This is the most accurate description of a Blue Heeler. I have watched a lot including a recommendation of "at least 1 hr per day" exercise. Maybe for someone with a big house who throws around a ball inside...maybe. realistically 3 to 5 hrs min outside daily. These digs will chase anything that moves including cars, squirrels, cats. Will track hawks flying over head. (Great for keeping critters away from chicken coops.) Incredibly loyal and loves water, riding in boats and cars. The most intense dog ever!!!! Oh and the nipping ....for the love of god....the nipping at my heels and toes...and the demand to fetch....and for treats. With that said, I LOVE my Heeler!!!!! DottieBug is the best!
Great advice in this video for people thinking about a Heeler. I find that 40 ball throws in the morning and again in the evening for my Heeler is enough to get him tired, but I know he could keep going if he had to. So I'm probably only exercising him an hour a day but he puts 100% in to it, and just sleeps/hangs out with me for the rest of the time if I'm home. Definitely a shadow dog, he follows me everywhere and loves getting a pat. I still get nipped on the heels occasionally when he gets super exited about getting to work like going to the park but he's definitely got much better - he used to bite my hand accidentally and draw blood when I was throwing the ball but he knows he knows that is unacceptable now! They can definitely be trained if you're consistent. Mine is no angel but he's come such a long way :)
The guy didn't mention the love for dog hair. I don't have a healer- i have. A blue shedder. 😂 seriously- upholstery dog. Fur furniture. Got him when he was 6 weeks. My self growth, and understanding of behavioral psychology i owe to my healer. I've been im school for 2 years, constantly on the grind- my last year and I can't- dog can't wait. Dog been patiently waiting every day for me to be free for him. He's the best.
My Blue Heeler knew I had cancer before I did. He would jump up and nip at the area where the tumor was. When I found out I was able to have it removed early. When I went through chemotherapy my dog was perfectly content to nap with me on the days when I wasn't up to anything else. What a great boy!
I have an untreated aortic aneurysm. I catch my dog staring at my chest a lot these days. That worries me so much it was a contributing factor in my decision to sell my house and get the Hell out of this town while I'm still alive. The medical services here are shit.
I’ve had 5 Blue Healers, as you said they were all excellent and very loyal! I’ve had many other dogs, Labs, Boarder Collies, Springer Spaniels, mutts, even a corgi, but none of them were half as smart as my Healers, and I was lucky enough to have one Blue Healer who was a genius! He was the smartest person I’ve ever met! I have 4 kids and 5 dogs but this guy was smarter than all of them! He was my daughter’s dog but she moved to a non-dog apartment and gave him to me, because as she said, ‘you’re the only male he doesn’t try to bite!” He and I got on great from day 1, he was probably about 2 years old, but I threw his toy and we played catch and then when he was done I’d pour a little of my beer into my hand and let him lick it up. He LOVED it! I would talk to him as if he spoke English….and I’m pretty sure he understood most of what I was saying! I would just look at him and he knew we were going out, he’d jump up and be ready at the door, no BS, no barking, just ready to go! He was the best! We had 10 years of wonderful times, sailing, riding bikes in the park, kayaking, chasing frisbee’s, and then he got an enlarged heart and suddenly died. I was crushed. He was my best friend. So loyal, so loving, so smart! I’ve got lots of other Blue Healers but none will ever be as smart as Maddox! He was a once in a lifetime dog!
Mate that gave me a tear, I've had 3 plus my pound rescue red girl who owns me now but my hardest loss was losing my last blue girl Bes. She was only 11 when she developed sudden and aggressive lymphoma. In less than two months I saw her go from let me at it to being unable to swolow food or water. I'll never forget the day she left me, July 9 2020.
@@fasteddie9201 That’s the worst part about dogs, we usually out live them. Ever time I lose one I swear I’m not getting another one, too much heart break when they die. But one of my kids will usually drop one off at my house or my wife will go buy one and then the cycle starts all over again! She bought a little Corgi 2 years ago and he is a hoot! So much personality! So funny just to watch his little legs when he runs around the yard! I still miss Maddox the healer but this little Corgi is helping me get over it.
