Border Heeler is another term for the Border Collie Blue Heeler hybrid. It is a highly active, fierce, and intelligent canine breed. This fido will surely be the best choice if a smart companion dog is what you are looking for.
However, no dog fits everyone. Here are some details regarding the Border Heeler’s behavior, care requirements, and health. See if those aspects of this dog breed are anything you can easily manage.
So, to cut down your excitement, here are amazing facts and useful info regarding this sociable designer fido.
History & Origin of Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix
Knowing the parent breeds provides an opportunity to learn about every facet of a mixed breed. We can get an indication of the possible appearance and temperament of a Border Heeler by learning about their history and personalities.
The Border Collie Parent
The American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks the Border Collie as the 33rd most commonly purebred dog in the US. The Border Collie is among the greatest farm dogs available. It has a robust herding instinct and its development as a working sheepdog happened in early farming villages along the English and Scottish borders.
There is a connection between the Border Collie’s heritage and the Scottish Borders, which gives them their name. Supposedly, their origins are a hybrid between hefty herding dogs, which have been used during the Roman times, and diminutive Viking Spitz varieties.
Descended from Old Hemp, the Border Collie of today’s time is a very gifted and intelligent herding collie.
The Blue Heeler Parent
The ‘heeler‘ side of their name refers specifically to their capacity to herd cattle, and this type of dog played an important role in the early evolution of Australia’s meat industry.
In the 1800s, the authority brought British dogs to Australia to herd cattle. But, they seem unable to thrive in a severe environment. As a result, work on developing a better cattle dog proceeded.
It came to the combination of the original cattle dogs or the Smithfields with feral Dingoes from Australia, and several other breeds like Kelpies, Dalmatians, and Collies. Then, these crossbreeds gave way to the birth of the Blue Heeler. And in 1980, the American Kennel Club accepted it.
Characteristics of Border Collie Blue Heeler
Because two distinct breeds are mixed, the looks of designer dogs will differ greatly. It indicates that the Border Collie Heeler can have the appearance of either a purebred parent or a preference for one. Further, a Border Heeler mix can live for up to 16 years. Blue heelers can live between 12 and 16 years, while border collies can live between 12 and 15 years.
Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix Appearance
A fully mature Border Heeler stands between 18 inches to 23 inches tall and weighs between 30 to 45 pounds. Females, like other dogs, are slightly smaller than males. Presume the Blue Heeler Border Collie hybrid to be taller than its parents, who have a robust, athletic, and bulky build.
The Border Collie Blue Heeler mix usually have heterochromic eyes. Heterochromia in Border Heeler crossbreed is a hauntingly beautiful phenomenon in which they have two different eye colors. Some dogs display blue eyes, while others may have golden, amber, or brown color.
Border Heeler Coat
The double-layer coat of the Australian Cattledog and Border cross is short to medium in length. They have a variety of markings and shades, but mostly, they come in black with some mottled white.
Mottled red is also a popular combo. Blue, red speckled, merle, and tri-color are some of the other colors available. Because of the white, their undercoat seems to be more visible, producing them a blue or crimson appearance.
Temperament & Behavior of Border Heeler
Intelligent, alert, and loyal, are the attitudes of a Blue Heeler. They are also incredibly robust, and adept at herding cattle for hours in extreme heat. On the other hand, Border Collies are intelligent, athletic, and exceedingly fast. This is true both regarding learning and during running!
The Border Collie Heeler mix shares many characteristics, including intellect, stamina, and competitive drive. These characteristics are likely to be passed on to your mixed breed puppy. Without proper physical and mental stimulation, the Blue Heelers and Border Collies easily get bored. The possible creation of mischief may be an outcome of it.
How Friendly Is this Mix?
A Border Collie with a Blue Heeler mix will be brave, agile, and eager to stay active. It will possess herding and guarding tendencies, and it may be wary of strangers and unfamiliar situations. With that, it requires as much access to a wide variety of settings and people as possible to get acquainted with the interesting ‘non-herding’ environment surrounding it.
