Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix is a crossbreed between the two popular herding dogs, Border Collie and Blue Heeler or the Australian Cattle Dog. They are medium-sized dogs and not ideal for apartments and small spaces. Also called Collie Heeler, they are intelligent, loyal, fun-loving, and great family companions. The hybrid’s origin and history are unknown and looked upon at the parent breeds. They come with the designer dog tag and are not recognized by the AKC.
Border Collie is primarily a herding dog developed to herd and control sheep on the hilly borders between Scotland and England. Notably, the evolution and existence of these dogs are as old as that of humans. Their ancestors were used for herding and guarding sheep and were once considered the biggest asset of a shepherd. Interestingly, they are known to herd the sheep alone with eye contact. The word Collie means ‘Sheep dog’ in Scottish and reflects Scottish heritage. They are ranked as the 33rd most popular breed in the USA.
The other parent breed, Australian Cattle Dog or the Blue Heeler, is loyal and protective bred to herd cattle. The Australian settlers bred the Australian Cattle Dog in the 19th century to herd cattle on big ranches. These dogs are loyal, hard-working, and intelligent. However, they are also naughty and called “velcro dogs” because they tend to be attached and bond closely with their owners.
Blue Heeler Border Collie combines confidence, fierceness, intelligence, and boundless energy. These sassy-looking dogs are blessed with good looks and will surely be loved at first sight.
Table of Contents
Blue Heeler Border Collie Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Intelligent
High Exercise need
Obedient and faithful
Separation anxiety
Low barking level
Not suitable for apartments
Blue Heeler Border Collie Basic Information
Name: Blue Heeler Border Collie
Group: Mixed breed, Herding dog
Size: Medium
Height: 17-23 inches
Weight: 30-50 pounds
Coat: Double-layered, short to medium-length coat.
Color: Merle, blue, red speckled, tricolor, black, white, brown
Energy: High
Activities: Walking, tracking, hiking, playing fetch, herding, frisbee, football
Welsh Sheep Dogs, Northern Sheepdogs, Highland Collies, and Scotch Collies
Queensland Heelers Queensland Blue Heelers Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heeler, Australian Cattle dog, Red Heeler, Australischer Treibhund
Blue Heeler Border Collie Personality
Border Collie Blue Heelers are athletic, medium-sized dogs that grow up to 17-20 inches and weigh about 35-50 pounds. They are double-coated with medium to short-length fur that may be straight or wavy. The coat is smooth, weather-resistant, water-resistant, and not hypoallergenic. The coat color includes merle, blue, red speckled, tricolor, black, white, and brown. The coat features mottling along with patches of a dark color. This may include:
Blue
Red mottled
Blue mottled
Red speckled
Blue speckled
Also, the Border collie coats can be either smooth-coated or rough-coated. Those with rough coats have longer hair and require more grooming and maintenance. The snout and muzzle are strong and of medium length.
The feet are either round with short toes or compact with long toes. The eyes are dark brown to hazel or blue and are the typical ‘herding eyes’ characterized by the sharp look while herding sheep. The ears are large, triangular, and erect. Border Collie Heelers are the good-looking, sturdy soldiers who care for your heart and home.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
Medium-high
Dog-friendly
High
Stranger-friendly
Medium-high
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low
Good for new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Medium
Cold tolerance
High
Heat tolerance
High
Blue Heeler Border Collie Temperament
Blue Heeler Border Collies are intelligent, energetic, alert, and keen. They are protective of their families and make ideal family companions. They do well with children and other pets of the family. They are born with natural herding instincts and sometimes herd younger kids and small animals. They are sensitive and tend to bark when stressed or anxious.
Blue Heeler Border Collies don’t do well when left alone for more extended periods and suffer from separation anxiety. They love to be involved in family activities and do errands with their owners. Their overall temperament includes:
Protective
Energetic
Intelligent
Active
Loyal
Stubborn
Alert
Brave
Blue Heeler Border Collie Training
Blue Heeler Border Collies are athletic, obedient, and sometimes stubborn. This makes training a little tricky. Early socialization and training are a must to enable behavior corrections. They are strong-willed and therefore require obedience training in their early stage. They are sensitive, and hence positive reinforcement in training is a must. Training sessions should include lots of praises, snuggles, and dog treats which do wonders. They are prone to wanderlust drive, so leash training becomes mandatory. Their training can consist of the following:
Blue Heeler Border Collies are highly active and need loads of regular exercise. A daily routine of 30 minutes of exercise is ideal for keeping the dog’s mental stimulation intact. Walking 2-3 times a day with lots of space to run and play keeps the dog happy and healthy. They love swimming, agility, and running, and these activities help in both physical and mental stimulation. A proper exercise routine helps the dog with the following benefits:
Social interaction
Weight Control
Stress Relief
Behavioral Corrections like excessive chewing, persistent barking
Brain stimulation
Strengthening Muscles
Routine Toileting
Mental health and happiness
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
High to medium
Playfulness
Medium to high
Blue Heeler Border Collie Grooming
Blue Heeler Border Collies have short coats with low levels of shedding. They are easy to groom, and you must brush the coat 2-3 times per week. Brushing helps remove clump hair and pull out the loose fur during shedding. One of the essential parts of grooming is bathing which keeps the dog clean. However, frequent bathing causes dry skin and itches. Bath your dog using ph-balanced dog shampoos; pet wipes will keep your dog’s coat fresh, clean, and shiny. You can also bathe them once a week. However, daily brushing helps to keep the fur from knots, tangles, fleas, mites, and insect bites.