This makes me cry and reminds me of my ACD named Liberty she was my service dog and she went everywhere with me. I swear she could even steer my car! I miss her so much and she'll always be in my heart until I get to see her again 💔
Intense is the word I use to describe this breed too. Luv them. I do alot of backpacking solo and my guy is the buddy for those trips for every reason in this video. He goes everywhere I'm allowed to take him. Super smart, super strong , super loyal= super intense😍
I had a Red (named her Red) and she was the same as this blue. Got her as a small pup maybe a month old, wandering a forest area alone. Tried to find the owner but 1 month later, I was hers. Brave is an understatement. I witnessed her demolish a large Racoon like it was a chew toy. after it hissed and came at me. She used to sneak out of the yard (climbed a 6' chain link fence) to go down the street twice a day, to visit an Elementary School; she figured out when it was recess time. The kids, teachers, parents, principle all met with her and agreed to allow it (small town). When parents witnessed just 1 recess with her and the kids, they walked away with the "ok with me'" hand wave. The kids would chase her, throw the ball, she was an all star fielder in softball. She genuinely loved kids. Not just tolerate, but was like a mother/sibling to them. When the bell rang to end recess, her instinct kicked in and got the kids in line to go. The yard monitors just loved her for this. She had a no fighting policy as well. I only heard stories about her putting a bite-less stop to pushing and shoving. Teeth and growls were enough. I've had people 30 years later look me up and ask about Red and tell me their story. After 17 years, she made 1,000's of friends and memories. When she passed, I received over 900 sympathy cards, some with photos of Red. Actual cards, not emails and postings. Please, if you decide on a Red or Blue heeler, have the property and time to play with them. Ideally, a few hundred kids on top of that. Guaranteed no child predator will survive if they so much as touch one of those kids. I loved that dog as much as anyone or anything in my life.
That's my pound rescue red girl to a T. She adores people and mothers any kid she meets, is loved by everyone who walks past, always stopping to say G'day to Zali, not even looking at me. She's my current, as well as a wild orphan dingo pup I rescued last year in a long line of Heelers and Dingoes. Won't have anything else, she's also got herself over 1500 followers on Instagram.
Intensity is the key heeler trait. As much as they love to run, jump, play and chase things, they also cuddle and love more intensely than any other dog I’ve ever known.
I currently have a dilemma. I have owned 3 ACDs, and everything said in this video is true, and why I love this breed. The last of the three died at age 15, 6 months ago. My second ACD also lived to be 15. My dilemma, I just turned 70 and don’t know if I can provide the same level of energy I provided to my previous ACDs. Also, I won’t raise an ACD that is older than 10 months at the time of adoption. I’m interested in hearing from anyone over 70 who is beginning or recently began anew with an ACD puppy. I would love everyone’s honest thoughts.
They are so cute, got to love them. I have a 6-month-old puppy, He is just the way you described. Yes, they will jump off anything. Even a puppy! you did describe them well, I love hiking so I'm glad I got him, plus I live on acreage.
I got my first Blue when I was 50. I shoe horses for a living, and took her everywhere. She logged over a ½-million miles in my co-pilot seat during our 15 years together, and having to say goodbye to her was about the worst day of my life. Now at 66, I got another pup, and she is a pistol! Tougher than the first one, but @ 8 months she is finally starting to settle down, and I have high hopes she will get to be more like my last one, because if she is people will line up to take her should something happen to me.
@@DogsNowChannel I hope so! This one is a lot more stubborn, a lot more vocal, and a lot more hyper in general than the last one. The last one was "fixed", and I haven't had this one done yet, so maybe that will make a difference?
Love this breed beyond words. So agree, give them a job, keep them busy. Intense, yes. But no better partner. Be the leader and your pack will be happy. But they will try to outsmart you...thats part of the fun.
She sheds so much she opens doors she barks at anyone she doesn't know no matter how big. Peaches is 14 years old and I have never had a dog that has stuck to me the way she has. She is my drama queen she got stung by a wasp and fainted lol. It is no joke they have no fear at all and they are intense be prepared for a wild ride.
Mine is 10 months old and is RiDICULOUS!He has masses of exercise,socializing,hiking and in the last few weeks..stole an entire stick of butter in foil from countertop,opened a backpack and ate ALL food intended for a whole day of hike and ate an entire tennis ball without chewing and had VERY expensive stressful surgery..I am a diligent owner have had dogs my whole life and never spent so much time and money to try to get him trained.....luckily he has a face to die for and a brother that loves him so we will soldier on...youve been warned tho...
