Cattle Dogs

thankfulheart · 08-18-2013, 12:04 PM

Anyone else have Australian Cattle dogs (blue/red heelers)?

We've had 1 for almost 10 years and got another last fall. We love this breed so much, just wondered if there are other ACD lovers here.

WaitPatientlyOnTheLord · 08-18-2013, 12:39 PM

My two are mixes, but I specifically looked for an ACD or ACD mix because I loooved my friends ACD. They are scary smart dogs and just so so lovable and cuddly. Friendly, but protective- in perfect measure. Gentle enough that I used to bring them to work with me at a nursing home, feisty enough that they tried to break through a window to attack an intruder when I lived alone.

Oh but aren't they so pretty?? Mine are both red and I adore the freckles.

I also dont consider them a high-maintenance breed, despite what the books say. They absolutely need mental and physical exercise but my guys have adapted well to apartment life.

Have you noticed your ACD sheds more than other short coat breeds? Im not sure if my guys have that cus of whatever they are mixed with or cus of the ACD. My guys also have 95,062 allergies it seems, to foods. Your ACD have allergies?

Peridot · 08-18-2013, 12:46 PM

My Aunt has a blue heeler. He's got some terrier in there too- more of a bull terrier head- and he is the sweetest, most balanced personality dog I have ever met.

He's gorgeous and gentle when my boys are there.

and I'm not a dog person!!

thankfulheart · 08-18-2013, 04:49 PM

I figured there were others on here that love them!

I love just about everything about them. lol Our older guy, is a blue, and is almost 10 we got when he was 4 months old from a pet store. We didn't even know how bad that could be at the time. He was potty trained in like a week and half and went on to learn all kinds of tricks from there. They tend to bond to one family member and he did with my husband. As soon as he hears him coming in from work he is at the door and doesn't leave his side. But when dh isn't here, he is like that with me. He loves all of us and watches over our kids/nieces/nephews. Our girl, a red, is about 3 years old and we got her last fall from a cattle dog rescue in a neighboring state. She has had some issues we've had to work out, but she's on the road to being a great dog! She has bonded to me and is almost never where she can't see me! lol But she's the same way as the other one when it comes to the kids and family. I have no doubt they would defend us if needed!

They are beautiful! And yes, they do shed a lot. I think they blow their coat once a couple times a year but our weather has been so wacky this summer they seem to be blowing it constantly! Our blue dog doesn't have allergies, but I just had our red at the vet last week because I think she may have.

I think the high maintenance thing differs by dog. One of ours needs more exercise than the other. They adapt so well to wherever they are, as long as they are with their people!

What do you feed them?

klpmommy · 08-18-2013, 04:55 PM

Our 16.5 y/o dog is a blue heeler mix. When he is shaved he gets mistaken for a blue heeler puppy b/c he has the coloration. (He's mixed with dauschand and cocker, but he is 1/2 blue heeler).

He is seriously the best dog ever. Although now he is so old that isn't quite true anymore, but that isn't his fault.

WaitPatientlyOnTheLord · 08-19-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thankfulheart

What do you feed them?

Because of the allergies I have them on a vegetarian, soy free, corn free, wheat free food. Its called v-dog and we have to order it online.

I also wonder if they say the dogs are high maintenance assuming a person who doesnt have a ton of dog experience adopts them. 'Cus I could see how that could be true. They are pretty stubborn, but if you think about that, it makes sense. They were after all bred to stare down a 1200 lbs steer in the face and tell him to do what they want him to do.

KLPmommy, its nice to hear your dog is so old! That makes me hope my doggies will live a long time. They are 7.5 now.

People have asked if Im worried about having the baby around my dogs and I say "no, I'd be more worried to not have my dogs around the baby." I have no doubt in my mind that once my dogs realize the baby is my pup that they would die to protect it- just like I know they would die to protect me. Of course that said, Ill still practice common sense and not leave the two alone together while the baby is little.

klpmommy · 08-19-2013, 08:17 AM

Trevor is excellent around the kids. Even at his age we've never had to worry about him snapping or even snarling at the kids. He tolerates quite a bit.

He had a vax reaction in 2003 and has only received rabies since then. I think that has helped him to live longer, tbh.

I'll upload a pic of him later, he is cute.

Redeemed · 04-08-2014, 09:44 AM

I have a dog that's ½ blue heeler and ½ rat terrier. She herds us and makes sure everyone is in their place. Lol. She's 10 and quite odd looking.

