Also known as the Border Heeler, this designer breed has the intelligence and energy of the Border Collie and the Blue Heeler.
Even if it’s not a well-known crossbreed, Border Heelers are uniquely fierce. Let’s learn all the facts about its looks, personality, and health to figure out if this hybrid is right for you.
Contents
- History of the Blue Heeler Border Collie mix
- The Blue Heeler (AKA the Australian Cattle Dog/ACD)
- The origin of the Border Collie
- Physical characteristics of the Border Heeler
- Queensland Heeler Border Collie mix’s coat and color
- The Blue Heeler and Border Collie mix’s personality and temperament
- Is the Border Collie Blue Heeler mix a good family dog?
- Are Border Collie Cattle dogs easy to train?
- Taking care of your Border Collie-Heeler dog
- Diet and exercise suited for the Queensland Heeler-Border mix
- Blue Heeler Border Collie mix health problems
- Looking for Blue Heeler Border Collie puppies for sale
- Blue Heeler Border Collie mix breeders and rescues
- The Pros and Cons of the Blue Heeler Border Collie mix
History of the Blue Heeler Border Collie mix
Learning every aspect of a mixed breed is done by getting to know their parent breeds.
As we mentioned, there’s not a lot of information about the Border Collie-Blue Heeler cross, but its purebred parents are very popular.
Getting an overview of their background and what they’re like gives us an idea of the potential conformation and temperament a Border Heeler may have.
The Blue Heeler (AKA the Australian Cattle Dog/ACD)
Blue Heelers actually have a lot of names. Others call them Australian Heelers, Australian Cattledogs, Hall’s Heelers, Australischer Treibhund, and Queensland Heelers.
The term “heeler” refers to its cattle-herding ability. In fact, this breed had a significant impact on the development of the beef industry of Australia.
The original cattle dogs are known as Smithfields, and they were able to adjust and thrive to the weather conditions in Australia. They are a cross of the British dogs that were sent during the 1800s and the feral Aussie Dingoes.
ACD’s are bred, not only for the herding abilities but for their endurance and toughness as well.
By 1980, the Blue Heeler joined the American Kennel Club. Now, they’re the 3rd most popular dog breed in Australia.
Queensland Heelers are sturdy, agile, and muscular. They have a height of 17 to 20 inches (43 to 51 cm) and a weight of 35 to 50 pounds (16 to 23 kg).
They have smooth, short, and dense double coats that features mottling with patches of two solid colors in a darker shade – red and blue. Aside from the mottled pattern, they can have a speckled hair.
The origin of the Border Collie
Border Collies originated from the Scottish borders. They are a cross between herding canines of the Old Romans and the Viking Spitz dogs.
But nowadays, if you trace a Borders ancestry, they’ll likely be a descendant of Old Hemp. He’s a particularly smart and talented Border Collie that possibly made this breed further excel at their sheep-herding task.
They also excel and dominate different canine competitions like in agility and sheepdog trials. Today, Border Collies have been getting the number one spot as the smartest dog breed.
This purebred has a stocky but elegant build that stands 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) tall and weighs 30 to 55 pounds (14 to 25 kg).
You’d often find them in black and white, with a coat that can either be long and rough or short and smooth. But there’s a vast range of Border Collie colors, which makes them even more stunning.
Both Borders and Heelers are fantastic at what they’re bred to do – herding livestock. But before we discuss the traits they’d pass on to their crossbreed offspring, let’s start with the looks of the Border Collie & Australian Cattle Dog mix.
Physical characteristics of the Border Heeler
The appearance of designer dogs will vary widely as two different breeds are combined. It means that the Border Collie Heeler can inherit the looks of both purebred parents or tend to favor just one.
With parents who have a sturdy, athletic, and compact body, expect the same for the Queensland Heeler-Border Collie mix but a bit taller.
A full-grown Border Heeler’s height is about 18 to 23 inches (46 to 58 cm) and has a weight of 30 to 45 pounds (14 to 20 kg). As with all canines, females are a tad smaller compared to males.
The Border Collie Heeler cross may be on the medium-size range for dogs, but herding or working breeds are involved in their genes. That means, their activity level should be included when thinking of which type of home they’re suited for. Apartments are definitely NOT an option.
This hybrid will thrive in a house with a fenced yard, better yet, a farm or a ranch. They will be happy to have plenty of space to run around and exercise on their own.
Watch this video of a Border Heeler having so much fun outdoors!
Queensland Heeler Border Collie mix’s coat and color
The Australian Cattledog & Border cross has a short- or medium-length double-layer coat. They also have different markings and colors, but they generally are black with speckled white in some areas. Another common combination is mottled red. Other colors are merle, blue and red speckled, and tri-color.
Their undercoat is more visible due to the white, giving them the characteristic of a blue or red look.
Border Heelers are not hypoallergenic and are moderate shedders. Reduce the natural shedding by brushing its hair once or twice a week.
The Blue Heeler and Border Collie mix’s personality and temperament
The looks and color of this designer breed may vary, but the Border Collie and ACD have similar personalities. They’re both smart, energetic, alert, and keen.
One thing’s for sure, keeping the Border Collie Blue Heeler happy as a pet would require time with you.
Is the Border Collie Blue Heeler mix a good family dog?
With or without kids, the Queensland Heeler & Border Collie cross is an ideal companion for active families. Then again, consider what type of dogs its purebred parents are. Borders have high energy levels, while Blue Heelers are a tad calmer but has a protective nature.
Don’t disregard herding tendencies as well. They may do well with children and other pets, but be sure to supervise when your mixed breed pooch is around them as she may nip or herd.
If you concerned with barking, know that this is a sensitive dog. So you can expect occasional to frequent barks.
