The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is one of the newer hybrid breeds. Breeders developed them 30 years ago. But, what is this dog like?
We know that both the parent breeds are popular and very hard-working dogs. They are also loyal and smart. Their purpose was to be a guard dog and herd livestock. But what do you get when you combine these two breeds?
That’s what we are going to find out. So far we can tell you to expect the unexpected. You know how it is with designer dogs, they are unpredictable. They can be more like one or the other parent brees.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix – What to know
Nowadays there are so many dog breeds. Breeders are even developing new breeds as we speak, for example, the Lycan Shepherd. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.
And it can also get too much when you see how many breeds there are. And, you probably can’t choose. But, the good thing with mixed breeds is that you get traits of two amazing breeds in one dog!
But, let’s see what this mix is like.
What they are like
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix can look like either parent. You could end up with a dog that looks like the Blue Heeler, or the GSD. Or you could have a dog that is somewhere in between. That’s how it is with mixed breeds.
But, we can look at both parent breeds and give you an idea how their puppies could look like.
So, for example, both breeds are big dogs. The GSD is between 22 and 26 inches tall and weighs between 50 and 90 pounds. The Blue Heeler is a bit smaller, being between 17 and 20 inches tall, and weighing between 35 and 50 pounds.
Now that we know that, we can tell you that the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix could be somewhere in the middle. So they might be between 19 and 25 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 80 pounds. The females will usually be a bit smaller.
When it comes to their coats, both parent breeds have a double coat that protects them from the heat and cold. The GSD has a medium-length coat, and the Blue Heelers is a bit shorter. So you can expect their puppies to have a short to medium length, double coat.
A double coat also means a lot of shedding. Especially during spring, when they are blowing their winter coat. So, you will have to set up a daily grooming routine.
Their coat color is hard to predict. The Australian Cattle Dog’s (another name for the Blue Heeler) genes might be a bit more dominant here. So the mix could have a coat that has brown and tan coloring, and also black and grey tones to it.
What they’re like
For this hybrid breed’s nature, we have to look at the parent breeds yet again.
The GSD is a very confident dog. They are intelligent and brave. The Blue Heeler is alert and curious. But, both breeds are loyal and protective to the max.
So, the Blue Heeler German Shepherd dog can have all of the above-mentioned traits.
With the mix, you’ll get a protective, watchdog. But, they might be a bit distrustful towards strangers. That’s why early socialization is a must.
These dogs are intelligent and confident, so they can learn any command and any trick. If you know how to train them of course. We always suggest using positive reinforcement, because it’s proven to work best. Now, also know that this mix can be a bit stubborn. So, they might not be the right fit for first-time owners. They need someone who is experienced and can stay firm with them. But never harsh or cruel!
Training and health
Lastly, we’ll touch upon health and training. As we’ve said this is a smart dog that can learn any trick. But because they are so stubborn they are a bit hard to train. So you should start early on in puppyhood. The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a high-energy canine, so they need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. We’re talking about at least two hours a day of exercise! So, long walks, runs, hikes, games of fetch, and Frisbee. As well as intensive training sessions.
This mix is actually very healthy. And their lifespan is between 11 and 14 years. But, just like any other canine, they can have some health problems. You can’t avoid that.
The most common health problems are hip and elbow dysplasia. They can also have eye problems and many allergies.
To make sure you’re getting a healthy puppy always buy from a reputable breeder. Someone who tests the litter for certain conditions. One part of maintaining their health is feeding them a healthy diet, so buy them high-quality dog food and making sure they get their exercise in.
Are they good pets?
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is a wonderful dog. Smart, brave, and protective. They would do anything to keep their family and home safe. But are they good pets? Well, it depends on what a good pet for you is.
This dog is okay around children, but both the parent breeds were created to herd cattle. So there is a chance they might try to herd your child. That’s why you should never let them and your kid play unsupervised.
Also, they require a lot of time and care. So, if you’re a busy person then this mix definitely won’t be a good pet for you. They need someone who will have enough time for them. Who will know how to train them and take care of them.
Also, if you don’t like designer dogs, then you can check your local shelter or Rescue. There you might find a Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix waiting for you.
Learn more about other German Shepherd mixes:
- Belgian Malinois German Shepherd Mix
- Mini German Shepherd: Result of an unusual mix
- Great Dane German Shepherd Mix
- German Shepherd Doberman Mix
- German Shepherd Beagle Mix: The sassy dog
Learn more about Australian Cattle Dog mixes: