A Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix, also known as Cattle Shepherd, is a crossbreed of the Blue Heeler Australian Cattle dog and the German Shepherd. The Blue Heeler, also known as the Queensland or Hall’s Heelers, is recognized as the Australian Cattle Dog (ACD). Like their parent breeds, Cattle Shepherds are magnificent and adorable dogs known for their warm, loving, affectionate, and friendly disposition despite their size. They are brilliant, loyal companions and can protect their owners with exceptional guard dog ability. This baffling and high energetic, unique crossbreed dog responds well to training.
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd is a low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming necessities; however, they are not recommended for novice dog owners due to their bold, dominating demeanor and large size.
Agility Training, Obedience Training, and Swimming
Litter Size
8-10 puppies
6-10 puppies
Life Span
12-16 years
12-14 years
Other Names
Australian Cattle Dog
Alsatian Wolf Dog, Berger Allemand and Deutscher Schäferhund
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Personality
A Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a large-sized dog with 19 to 25 inches in height and weighs between 40 and 80 pounds resembling either the Blue Heeler or the German Shepherd dog. They have a double, water-resistant coat and a strong, muscular elongated body with broad shoulders. Cattle Shepherd has a lean face with a deep muzzle, erect pricked ears, brown, amber, or green eyes, and slight waviness over their legs.
Cattle Shepherds have two types of coat patterns – mottled or speckled. There are fingertip-sized white spotted patches throughout their coat with the mottled type. With the speckled kind, the white hair sticks out randomly.
Cattle Shepherd’s German Shepherd lineage has given the hybrid dog their protecting instinct. They make excellent guard dogs and are trained to become more efficient. They can confine their barking to situations that may call for your attention or alert you of something they suspect. However, Cattle Shepherds are very wary of outsiders; early and proper socialization is needed to familiarize themselves with other people or animals.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-Compatibility
High
Kid-Compatibility
Under Supervision
Pet-Compatibility
Under Supervision
Strangers-Compatibility
Reserved
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
No
Good for Apartment Living
Low
Tolerates being alone
Low
Heat Tolerance
Medium
Cold Tolerance
Low to Medium
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Temperament
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix tends to have a very loyal and courageous temperament. Due to their size and guard personality, the Cattle Shepherds are not suitable for families with younger kids. However, if they are socialized and trained at a very young age, your Cattle Shepherd can learn that he has to be delicate and less domineering around children and other pets. Once they get connected with your family, Cattle Shepherds will be loyal and loving. These breeds flourish on human companionship. So, if you plan to leave them alone for an extended period, this would not be a suitable dog for you.
Here are some of their personality features that you should be aware of.
Needs a dominant leader
Energetic and agile
Loyal and obedient
Excellent guard dogs
Intelligent but stubborn
Strong-willed
High prey drive
Only for experienced dog owners
Not apartment-friendly
Does not like being alone
Will bark, dig & chew if bored
Adaptable to any climate
A great service, working and therapy dog
Even though they are kind and friendly with the family, both Blue Heelers and German Shepherds are working dogs. Hence, they will need proper physical and mental stimulation to stop them from becoming detrimental out of boredom.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Training
As working dogs, the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix tends to be highly trainable, as they would have to perform their responsibilities accurately. However, Blue Heelers and German Shepherds were bred explicitly for security and were wary of outsiders if not socialized properly.
Cattle Shepherds can quickly learn the commands. But, at the same time, they can be stubborn due to their independent personality. So, make sure to start the training from the beginning. Here are some tips for training your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix.
Start the training at puppy age.
Start with simple commands like stay, sit, and stand.
Positive reinforcement, crate, and obedience training are highly recommended for these breeds.