Any hybrid composite dog that is powerful, energetic, and has an adventurous drive should receive discipline and early socialization. It will want to explore and run around, but be careful around little kids as it may become very enthusiastic and bite them!
Is It a Good Family Dog?
The Border Heeler hybrid is an excellent dog for active families, whether they have children or not. Take into account the breeds of dogs that its purebred parents are. Border Collies are high-energy dogs, but Blue Heelers are quieter but protective.
If barking is your concern, keep in mind that this breed is a sensitive furry friend. An occasional or frequent barking may be expected. You must also ensure that your house is secure, as they may be driven by a prey drive that causes them to stray and explore. Interacting with this hybrid can help you to manage undesirable behavioral challenges.
How Is It With Other Pets?
The Border Heeler is a herding dog, indicating that he can tolerate being near some animals without causing harm. This is certainly relevant to this breed, so exposing it to cats or other domestic pets should be relatively easy. However, keep an eye on it, especially when there are other pets around because of the nipping tendency. Remember that one of their parents Border Collie may nip or herd.
Training & Exercise of Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix
A crossbreed between a Border Collie and a Blue Heeler is a highly clever, confident, and hyperactive dog. It will quickly become monotonous, thus training should include combined physical and mental difficulties, preferably in short sessions to keep the Border Heeler mix entertained.
Patience, positive reinforcement, and reward-based training are the most effective methods. But cruel treatment may cause this intelligent dog to refuse to participate longer. Agility, discipline, obedience, and socialization training are the required training for it.
Moreover, here are some of the good training recommendations for a Border Heeler mix in case you do not want to hire a professional dog trainer:
1-Establish the basic word commands
Look for keywords like down, sit, and stop. Also, be consistent every time you are using those words.
2-Crate training
Purchase a crate and train the Border Heeler mix to enter and stay in it. You will have to secure the cage, in the beginning, to teach your pooch that it can sleep and travel inside it.
3-Potty training
There is an overlook for potty training for any easily stimulated new puppy and lacks control. But, there are available devices such as carpets and odor sprays that encourage the puppy to go to the same location every time. With your support, the puppy will eventually understand where to go and where not.
4-Leash training
Border Heeler pups are highly energetic which means that they are capable of walking long distances. With that in mind, it is good advice to learn voice commands and other safety awareness rules on the road.
Is It a Good Cattle Dog?
Despite their origins on opposite sides of the globe, both the Border Collie and the Blue Heeler are indeed livestock herding dogs with many similar qualities. The breeding and training of both breeds are for their outstanding intellect and abilities to herd livestock including cattle and sheep.
Aside from that, both breeds have enormous amounts of stamina, energy, and natural herding capacities. They are smart and transitioned to even be equipped to herd and work autonomously of their master’s directions when they are out of range making them good cattle dogs.
Food & Diet of Border Collie Heeler Dog
To keep Border Collie Heeler mix fueled up, you will need to feed them high-quality dog food. Give about 2 to 2.5 cups of dog food two times a day to a Border Heeler. However, considering the dog’s age, weight, body size, and level of activity, this proportion may increase or decrease to some extent.
The most commonly suggested dog food for Border Collie Heeler mix is a protein-rich high-quality kibble. It is also good if the ingredients list contains glucosamine and chondroitin. These two ingredients support the joint health of this cross mix.
Moreover, for a silky, lustrous coat, purchase a kibble formula high in fatty acids of Omega 3 and 6. Unfortunately, the odds are that the diet of a Border Collie-Heeler mix is still lacking in nutrients. Supplementing the dog’s diet with vitamins and supplements is the best idea.
Alaskan Salmon Oil is among the best options for a Border Heeler diet. It generally contains Omega-3 fatty acids that maintain the good health of the dog’s coat and skin. Also, consider incorporating probiotics into your dog’s diet to promote the condition of his liver and kidneys. Furthermore, carrots are high in fiber, vitamin A, and potassium so do not forget to provide this to your mix.
Health of Border Collie & Blue Heeler Mix
When it comes to the health of a canine, both the key players are genetics and breeding. It is critical to understand the diseases that Borders and Heelers have in common for the sake of this crossbreed. In general, the parent breeds are healthy enough. Yet, they can still acquire some diseases that can be passed on to their descendants.
