Queensland Heeler a dog of many colors.

3:31 PM Posted by rockrunner


Often times I have told people I have a Red Heeler for a dog. I get asked "Wow, is that like a Blue Heeler?" Yes, Yes it is. I have one of those too and they are the exact same breed. As a matter of fact these dogs have several names; Red Heeler, Blue Heeler, Halls Heeler. The American Kennel Club would refer to them as Australian Cattle Dogs. A more generic name is Queensland Heeler. The term Red Heeler or Blue Heeler are a reference to the color of the dog, not a different breed. Queensland Heelers that are brown, are referred to as Red Heelers and Queensland Heelers that are grey or black are called Blue Heelers. Two Red Heelers can have a Blue Heeler and two Blue Heelers can have a Red Heeler. A Blue Heeler and a Red Heeler do not produce a purple dog. There is one difference between a Queensland Heeler and an Australian Cattle Dog. To be American Kennel Club certified they cannot have a docked tail. In other words the Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler are unwanted dogs by the American Kennel Club, because they don't have tails.

Queensland Heelers came about in Australia in the 1800's. When the ranching of cattle started to move further west, ranchers started to notice that the dogs they had been using couldn't keep up or get the job done in the deserts harsh environment. Years of experimentation yielded what we have now, the Queensland Heeler. I have read numerous books and sources about the creation of the cattle dog. There is numerous speculation about what type of dogs went in to the creation of the Red Heelers and the Blue Heelers. I don't think anyone really knows. One expert claims to know one theory and another expert claims a completely different theory. The most common combination that comes up more than any other is: Blue Merle Collie, Australian Kelpie, Dalmation, Dingo, and Staffordshire Terrier.

The Blue Merle Collie apparently has the smallest influence on Red Heelers. Their only noticeable contribution is the grey color in the Blue Heelers. Red Heelers get their coloring from one of the other breeds.

The Australian Kelpie was chosen for its innate ability to work cattle. Heelers are natural herding dogs. Queensland Heelers will nip the heels of cattle to get them to start moving, a trait that non-working dogs still carry and has given many dogs an aggressive reputation. This is why they have the name heeler, a trait they most likely inherited from the Kelpie.


The Dalmation was chosen for its natural love and affinity for horses. If you ever see a picture of an old horse drawn fire engine and a Dalmation on the seat, now you know why. Dalmations can naturally tell the difference between a horse and a cow. Nothing could be a bigger annoyance than having your dog heel your mount. The Dalmation's DNA is why Queensland Heelers are born white.

The Dingo was chosen for its endurance, stamina and ability to withstand and survive in Australias western desert. A Red Heeler unlike the Blue Heeler gets its coloring from the Dingo. Dingos were too wild and aggressive to work cattle so they had to mix it with others to make it trainable. Don't underestimate your heeler though. One animal biologist has suggested that the Queensland Heeler is as close as you can get to owning a wild animal without a special permit.

Lastly is the Staffordshire Terrier. Did I mention that the Queensland Heeler nips at the heels of the cattle to get them to move? Well if you are going to be working with your teeth all day, you are going to need a strong bite.


Now that you know that Blue Heelers, Red Heelers, Queensland Heelers, Halls Heelers and Australian Cattle Dogs are all the same dog, you can watch these movies which have featured a heeler. "Last of the Dogmen", "The Road Warrior", "Secret Window" and more recently "The Incredible Hulk".

31 comments:

leslie said...

so are the heelers really Heinz 57?

rockrunner said...

Yes. They just kept mixing them until they got the traits they wanted and then started interbreeding the ones that had those traits with each other.

BrideToBe said...

Komet's definitely got the nipping down. I actually learned something from this I didn't know before.

Unknown said...

We have a blue healer, probably one of the smartest dogs I have ever seen, and protective.

cowabunga said...