Cattle Shepherds can undergo high-intensity exercise without collapsing – and they can make exceptional exercise companions.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
Medium to high
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
High
Wanderlust Ability
Medium to high
Tendency to Nip, Chew, and Play Bite
High
Tendency to Bark or Howl
High
Attention/Social Needs
High
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Exercise
Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix will require 60 minutes of exercise, twice a day, and an extra three high-intensity exercise sessions per week. Consider substituting their requirement for work and mental stimulation with dog sports. They are a highly agile breed that needs a lot of playtime and exercise. They require lots of physical and mental stimulation and can be an ideal jogging companion. Some outdoor activities to keep your Cattle Shepherd engaged are as follows:
A Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix has a double coat, and they shed moderately throughout the year. Depending on the dominant parent gene, they can have a thick inner coat and a short or medium-sized outer coat. It is crucial to brush their dense coat twice weekly to avoid tangling, shedding, and matting. Bathe them once in four to six weeks or when you feel they stink or are dirty. Regular bathing may cause dry skin and other skin-related infections. In addition, dental cleaning will be essential to avoid periodontal disease. Other grooming requirements include nail trimming and ear cleaning.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
High
Easy to Groom
Medium
Tendency to Drool
Low
Tendency to Snore
Low
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Health
Blue Heeler German Shepherd is a healthy dog that will live for 9 to 14 years, or maybe a little longer. However, the following are the most common health hazards that they may undergo.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium to high
Weight Gain Possibilities
Medium
Size
Large
Hip and Elbow dysplasia: Blue Heelers and German Shepherds generally struggle with this disorder, which may pass on to their offspring.
One in five German Shepherd dogs will generate painful arthritis in their hips or elbows due to unique bone development at the joint.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This type of infection strikes the retina’s photoreceptors. This disorder makes the photoreceptor cells degrade gradually, causing blindness in the affected dog.
Deafness: A hereditary condition prone to Blue Heelers and can be passed on to their heirs, affecting both the ears of the dog. This disease can be tested with the help of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER).
Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus Syndrome): A disorder common in German Shepherd and its mixed breeds. A severe digestive system disorder, the stomach twists, dilates and spins. It can cause extreme discomfort and suffering, damage the blood vessels, and interrupt blood flow to the main organs.
Congenital Hereditary Sensorineural Deafness (CHSD): An inherited disorder and can usually be tested in six weeks. This disease is associated with specific coat traits and abnormal neuroepithelial pigment production.
Cataracts: It is a common cause of blindness in older German Shepherds. The lens of the eyes become cloudy and opaque. Treatment might require surgery for good results.
Pannus is a disease in which the inflammatory cells penetrate the cornea (the clear part of the eye) and darken when exposed to ultraviolet rays, causing blindness.
Epilepsy: It is of three types—reactive, secondary, and primary or idiopathic epilepsy. Reactive seizures are caused by the brains’ reaction to metabolic problems like low blood sugar, toxin, or organ failure. Secondary seizures are due to a brain tumor, trauma, or stroke. If the above condition is not present, the disease is primary or idiopathic epilepsy. The signs of seizures begin as early as six months and three years of age.
Dental Disease: It affects 80% of pets by the age of two. It causes tartar build-up on the teeth, infection of the gums and roots, and in extreme cases, loss of teeth and damage to the kidneys.
Infections: The German Shepherds are prone to certain bacterial and viral infections such as rabies, parvo, and distemper. The viral infection can be prevented by giving a vaccination based on the dog’s age.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Diet and Nutrition
Blue Heeler German Shepherds will take from 1.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food every day, depending on their weight and energy levels. They would require at least 18 % of the protein in their diet to grow and sustain the muscles’ health. Therefore, meat is recommended for them as a source of protein. It is recommended that you follow the diet necessities or consult your vet for personalized advice.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Living Conditions
Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes are unsuitable for small areas and apartment living. The ideal living condition would add a vast yard to run around efficiently with a fence to handle their defensive nature.
A house with a yard is highly recommended as these breeds are hyperactive, enjoy running, and appreciate activities.
Adding a Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding Blue Heeler German Shepherd
Before breeding, the breeder should have done all the necessary tests like genetic testing and vaccination. It would help if you asked for health clearance records. It is advised to buy only from trustworthy and responsible breeders.
Cost of a Blue Heeler German Shepherd Puppy
As Blue Heeler German Shepherds are a relatively new and rare breed, it is unclear how much the pups cost precisely, but it is expected that they will cost between $100 and $800.