Here are some genetic problems and health concerns that a Border Heeler cross may acquire.
Minor Health Issues
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Cataracts
Serious Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia
- Deafness
- Collie Eye Anomaly
Male vs Female
Although the intact male Border Heeler mix live longer and healthier, they are nonetheless vulnerable to health problems. Testicular cancer, prostate difficulties, and disorders that cause cysts and infections are more common in healthy male Border Heeler. On the other hand, neutered male dogs of this mix with decreased testosterone may develop the potentially fatal malignancy hemangiosarcoma.
Spayed female canines of this crossbreed come in second to intact male Border Heeler in terms of lifespan length. Reproductive illnesses also affect the female Border Heeler mix too. Unspayed female Border Heeler are more likely to develop glandular and uterine cancer. Spayed incontinence, hypothyroidism, and urinary tract infections are the health issues affecting spayed females of this breed.
Finding a Border Collie Heeler Puppy
Looking for a Border Collie Heeler mix is somehow challenging. Yet, you may find dogs on adoption or rescue facilities. There are also some breeders who are selling this amazing designer dog.
If ever you discover a Border Heeler mix dog breeder, do your homework before carrying your new puppy home. Keep in mind that this cross is something rare than those other crossbreeds. Avoid puppy factories and pet retailers, in which there is a lesser prioritization of the rights and wellbeing of both puppies and parent canines.
A good recommendation for this is a trustworthy breeder. They generally allow you, as a potential pet owner, to see both parents’ dogs. Further, they are much more willing to discuss any tests that the pups may have undergone especially about their health.
How to Raise this Puppy
All pups deserve our time and effort. So, it is not surprising that Border Collie Blue Heeler pups will most probably be witty and find enjoyment in all the aspects of training. In case you do not give time for puppy training, the Border Heeler pup may be bored. They may also tend to display some bad habits. Positive reinforcement is a good option for this intelligent crossbreed.
Is Border Heeler Right For Me?
Border Heeler is the right dog for you if you want a buddy that spends lots of time outside. A Border Heeler is also a good fit for those who have a decently large family with lots of space especially on the outdoor.
This is the best dog for families who have lots of time commitment to training, as they need daily mental stimulation and are good at socializing with other dogs and their owners.
Pros of having a Border Collie Blue Heeler Breed
As a bonus, the Border Collie Heeler mix is very obedient especially when trained. That means that they are already prepared and just willing to obey you during long-distance walks off-leash.
Additionally, they are faithful to their family members and love adventure. Do not expect them to bark that much, not unless they have a valid reason for doing it.
Moreover, here are some other reasons for loving a Border Collie Heeler mix:
- One of the most intelligent dogs mixes available
- Easiest dog breed to train
- Friendly to kids and other dogs
- Loyal and a great companion for families with an active lifestyle
- Very much willing to serve
- Highly adaptable
- Require lesser grooming
Cons of having a Border Collie Blue Heeler Breed
Considering its Blue Heeler parent, leaving this dog alone for a long period makes them bored. Not providing enough socialization at an early age may lead them to tend towards being too possessive. Since it is also like the Border Collies to quickly get bored, this may result in destructive behavior, like chewing furniture.
They may develop social issues with small kids and other pets because of their too much passion for herding. Expect the breed to be aloof with strangers due to the loving nature of the Border Collie with their families.
Here are the other disadvantages of owning this kind of dog crossbreed:
- Require too much high level of energy
- Need to release their energy in an open space
- Not a hypoallergenic dog breed
- The great impulse to wander
Final Thought
The Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix or the Border Heeler, as its other name, is a loving, active, and clever designer dog that demands regular attention and care. Working dogs by nature, both the Blue Heeler and Border Collies enjoy spending much of their time and activity with their owners.
The Blue Heeler Border Collie cross might be just the right one for you if you are after a smart, local and active furry friend. Provide them enough exercise, appropriate training, and the care they deserve, to support your dog in the growing process. Moreover, they will also turn out to be the perfect companion for you.