The herding dog apparently used was a North Umberland Drover's dog, imported from the Scotland/Yorkshire area where Thomas Hall's family lived. He crossed those with Dingoes and kept all the pups himself. After he died. others may have experimented. I read one place where Robert Kaleski in the early part of the last century wrote up his ideas of what went into to the breed and it's possible it's supposition. There is no merle gene in the breed...it's a ticking gene that gives them their speckling. The solid color spots are what color they'd be without that ticking gene. It's also not the same gene that give Dalmatians their spots! AKC Cattle Dogs must be able to trace their pedigree back to the late 1800s Hall's Heelers. Many dogs that came to the US after WW2 were bred back to Dingoes, and were removed from the AKC breeding programs. All the names are used informally with the breed, regardless of tails or no tails. But the ones whose tailed are docked cannot be shown. To add to the confusion, there IS a Stumpy-Tail Cattle Dog that is born with a short tail and is its own breed. Docking tails on cattle dogs is a fad, and I wish it would stop. Please don't request a breeder or vet to do it, and quit buying pups that have been docked. Dogs use their tails for balance, for turning, and for communication. It doesn't get in their way when they are working. I see more and more heelers with blue eyes, and I am not sure why. Must be a recessive gene or maybe they come from a line where some other breed carrying the blue-eyed gene was infused into some past breeding program. I also don't think there was any Kelpie originally infused into the breed. I believe these are all suppositions of Robert Kaleski to explain why (he figured) the dog looked as it does. Their noses should be black...I am now seeing other colors, such as chocolate, with amber eyes and brown noses...don't know if they can be registered or not. Again it might be a recessive gene and breeding for traits from recessive genes can bring on problems...read about Dalmatians and the serious health and temperament problems they're having now. Anyway, it would be fun to get comprehensive DNA tests done by several AKC breeders to see what it shows. Not trying to argue with anyone...just love the breed and research of its origins. Regardless of what's in them, I love, love. love these dogs!!!

Jazzymouse said...

I think from what I've read we have a kelpie. Very aggressive when company is a concern. Any help in that respect. He's very intelligent and curious.

Unknown said...

Your comment was fantastic! My Cattle Dog which was given to me runs all day. I use to think my Border Collies were athletic, but this little guy is really athletic! Great dogs!

Unknown said...

Fascinating! We recently took in a stray red heeler mix. When we couldn't find his home we considered rehoming him, but he is so smart and has a wonderfully calm disposition. He loved being outside, [which makes my husband happy. He was raised on a farm & doesn't like dogs inside much. Unfortunately I like dogs inside] so we've decided to keep him. His coloring is interesting - he has a brown nose & green eyes, but the traditional red heeler coat.

Unknown said...

I would love to get advice on this as well. My girl is 4 years old. I haven't been very successful in keeping her from herding people. She only does it with strangers and people she has only met a few times. Once she knows you and give her attention she stops. Also, which is a big concern is small children under about 12 years of age. No matter how many times she has met them, she'll run up behind them as they walk by and start nipping at their ankles. Obviously that's unsettling but even more so for the kid.
I HATE it because people always say "your dog tried to bite me!". I have to hold on to her around strangers and kids like she's a threat. People also think she's a pitbull sometimes and think she's going to maul them. It's a little annoying that I have to explain the breed to people all the time. I feel like I'm making excuses for her behavior constantly. Other than that she's a fabulous dog and I wouldn't trade her for the world.
She loves her family with complete devotion. She comes when we call her, even from a distance. She's very submissive to her family at home. My cat even has her in check, but she loves chasing feral cats and bunnies that roam around our property in the country.
She's so sweet and loveable and very smart. It's just the nipping. When I tell her no after she nips, she's knows exactly what she did and gives me puppy dog eyes like she is sorry but then do it again 2 minutes later. Ugh! Occasionally she even growls at other dogs when they get mad at her for nipping them. A couple fights have almost broke out because of it. I hope she's not a ticking time bomb. I'm scared she might actually hurt someone or another animal and I'll be charged and ordered to put her down. I would be devastated if that happened.

Suzanne said...

Bummer but nipping is their job. Just for anyone thinking of having a heeler you might try this. My heeler is 3 now and the very first interactions for socialization I used were to friends and family with babies(infants)! and young children. I always introduced them and used the termonology “it’s a baby” . He has never once tried to nip anyone. Any new intro human cat dog chicken is introduced as a baby. He cannot get enough love from any one person and only herds cattle on the ranch. BUT he knows his job is to protect my cats chickens etc. and any interloper who may make the mistake of getting through to his property may not leave alive. He protects to the death,literally. They have no fear which is in itself a bit unnearving due to their small stature. Quick agile and proud of their achievments. Fun with frisbees balls swimming jumping etc. These dogs are amazingly smart and will keep you laughing and busy! Headstrong so you must be the boss. They always try to outsmart you!

Suzanne said...

P.S. I keep a small container(like fishermen have plastic with screw on lid for hooks etc) and have pea gravel in it. Anything that makes noise. Beans etc. when I shake it he stops cold from whatever he needs correction on.Has worked like a charm on all my dogs. Gets their attention instantly.

Just jp said...

Our red and blue HERDED U & sometimes friends that with us. Especially if in acrowd, they herd us away from large # of "strangers".

They are Uber smart and very alpha oriented and protective

Aaryn said...

That's a great idea! Thanks!

Unknown said...

Yes, pretty much all dog are.

Unknown said...

My Australian Heeler/Healer is a magnificant being. She is extremely intelligent, intuitive, and beautiful. My Heeler/Healer knows crazy when she sees it, which makes her protective.i am Blessed that we are together.

