What Is a Blue Heeler German Shepherd?

Every breed of dog has its own special characteristics when it comes to both behavior and looks. Choosing between two breeds is a difficult task for many dog lovers. Many people prefer crossbred dogs, because they combine the intelligence, traits and beauty of their favorite dog breeds. A blue heeler German shepherd dog is a crossbred dog, with qualities from both parents. Yet, it is difficult to know which traits a puppy has inherited.

  1. Blue Heeler

    • The blue heeler, or Australian cattle dog, is bred to herd cattle. The term "heeler" is slang for the breed, and the dog was developed in Australia by crossing dingo-blue merle collies to Dalmatians and kelpies. The average weight of this medium-sized dog is 35 to 50 pounds, and it stands 17 to 20 inches high at the withers. Blue heelers have blue merle or red speckled coats. They are also referred to as red heelers. It is a sturdy, strong and muscular dog, with a dominant temperament. Blue heelers are highly intelligent dogs, which require patience to train.

    German Shepherd

    • The German shepherd, or Alsatian, is a large-sized breed. Its average weight is 77 to 85 pounds; its height is 22 to 26 inches at the withers. The breed was developed in Germany, and it is a working dog, originally bred for herding and guarding sheep. German shepherds are courageous, keen, alert and fearless. Cheerful, obedient and eager to learn, German shepherds are used as police or security dogs. They are loyal dogs, protective of their handlers. It is important to socialize the breed early, and to ensure that they are not left alone for long, since they love to be close to their handlers or families.

    Crossbreeds

    • Most dogs live their lives as companions. Yet, many dog breeds have been produced for a specific purpose, such as for hunting and herding. Crossbreeds are dogs that have been designed by a breeding of two different purebred dog breeds. These kinds of dog breeds have received a lot of attention, and many people choose crossbreeds. Many purebred dogs have developed genetic problems, which are not as prevalent in less uniform populations. Thus, by crossbreeding, you produce a more genetically diverse type of dog. The puppies are less likely to show signs of certain genetic disorders or problems. However, crossbreeding does not necessarily guarantee a genetically healthy dog.

    Characteristics

    • Blue heeler German shepherds are a crossbreed, which means that they cannot be registered in a traditional breed registry. This dog often has the characteristic German shepherd face and other shepherd characteristics. Some traits are dominant, and crossbred dogs tend to inherit certain physical characteristics more often than others. Yet, crossbreeds do vary, and in a litter you can often find puppies that look very different from one another. They can also inherit different personality traits.