You also have to make sure that your home is secure because they may have a hunting drive that will cause them to roam and wander. Unwanted behavioral issues can easily be dealt with by interacting with your dog.
Always get your pet involved with you and your family’s activities in and out of the house, such as bringing her with you when doing errands. Outdoor activities like swimming in a lake or the beach, as well as joining canine sports, are great ideas, too!
Are Border Collie Cattle dogs easy to train?
Yes, they are smart and trainable. Not only are they quick when it comes to running, but also learning.
The Australian Cattle Dog Border Collie mixed breed is clever and is eager to please. The challenge to you is that they easily get bored and are stubborn.
If you want to be an owner of this designer breed, you have to come up with different ways for mental and physical stimulation. You have to be gentle while being consistent and firm with rules.
You always have to start with socialization and training during puppyhood, but more so with highly intelligent breeds. Especially since the Border Blue Heeler can be wary of strangers.
Don’t be discouraged if you’re not that experienced with witty, working dogs. Enroll your little fur baby in puppy kindergarten or hire a professional trainer. If you choose to train your pup on your own, don’t think that you’re pushing her too soon. This breed is definitely up for a challenge.
With that said, be smart with the kind of training you give your puppy. By two years of age, a canine’s skeleton is fully developed. Before that, don’t attempt to be excessive with the activities.
Taking care of your Border Collie-Heeler dog
Depending on what type of coat your Border Heeler has, then grooming can range from low to moderate.
Baths should only be given when necessary. Doing it too often will strip the oil from its fur, which helps with the weather-resistant feature of their hair. Do a weekly check of your dog’s eyes and ears to ensure there are no infections or any ailments developing.
Diet and exercise suited for the Queensland Heeler-Border mix
Fuel the seemingly endless energy of your designer pooch with a food that is packed with nutrients. The ingredients and amount to feed her should be based on her size, age, and overall daily activity. It can also depend on the health conditions your dog may have.
It’s up to you what type of diet you should feed your Border Heeler. But dry kibbles are a great source of meat protein. In general, Blue Heelers require about 20 to 35 calories per pound of their weight, while Borders need 30 to 35 calories a day.
Know that treats are included in your pet’s daily diet. Choose snacks that are low in carbohydrates and fats. Aside from being yummy, they should also give a boost of strength.
Keep your Border & ACD mix in shape by providing an hour or two of exercise every day. Go for a run, walks, play a game of fetch, let her catch a frisbee, anything under the sun! With a dense, weather-resistant coat, they’d even enjoy playing or working in the cold or the rain.
Blue Heeler Border Collie mix health problems
Genetics and breeding play a huge role in any canine’s health.
For this crossbreed, it’s essential to be aware of the ailments that are associated with Borders and Heelers. They are generally healthy, but they can still suffer from illnesses that can be passed on to their offspring.
Let’s break down what health concerns the purebred parents are susceptible to.
The Blue Heeler and Border Collie, like many dogs within the medium- to the large-sized range, are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. They also share eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), as well as congenital deafness.
But Borders also suffer from severe neurological problems such as epilepsy and the Border Collie collapse.
Make sure that the parents of the Border Colli-Queensland Heeler hybrid got cleared from health exams such as DNA tests, BAER testing (for deafness), ophthalmologist, and hip and elbow evaluations.
Following a healthy diet and lifestyle, you can expect your Blue Heeler Border Collie mix to have a lifespan of 13 to 17 years.
Looking for Blue Heeler Border Collie puppies for sale
No matter how cute those pups look like in pet stores, avoid buying from them as most of those dogs came from puppy mills and probably have chronic diseases.
Other than seeing medical records of the parent breeds and the litter, a responsible breeder would welcome visits from potential buyers. They’d encourage you to see the environment they live in and to meet the doggo family.
For the cost of a Border Heeler puppy, expect to pay a price of $500 to $800 on average.
The amount you’d have to pay would depend on a lot of factors such as the breeder’s location and the lineage of the purebred parents.
Blue Heeler Border Collie mix breeders and rescues
There’s nothing better than rescuing or adopting a puppy or an adult dog. A lot of canines, especially mixed breeds, get left at shelters for different reasons. But you still can give one or more of these fur angels a chance to be part of a family and feel loved.
Start by signing up with your local animal shelters. Inform them that you’re looking for a Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog mix and to reach you if there’s one available for adoption.
You can visit breed-specific websites and contact them if they have a Border Heeler.
In the US, the BCSA or Border Collie Society of America has a list of rescue groups by state. Check out the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association site or the Come Bye Border Collie Rescue.
Online marketplaces such as Greenfield Puppies have Blue Heeler mixes and Border Collie mixes for sale.
The Pros and Cons of the Blue Heeler Border Collie mix
While there are no guarantees of what the conformation and temperament your Border Heeler may get, you can always refer to what the parental breeds are like to get an idea of how they’d possibly turn out.
From that, we learned that the Australian Heeler & Border Collie cross is a loyal and obedient companion. Whether you are looking for a housemate, a hunting buddy, or a family pet, this designer dog has the potential to make the perfect fit.
If you’re often away for work or a couch potato looking for a lap dog, this is not the dog for you.
They’re highly active and will really enjoy a lot of off-leash time. If your home is spacious and safely secured, the Border Queensland Heeler will love living with you.
Active owners will find this mixed breed as a great companion in the great outdoors. Even if you don’t have livestock for this canine to herd, there are herding trials and canine sports that your dog can join.
No matter what, avoid letting a Border Collie and Australian Heeler hybrid from getting bored to keep them from doing anything destructive. They can become obsessive, protective, and stubborn, but it’s something that interaction and training can fix.
Are you the right match for the Blue Heeler Border Collie mix? Share your thoughts and questions about this cutie by commenting below.