Unknown said...

What are some things people don't know about blue heelers because people might be conserned about their dog

Unknown said...

i have a blue heeler of my own

Unknown said...

Hey, your dog sounds very similar to one I've come across and I've been trying to figure out what she is, would you be able to send me a picture of him?

Unknown said...

My red boy is still a puppy. I appreciate your input. This is our first Acd. We have had akitas in the past wondering how this will compare.

Anonymous said...

Also known as the Queensland heeler or blue heeler, the Australian Cattle Dog is a feisty breed from the "land down under." Definitely one-of-a-kind, uncannily intelligent and tenacious, cattle dogs possess remarkable herding ability.


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Unknown said...

I keep hearing that queenslands are the same as Aussie Cattle dogs. They ARE NOT, imo. Cattle dogs are smaller and way more aggressive, Queenslands have the same colorings but are a tad taller and so much more people oriented, imo. My Katie used to nip at bicyclists and kids, but she respects me so much and hates it when she displeases me that it didn't take long for her to stop that behavior. As any heeler owner will tell you in the very first sentence when describing their dog, they are wickedly smart. I mean to the point of almost snickering to themselves when they've out-smarted you. I did do one thing, however, that may have affected her behavior. A friend wanted to adopt from the pound. I drove and put Katie on a leash as we strolled the compound. God's honest truth here.... Katie has behaved like an angel for two years after that. Recently, she's been a pill for some reason, so I took her again and slowly walked around the shelter, looking at and talking to other dogs. This breed hates nothing more than seeing you give love to another dog. I mean, she can get petted all day long by other folks, but if I try and pet another dog?? Look out. hahah. I just love her to death.

Anonymous said...

Slightly longer than tall with curved, hanging tails, they have muscular legs and strong necks and broad, somewhat rounded heads with pointy ears. Their dense, weather-resistant coats come blue, blue mottled, blue speckled or red speckled—both with possible dark or tan markings.
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Unknown said...

I have a mix red heeler they say she was a red tick coonhound mix but definitely NOT she is heeler through and through with the agressive toward guests and strangers other than her family who she is devoted to.

Unknown said...

So its basically proven since 2017 that the Genetic makeup the "ACD" tailed. Officially recognised "pure" breed is:

Dingo
Northumberland Merle Droving Dog


Thats it^. Just those two.

Bull terrier, Dalmation, and especiallh Staffies are out of the question.

1. ACDs dont grab and hold bites... They bite multiple times and insure they do damage and get out safely. Like Dingoes. Staffies and Terrier lock their bites.

2. The Merle Drovers Dog was famously kind and loyal to its family, and horses. Its very unlikely dalmation was ever used.

This simple answer explains why theres only 2 coat colours... Blue favouring the Merle Drovers Dog DNA and Red favouring the Dingo DNA.

Unknown said...

The dog has been bred to work,nip for years,years ago people knew not to pat ,touch another person's dog, the master of the dog knew to keep a close eye on hes dog,or tie it up ect if it wasn't working when other people around. Now days, every one wants to go out of their way to pat, play ect another's dog. And ive had heated arguments from telling people don't pat the dog, eg, mine allways in back of my ute, i park as far away fom anyone as possible at shop, pub ect.and at least twice had people threaten to sue me cause the dog bit them. What do u think when u see a ute loaded with chainsaws, tools ect and a heeler in the back with its bristles up. I must see things differently to a lot of people. The dog is there to stop my gear walking away from the ute. I was taught and my kids know, dont pat a dog unlless its urs, puppy school my backside, the people need educating way b4 the dog

Unknown said...

Had qld blues,reds and a red stumpy, no difference in aggression at all. All come from working parents. Only difference i can c is a smaller dog is handyer than the bigger in cattle yards, thick scrub.no difference at all in temperment

Unknown said...

A good heeler will bite a dozen times in seconds,and usually low.

Unknown said...

I Agree with you 100%! If it's not yours, DON'T Touch It! Unfortunately, not everybody gets thought that and Has To Be Taught That by My Queensland/Rottweiler Mix and/or Myself in end. My current Queensland/Rottweiler Mix Is the Best Worker, Livestock Guardian, Car/Truck/Home Guard Dog yet. The next mix is going to be Queensland/Rottweiler/Akita mix or a Queensland/Akita/Pit Bull Mix ..... Working Dogs shouldn't just do their job & intimidate. All Thieves, Trespassers and other Worthless Trash Nds To Be Taught a Lesson (Life or Death)

Unknown said...

Has anyone had a heeler with super long fur at the end of the tail. I have a red heeler mix with about 20 peices of fur 3.5 inches long on her tail. It's really cute but odd.

Unknown said...

Good reply, I totally agree with the tail docking.

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