My dog is only half blue heeler and this describes him entirely. Loyal enough to be walked off leash from 10 weeks old, endless energy, protective as all hell and had an extremely strong herding instinct which definitely took months of work to train away the nipping. But god I love the little man.
I got one 8 months ago. Named him Pancho. He's so smart and loving. Has to be by my side everywhere I go. Me and my wife love him. He's everything you said in this video accept swimming lol he hates cold water but I hope to get him liking water in the future
@@joshuajackson7596 either of them like baths, but what dog does. They both got sprayed by a skunk a few days ago what a mess that was I had to wash and bathe both dogs by myself it was hell. I found a recipe online to get rid of skunk smell and it worked excellent. 1.One quart 3% hydrogen peroxide 2. 1/2 cup baking soda 3. Two tablespoons of dish soap (preferably Dawn) Mix well use rag to wash to lather down dog Let sit for 5 minutes Follow up bath with dog shampoo Instant skunk gone Check it out it's online In case it happens to your dog
This video is so very true, having been told all of this I whent ahead and got mine as a 8 wk pup and I'm 64 well first of all we stayed downstairs with him in a kennel next to the couch where I sleep with hand on the top of kennl so he would not be alone knowing just how strong of bond we had,now day he's by my side as much as possible and he keeps me dragging from keeping him on the go, but I Will die to keep him happy because there's no way in hell I'll give him up so please keep this mind. That said greatest connection you could imagine , would kill for this shadow of mine. I'm now 67 he's just over two and have seen all he can and will do wouldn't have it any other way.
Velcro is right. All I have to do is make eye contact with him and he comes running. I always tell people don't make eye contact with him unless you want to play
Tip for any new heeler owners: Buy an Indestructible herding ball off Amazon. It will be life changing Yeah no one ever believes me about our red heeler. We’re lucky she’s a bit more submissive but good god she wants to be outside 24/7 but you have to be within sight at all times lol
Great video! I just subscribed. My Bella is a Blue. Her father was a Red and her mother a Blue. She is my second Cattle Dog and I would never have anything else. She’s stubborn, but so am I, so it makes for some interesting exchanges!😆She’s smarter than me, that’s all I know! 😆I can’t put anything over on her. I watched a vid that named 10 breeds that will gladly die to protect their owners. Guess what one of those breeds was?? My wife and I can’t hug without her going nuts. She’s trying to protect us from each other. Come to think of it, some days that’s not a bad idea!!😂Thanks again for the great vid!!👍
I love my doggo! His mum was a cattle dog and his dad part Labrador. Only ever nipped me once as a puppy but it was corrected right there and then. Never did it again. They need a big backyard. He is incredibly loyal and definitely a Velcro and shadow dog. He does adjust to me! I can’t spend much time without him but he’s beautifully house trained too! Never made a mess inside and just goes to sleep or plays with toys whilst inside. He is definitely high energy and yes he’s incredibly smart and will never leave you alone!
As an ICU worker at Local Hospital, I walk mine a mile and a half every AM, after shift. Play keep away playing catch with football with Son for 30 minutes, wary of the "Dick Butkis" mentality of my Heeler. Lol,she's alot of fun,and jumps so high. Tireless,loving Animal.
Loved my Red Heeler. Purebred. Mine was mellow and great disposition. Have had an alpha herder in the past. The key was exercise and training. Love the herding breads. Love them!!!
It was a win win for me because I am a runner and Choncho loves to run and chases away coyotes. I have had a couple of these guys and they are the best. This one is smarter than I am.
My dog never tries to escape home thank God it’s because if you feed them Top Notch food they never will. The gate door can be wide open but he will never budge unless I do. I’m so grateful for this. He has home cooked food nearly every night.
Exercise, play and let it run you have to tire them out that's what I learned. I've watched a lot of videos and they all say a happy heeler is a tired heeler. What really helped in my case was I have a older heeler which helped tire him out.
Agree, we play a lot during the day chasing stuff in the yard. By the time evening comes they're worn out and spend the evening snuggling watching YT. And they sleep all night. Repeat the next day lol.
Crate training solved this issue for me. And makes other things easier too. At first he would whine, but now it's his safe space, loves to chill there. Just don't give in to the whining or he'll learn that gets him what he wants. And as others have stated, tiring them out is essential too.