Blue Heeler Border Collies may also need a coat in the cold temperatures, and it’s best to apply dog sunscreen during summers to avoid rashes and burns.
Blue Heeler Border Collies are prone to collect ear wax quickly. Hence,Ears should be cleaned and regularly checked as they are prone to ear problems. Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque and other dental problems. Never brush the teeth with a stiff brush as it will harm the gums and teeth. Also, make sure to use dog-friendly toothpaste.
Also, clean their eyes and trim their nails as a part of everyday grooming needs. Their toenails must be checked once a week as longer nails may harm and injure the dog. You can trim the toenails with a dog nail trimmer or with the help of a vet or professional groomer.
Border Collie Blue Heelers is a healthy and active dog. Yet, it’s always wise to be aware of the health conditions that will affect them.
Health Overview
General health
Medium
Weight gain tendencies
High
Size
Medium
Collie Eye Anomaly: CEA is an inherited developmental condition usually seen in breeds like Australian shepherds, Border Collies, Shetland sheepdogs, etc. This disorder can lead a dog to blindness.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is outwardly a painful disease that occurs when the bones of the back legs do not fit properly in the joints. While some dogs will exhibit symptoms, the majority of canines will not. Hip dysplasia is primarily genetic, although other causes such as accidents, excessive weight gain, and inappropriate training can also cause it. Even though this disease is fatal, therapies range from medicine to hip replacement surgery. To avoid this problem, avoid breeding dogs with hip dysplasia parentage and get annual examinations.
Other Causes of Hip Dysplasia:
Injuries
Excessive weight gain
Wrong exercises
This condition causes defects or damage to the hip bones and joints and worsens without treatment.
Deafness: A hereditary condition seen in Collies. There is every chance that the mixed breed puppy gets inherited.
Cataracts: An affected eye will look clouded due to the formation of a white film-like coating over the eye lens. Such a condition should not be left untreated as it can result in blindness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Many eye infections involve the retina’s slow deterioration. In the initial phases, puppies become night-blind. As it progresses, they lose their eyesight during the daytime as well. However, most canines slowly adapt to their slight or complete sight loss as long as their home surroundings remain the same.
Spay or Neuter: In spay, the ovaries or uterus in females is removed, and in the neuter, the testicles of the male dogs are removed. It is done to eliminate the possibility of pregnancy or fathering unwanted puppies and decrease the likelihood of certain types of cancer.
Recommended Tests
X-Rays
CT Scan
Eye Examination
Physical Examination
Blood Work
Blue Heeler Border Collie Diet and Nutrition
Blue Heeler Border Collies are medium-sized hybrid dogs. They need a large quantity of high-quality protein food. You can feed your pet 3 to 4 cups of food every day. Each puppy is distinctive, and the correct amount and quality of food depends on age, weight, activity level, health, and more. You can split the meals into two 2 cups daily. They are prone to obesity, and hence overfeeding must be avoided.
The pups can be given dry food, wet food, or a combination of both. Ensure the diet contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, chondroitin, glucosamine, fruits, and vegetables that give energy. Never hesitate to consult a vet to meet your pup’s dietary requirements to keep them happy and healthy.
Blue Heeler Border Collie Living Condition
Blue Heeler Border Collies love to be around humans and create strong bonds. They do well with children, elders, and other smaller pets in the family. They love the attention of their owners and suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. Boredom and anxiety lead to destructive behaviors like chewing and barking. Blue Heeler Border Collies do not suit small spaces and apartments and need homes with bigger yards. They fit in homes with bigger yards where there is space to run.
Blue Heeler Border Collies love outdoor activities like walking, running, playing, and hunting. However, they have a high prey drive and may wander off due to their hunting instincts. Therefore, it is safe to keep dogs leashed or within fenced yards. They are double-coated and can tolerate cold temperatures. They can also moderately accept hot climate conditions.
Adding a Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding a Blue Heeler Border Collieto your family
Getting a Border Collie Blue Heeler puppy from a reputable breeder is best to prevent unavoidable circumstances like health disorders and provide you with vaccination certificates. It is best to check with the puppy’s parents to ensure his health and happiness. Always remember the following red flags to avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills.
Puppies are available around the year.
You can choose from a variety of litter that is always available.
We recommend you visit the puppy and his parents and get health clearance and vaccination certificates, to avoid purchasing a weaker puppy.
