AKA: Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Heeler, Hall’s Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Australischer Treibhund, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler

Description: The Australian Heeler is a powerful and agile working dog with a body a bit longer than it is high. It has a broad head, dark brown oval eyes, and moderately pointed ears. Its teeth forms a scissors bite. Its tail is slightly curved and reaches down to the hock.

Dynamics: The Australian Heeler is one of the most intelligent breeds. Born a working dog, this breed needs to be always in motion. Leaving it alone and making it bored might lead to behavior problems. Training it will require a firm hand and lots of attention.

The Australian Heeler is a loyal and protective dog. It tends to be a one-person dog. This dog can be aggressive and suspicious of people and other dogs. It has to be socialized with children and other pets since puppyhood if it has to get along with them very well. This breed also makes an excellent guard dog.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 32-35 lbs (15-16 kg), females 30-35 lbs (14-16 kg)

Height: males 17-20 inches (43-51 cm), females 17-19 inches (43-48 cm)

Color: The Australian Heeler comes in either blue or red-speckled (Blue Heeler and Red Heeler, respectively). The Blue Heeler may have black, blue, or tan markings on the head with tan points. The Red Heeler is evenly speckled and may have darker markings on the head. The Australian Heeler is born white but the adult color can be seen in the paw pads.

Country of Origin: The Australian Heeler was developed by pioneer settlers in Australia in the 19th century. The breed came from a mix of smooth blue-speckled Collie imports form Scotland and wild Australian Dingoes. Other breeds crossed to make the Australian Heeler are the Australian Kelpie, Dalmatian, and Bull Terrier.

Grooming: The Australian Heeler has a short water-resistant coat so it is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a bristle brush. Bathe only when needed.

Activities: The Australian Heeler has a great amount of energy to use. Exercise and work are important for this breed. The Australian Heeler’s talents consist of retrieving, herding, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.

Other Info: The Australian Heeler has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. It is generally healthy but is prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, and deafness. The Australian Heeler is not suited for apartment life. It will fare better in a home with a wide and open yard or field nearby.

AKA: Australian Schaferhund, Aussie

Description: The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced medium-sized dog. It has ears that stand high and are triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. The eyes are oval, and they come in brown, blue, amber, or any other variation including flecks and marbling.

The Aussie has a body that is slightly longer than its height. The head has a moderate stop and the jaws form a scissors bite. Rear dewclaws are removed whereas the removal of the front dewclaws is optional. The feet are compact and oval.

The coat of the Australian Shepherd can be straight or slightly wavy, and is weather-resistant. The hair is short and smooth on the head, on the ears, forelegs and hocks. The hair around the ears and eyes should not be white. The back of the foreleg is a little feathered and the breaches are a little more full. The Aussie also has a mane and frill that is more pronounced in the males than in females. It also has a docked bobtail if the tail is more than 4 inches.

Dynamics: The Australian Shepherd is an easy-going, courageous, and affectionate dog. It is devoted to its master and family, and is great with children. They are naturally protective, very attentive, and very eager to please. It is a highly intelligent breed, easy train and very active.

The Aussie needs a lot of exercise and work, otherwise it can become nervous and self-destructive. It also has to be socialized from puppyhood. The Aussie is also not very aggressive, and is considered by many to be quiet workers.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: males 50-65 lbs (25-29 kg), females 40-55 lbs (18-25 kg)

Height: males 20-23 inches (52-58 cm), females 18-21 inches (46-53 cm)

Color: The Australian Shepherd can come in blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver), with or without white markings and tan or copper points.

Country of Origin: The Australian Shepherd was actually bred in the United States and not in Australia. It was bred to help as a herding dog on ranches. Today, the Australian Shepherd is still used for retrieving, herding, watchdogging, guardian, police work, narcotics detection, search and rescue, agility, competitions, and agility.

Activities: As the Australian Shepherd is a very energetic dog, it need to be taken to daily exercises and walks. Physical exercises will be good for the breed. If left alone, it will become restless and destructive.

Grooming: Grooming the breed requires only a little attention. Brush occasionally and bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Health concerns cannot be avoided, however. The gene for the merle coloration carries with it a blind/deaf factor. The Aussie puppy may also have serious spinal defects due to natural bobtail-to-natural bobtail breedings. Other concerns include the catract and CEA. Minor health concerns include CHD, nasal solar dermatitis, Pelger-Huet syndrome, and iris coloboma. Lumbar sacral syndrome, epilepsy, PRA, vWD, distichiasis, PDA, PPM, eye and hip dysplasia, and IMHA.

The Australian Shepherd is not suitable for apartment life. A home with a large yard will do fine.