neighbor had dairy cows that he milked. He would take my australian shepherd to bring the cows in. They would drive up to pick up the dog and she would be waiting for them at the mailbox. That dog loved doing that and was calm the rest of the time. The great ending to the story is that the neighbor fell in love with the heelers and adopted her. He still would come get the shepherd as well.

While no dog should be expected to be alone all of the time , there are some that need more stimulation.

doxie

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

jackthebear — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 14:58:11 GMT

@conlt wrote:
I don't know much but I do remember my dog trainer (who has years of experience) say in a class once that the blue healers are quite difficult. Headstrong. I know you have to be very firm whenever you have a dog like that. That being said, I have always had Shelties and they are vocal, active dogs, love to bark. Last year, my groomer called me and told me that one of her clients granddaughter brought home a Sheltie who had been abandoned by a coworker and they were going to take him to a pound. She asked that I foster him to keep him out of the pound. I agreed and went and got the little boy, took him home and he got along well with my 2 girls and in about 2 hours I realized that this dog is a well trained wonderful dog. I took him to my vet and had his microchip read and he came from a rescue. Long story short, the lady from the rescue told me that she picked him up in a shelter, he was adopted out 3 times and brought back. These college girls adopted him then could not keep him and made up the story about him being abandoned. I ended up keeping him and the shelter agreed. I have had him 15 months now and he is a wonderful, beautiful dog with only 1 problem. He howls, LOL. When I first got him, even though he has my 2 girls with him, when I left the house he howled up a storm and he likes to bark. I am working him out of that, but I guess the moral of my story is that this rescue did not place him into the correct home. He was brought back 3 times, and headed to another rescue if I had not picked him up. I don't think the blue healer is a dog for the novice dog owner but this dog may be nice. I don't know.

I am not a dog person, but this is sad for the dog to be bounced around like this

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

CrazyDaisy — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:20:32 GMT

I own a cattle dog mix. She is 8 years old and I have had her since she was 8 weeks old. Oh and I live in an 800 sq ft apartment (with two dogs).

They can be very good dogs if they have an outlet for their energy (of course that is true for most any dog). They do need training so they know what is expected, they like rules and know what is expected more so than other breeds. Which also means change may need to be taken slow. Given there own devices, any dog will make poor choices. They can be protective and tend to get nervous in large groups, this may include other dog unless properly socialized.

If your friends daughter is active she may be able to exercise him. If she runs frequently or have friends who can get him out to run with them. Doggie day cares are another way to get him exercised and socialized. It is all in the amount of commitment she has to the puppy.

I the bigger issue is that he is a puppy. A puppy of any mix has a whole set of issues. This is going to be a medium size dog that needs to be house broken. He will be teething, need vet care, and training.

While I will say this breed may not be the best choice for most people it can very well work out if the person is commited to the dog. The bigger issue to a puppy in general.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

Anita Bourbon — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:32:46 GMT

Bad choice. I have a young heeler but she is a true working dog on a farm and she is being trained to work with livestock. That being said whenever we have to stay indoors because of bad weather or in a hotel she starts to get very antsy and will chew on whatever she can find or bark at me. I would take the heeler to a rescue group or back to the shelter it came from immediately because it's going to end up back there sooner or later once it drives the owner completely insane. Dogs like that need to work and crating them all the time is ridiculous and cruel.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

conlt — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 21:54:02 GMT

He was just 2 1/2 when I got him. I only had him about 2 hours when I knew I was not going to let him out of my site. He has a stable home now and is very happy with his 2 Sheltie sisters. Many people, who get Shelties, don't understand that they can be vocal, meaning bark a lot, and they have to be busy such as the Blue Healer discussed here. So they are not for everyone. In addition, Shelties must be trained from early on because they can be unsocial and fearful, making some scared and nippy. People don't realize this. My little guy could have been trained not to bark at an early age. He is very bright. When we got our first Sheltie in 1976 she was awesome and I have had them ever since. I tell my little guy that he hit the Lotto jackpot, he has a fully fenced yard, 2 sisters to play with and a stable home. God gave him to me for a reason as I was not looking for a dog that day, he just entered my life and I love him very much.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

LImom — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 00:13:39 GMT

The dog from Mad Max. Love the breed, but I think they are best suited to a farm. That's a real working dog.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

Kachina624 — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 02:48:36 GMT

@homedecor1. What happened to the Blue Heeler? Inquiring minds want to know, especially the ones that took time to reply to you.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

homedecor1 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:10:57 GMT

Sorry on a family vacation at Jersey shore🎉🎉 I haven't heard yet how they resolved the "family" issue.

When I posted the parents were very upset about that decision! I will update as I'm away. My feeling is the boyfriend loves the dog (he lives with her) and the dog will stay.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

jaxs mom — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:15:52 GMT

They are working dogs ( but not hounds) and they will herd you, your kids and your other pets. I wouldn't say that the apartment is too small but the dog will need to be walked at least once a day for exercise other than it's usual potty needs. They can be stubborn and as most herding breeds are, tend to follow their own rules if you don't put a lot of time into training them.

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

homedecor1 — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 05:38:26 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@homedecor1. What happened to the Blue Heeler? Inquiring minds want to know, especially the ones that took time to reply to you.

Well I just talked to my friend and DOG/boyfriend are keepers! My friend said her daughter is relying on her boyfriend to care for him...he doesn't start new job until 9/5. She starts medical school 9/24. Apparently, she's rounded up some new friends to walk dog during school hours, etc.Her only complaint is he "whines" and barks thru the nite to go out. Her answer is he's a puppy!

im sure more tales will come but for now that's what they have decided to do. Parents are furious as they are worried for daughter and boyfriend is lazier than a slug that the dog will destroy house for which they pay for! Oh well......

Re: Advice please: blue heeler dog breed

Another new name Sue — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:46:13 GMT

Sounds like an inappropriate dog for these people, and I don't blame the parents for being unhappy. Right now they are in the "honeymoon" period with the dog; later, it won't be so much fun. Walks aren't a lot of exercise for heelers, they need genuine running exercise, chasing a ball, playing with other dogs, etc. Crated for hours at a time, unless it's tired, sounds miserable. I hope it all works out and turns out to be a good home.