LoveIsGentle · 04-08-2014, 09:53 AM

Do you have pictures? Im trying to visualize that mix and I just can't!

Redeemed · 04-08-2014, 10:39 AM

I'll post one when we get back home. Currently, we are in New Mexico with DD and DGD.

She has the head and coloring of a rat-T. Spots on her feet like a blue heeler. Lol.

Edited to describe dog.

Amber · 04-09-2014, 05:06 PM

Cattle dogs fall into the category of "too smart" dogs for me

I really like my dogs smart enough to train easy, but not so smart as to think up trouble. :shfity

WaitPatientlyOnTheLord · 04-09-2014, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amber

Cattle dogs fall into the category of "too smart" dogs for me

I really like my dogs smart enough to train easy, but not so smart as to think up trouble. :shfity

My DH constantly says my dogs are stupid. Ive tried to explain that they are actually just too smart to mindlessly do what we ask them to do.

Also, did anyone see my thread about heeler dogs heeling the baby? Anyone elses cattle dog heel at the kids?

thankfulheart · 04-09-2014, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Also, did anyone see my thread about heeler dogs heeling the baby? Anyone elses cattle dog heel at the kids

Ours does. Especially when Bug's older cousin is here and they are playing rough. If cousin picks her up and swings her around, our adult female hates it and will bark and jump up at them and as soon as Bug's feet hit the ground she herds her over to me. I love it.[COLOR="Silver"]

Redeemed · 04-09-2014, 05:20 PM

Amber: my lab is too smart for her own good.

08-18-2013, 12:04 PM	#1
thankfulheart Climbing Rose Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,241	Cattle Dogs Anyone else have Australian Cattle dogs (blue/red heelers)? We've had 1 for almost 10 years and got another last fall. We love this breed so much, just wondered if there are other ACD lovers here. __________________ Ann, Wife of 32 years, Mom to Sunshine (31) Bear (23) Colt (19) and Bug (15) Grandma of Bean (9) and Lil Bub (4)

08-18-2013, 12:39 PM	#2
WaitPatientlyOnTheLord Rose Garden I'm most definitely an INFJ. ;-) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: New England, USA Posts: 7,264	Re: Cattle Dogs My two are mixes, but I specifically looked for an ACD or ACD mix because I loooved my friends ACD. They are scary smart dogs and just so so lovable and cuddly. Friendly, but protective- in perfect measure. Gentle enough that I used to bring them to work with me at a nursing home, feisty enough that they tried to break through a window to attack an intruder when I lived alone. Oh but aren't they so pretty?? Mine are both red and I adore the freckles. I also dont consider them a high-maintenance breed, despite what the books say. They absolutely need mental and physical exercise but my guys have adapted well to apartment life. Have you noticed your ACD sheds more than other short coat breeds? Im not sure if my guys have that cus of whatever they are mixed with or cus of the ACD. My guys also have 95,062 allergies it seems, to foods. Your ACD have allergies?

08-18-2013, 12:46 PM	#3
Peridot Rose Garden I stand before you, DeFrocked!! Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Qontinuum Posts: 11,537	Re: Cattle Dogs My Aunt has a blue heeler. He's got some terrier in there too- more of a bull terrier head- and he is the sweetest, most balanced personality dog I have ever met. He's gorgeous and gentle when my boys are there. and I'm not a dog person!! __________________ This is me- and them- ds 'Maximus'- 7.5 yrs, and ds 'Minimus'- 5 yrs. "A normal, imperfect, LUMPEN human being!!" Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. and yet, one day Love himself barged into the Temple with a bullwhip and declared enough was enough. I will testify to Love.

