Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

Just wondering. I've always been a big lab fan for my hunting needs and such but I've been thinking of adding a blue heeler pup to the family for a general all around companion and possible hunter. I've heard some people say they can make good squirrel dogs and good shed/tracking dogs. If anyone could shed some light on this i'd appreciate. I know it varies from dog to dog but wasn't sure if it might be a more prominent trait among them for hunting type activities.

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

Not to sure about shed finders but a real gd dog for the family and kids if brought up from a pup . My buddy has one just a big sweetheart they have to keep her in the house in the mornings because she was always herding the kid,s back from the road when they wait for the bus she,s pushing or pulling them back to the house. She,s only doing what she was told she herds cattle/horse,s etc but has a dislike to strange dogs and will not listen to any one if the coyotes come up near the house.Other then that the kid,s help train her so she will listen to any one in the family they also like room to run/roam just depends how they are trained and treated.

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

These are tough dogs. They are great family dogs but will not be to fond of strangers or other dogs. The most bad ass dog i have ever seen was a blueheeler on my uncles ranch, he has killed 2 cyotes and has survived a cougar fight and killed a deer, i swear this is no lie, he is one tough customer but is a darn good dog.

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

When i was growing up we had a couple blue and red healers. Theyare great family dogs but when someone new is around be sure to watch them they are quick to turn a 180 on a stranger. The ones that we had would get bored easy when we werent working them and would get themselvesinto trouble if they werent pinned up or working.

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

I agree. We had one when I was a teen in NM. She was tough as nails and 100% animal, but what a sweet heart. If not kept busy will chew on and through anything. They are also smart but thick headed. She wouldn't quit jumping up on us and I worked with her just as the vet told us and it had no affect (slight knee to the chest and firm "no"). I could have beat her to death and she wouldn't have cared.If we were running in the back yard she would grab your foot and put you on your face. She could tackle anyone. I once saw a heeler/rotweiler mix. This dog was tough. Got kicked in the head by a cow it was messing with and didn't phase it.

Our heeler was protective but we didn't have to worry too much. She did place herself between us and others. She even pushed my grandpa away from my dad when he was giving him a hug. They are pretty heavy shedders if I remember correctly. Ours was on the large side and most I've seen are smaller.

I bought a car from a guy who had two heelers and used them to run rabbits. He said he didn't have to train them they just did it. He had a beagle pup he kept at home as a pet. I imagine that they could be trained to do just about anything.

If I had time and property I'd have a heeler and or a border collie in addition to a hunting dog.

Spud

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

I have a heeler that we adopted from a rescue organization -- she was the runt of the group, and nobody wanted to adopt here even though the breed is in high demand in our area as stock dogs. She is 2 now, and is a wonderful family dog. Gets along great with the other dogs (A Corgi and a APBT) as well as kids, although she's a very high-energy dog. She also has a cat she adopted, and they adore/groom each other. I will second the comment that they are very heavy shedders. I've used her for rabbits and squirrels, and she does great on both, but can be hard to keep in check at times, especially with her speed -- this is a wicked fast breed of dog. Not sure about as a dedicated sporting dog, but overall, you will find few nicer breeds.

Kris

RE: Anyone own or have experience with blue heelers
 

I know they can sometimes have a temperment with strangers. I know with my labs I try to get my wife to work with them enough for them to respect her as a leader as well. Which the stranger thing can be good as well being the dog would be with me or my wife in the house or around it and my wife has been wanting a dog that would be protective and a good watchdog. when it comes to that my labs are abunchapuddin's.