I have had blue heelers and border collies and only recently changed to working line german shepherd after moving to smaller property. Blue heeler a superior dog in every way but for someone whom isn't a dog trainer you would not be able handle nor understand there potential. Not for suburban living. they are not 10th smartest i would say they are the smartest, not sure if they only used one dog in this determination or if it was a proper Australian working line. Be cautious there are many cross bred not true to type. Like the ones in this video.
The best way to know if you have a full blooded Heeler is the little white star on the top of their head. No exceptions! My breeder taught me that if they don’t have the star, they’re not a full blooded Heeler!👍😊
They are very dangerous dogs. My Cavalier was attack by a blue heeler. It was devastating. The owner had him on a leash but could not control him so he got loose and just decided to attack my dog while we were walking. He left cuts and bruises on my Cavalier but the worse part was that he pooped all over her. My dog is a very kind and submissive dog and she was crying until the crazy blue heeler was off of her. Stay away from them!
Be careful what they see other dogs do when they are growing up because all my dog saw on his walks was a very aggressive German shepherd that would bark like crazy at him throw the fence. When at the dog park all he did was bark at the dogs on the other side through the fence. Also, when was getting socialized at the dog park he was chased real bad by a cane corso and after that he just wanted to chase any dog even if that dog was just catching its ball and had no idea it was in a chase.
My stumpy just turned 1 nice bit of rump steak 🥩 for birthday these dogs are loyal Smart and fearless what more do you want in a dog 🐕 love him too bits wouldn't sell him for a million dollars
Two minutes ago I sniffed suspiciously a couple of times, looked at my Blue girl, and said: You're about due for a bath aren't you? She vanished under my desk, head down, trying not to be noticed even though she had to brush past my legs. Man they're murky dogs.
I take mine to the beach,he'll run 10 miles at least,and swim a mile or so. When we get home he grabs a toy and wants to play,and I should say he's 11 now
"This dog will die before it gives up" pretty much sums up the breed. Please be careful with these dogs. They are not the right breed for 90% of pet dog owners. I love my heeler, but I didn't really understand what I was getting myself into lol.
Had the pleasure of owning 2 Aussie cattle Dogs , should've bought a third, ended up with a border Collie X poodle,twice the energy, demanding 24/7 be warned
Nip the nipping in the bud. Get the frisbee learn self growth with training your healer proper. Yes, train your healer- define what will be helpful to your day to day life- identify and promote their talents. Very smart...oh yeah. They aint dumb. Anticipating. They will even try talking like us- they try. Again treat their successes with frisbee time. Pick up after their self, help, with the laundry, get things, close doors, get drinks out the fridge, cook. Yes self growth will result, if you desire to, you have to command consistent and decipline with yourself...that transfers to the healer. You'll have a best friend for ever. Also, take your healer with you on rides- luvs it. No need to lock your car door. Ain't no one gonna take it. Healer can be bossy, if you allow it. You love dog hair right? I do.
It's the best and worst thing, combined into one thing, that can happen to you. You will love and hate this breed. It's like a high performance Swiss Army knife.
I cant say or even "spell" out words , Frankie she knows what im spelling so now everything is called a "thing" cuz it means everything lol and she cant figure it out..
TOO MUCH for who?? Try raising a Cane Corso Male that can jump a 4 foot fence and weighs 160lbs.. Heelers are tough but, it seems people build these dogs up beyond what they really are.
My 50 pound heeler mix could bounce from standing to kiss my 6'3 hubby on the nose. These dogs are intense. Don't get one. It'd be way too much for you.
Only YANKS build them up beyond what they really are mate 😆 🤣...best u lot just leave them here in Aussie...where we know what they are capable off mate
My heeler can clear a 4 foot fence like a Kentucky show horse. My 12 year old knows her commands in two languages. She also looks both ways before crossing the street.
I’m on my third blue heeler. My first one had to be put down at the age of 13 because of cancer. She was awesome. Now I have a male blue heeler and he’s 6 and I just got me a pup. I just sit around all the time and they adapt to that life style so this video is bullshit
Mine has LOTS of land, discipline and Love. Good food for growth and a regular Vet Visit. They were great dogs. Sadly, both passed away last year. Sister and couldn't live without each other