08-18-2013, 04:49 PM	#4
thankfulheart Climbing Rose Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,241	Re: Cattle Dogs I figured there were others on here that love them! I love just about everything about them. lol Our older guy, is a blue, and is almost 10 we got when he was 4 months old from a pet store. We didn't even know how bad that could be at the time. He was potty trained in like a week and half and went on to learn all kinds of tricks from there. They tend to bond to one family member and he did with my husband. As soon as he hears him coming in from work he is at the door and doesn't leave his side. But when dh isn't here, he is like that with me. He loves all of us and watches over our kids/nieces/nephews. Our girl, a red, is about 3 years old and we got her last fall from a cattle dog rescue in a neighboring state. She has had some issues we've had to work out, but she's on the road to being a great dog! She has bonded to me and is almost never where she can't see me! lol But she's the same way as the other one when it comes to the kids and family. I have no doubt they would defend us if needed! They are beautiful! And yes, they do shed a lot. I think they blow their coat once a couple times a year but our weather has been so wacky this summer they seem to be blowing it constantly! Our blue dog doesn't have allergies, but I just had our red at the vet last week because I think she may have. I think the high maintenance thing differs by dog. One of ours needs more exercise than the other. They adapt so well to wherever they are, as long as they are with their people! What do you feed them? __________________ Ann, Wife of 32 years, Mom to Sunshine (31) Bear (23) Colt (19) and Bug (15) Grandma of Bean (9) and Lil Bub (4) Last edited by thankfulheart; 08-18-2013 at 04:57 PM.

08-18-2013, 04:55 PM	#5
klpmommy Deactivated Beware the gorgon, she's having a bad hair day Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DFW area Posts: 54,024	Re: Cattle Dogs Our 16.5 y/o dog is a blue heeler mix. When he is shaved he gets mistaken for a blue heeler puppy b/c he has the coloration. (He's mixed with dauschand and cocker, but he is 1/2 blue heeler). He is seriously the best dog ever. Although now he is so old that isn't quite true anymore, but that isn't his fault.

08-19-2013, 08:17 AM	#7
klpmommy Deactivated Beware the gorgon, she's having a bad hair day Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DFW area Posts: 54,024	Re: Cattle Dogs Trevor is excellent around the kids. Even at his age we've never had to worry about him snapping or even snarling at the kids. He tolerates quite a bit. He had a vax reaction in 2003 and has only received rabies since then. I think that has helped him to live longer, tbh. I'll upload a pic of him later, he is cute.

04-08-2014, 09:44 AM	#8
Redeemed Rose Trellis Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,685	Re: Cattle Dogs I have a dog that's ½ blue heeler and ½ rat terrier. She herds us and makes sure everyone is in their place. Lol. She's 10 and quite odd looking. __________________ Melissa Veteran, 1994-2006. MST Survivor, Nov 1996. Child of God since 07/1982. Wife to Bryan, my best friend and retired soldier, since 06/2014. Mom to DD (02/1998), DS1 (08/2006), and DS2 (01/2009). Two w/Jesus (05/2001) and (12/2004). Stepmom to DSD (06/2007) and DSS (04/2009).

04-08-2014, 09:53 AM	#9
LoveIsGentle Rose Garden Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 10,768	Re: Cattle Dogs Do you have pictures? Im trying to visualize that mix and I just can't!

04-08-2014, 10:39 AM	#10
Redeemed Rose Trellis Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,685	Cattle Dogs I'll post one when we get back home. Currently, we are in New Mexico with DD and DGD. She has the head and coloring of a rat-T. Spots on her feet like a blue heeler. Lol. Edited to describe dog. __________________ Melissa Veteran, 1994-2006. MST Survivor, Nov 1996. Child of God since 07/1982. Wife to Bryan, my best friend and retired soldier, since 06/2014. Mom to DD (02/1998), DS1 (08/2006), and DS2 (01/2009). Two w/Jesus (05/2001) and (12/2004). Stepmom to DSD (06/2007) and DSS (04/2009). Last edited by Redeemed; 04-08-2014 at 10:48 AM.

04-09-2014, 05:06 PM	#11
Amber Rose Garden Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The rainy side of Washington. Posts: 18,232	Re: Cattle Dogs Cattle dogs fall into the category of "too smart" dogs for me I really like my dogs smart enough to train easy, but not so smart as to think up trouble. :shfity __________________ Amber ISFJ Wife to my wonderful DH And keeper of the boys Big M (6/03) Forever ours Dec 2012 C (6/04), Little M (10/05) Forever ours Dec 2012 K (5/06) Missing our foster daughter Miss A

04-09-2014, 05:20 PM	#14
Redeemed Rose Trellis Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,685	Re: Cattle Dogs Amber: my lab is too smart for her own good. __________________ Melissa Veteran, 1994-2006. MST Survivor, Nov 1996. Child of God since 07/1982. Wife to Bryan, my best friend and retired soldier, since 06/2014. Mom to DD (02/1998), DS1 (08/2006), and DS2 (01/2009). Two w/Jesus (05/2001) and (12/2004). Stepmom to DSD (06/2007) and DSS (04/2009).

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