Australian Cattle Dog Or Kelpie X

[Tozer 385]

I've always liked the look of some of the Australian dogs, kelpie/ACD. I like the idea of a different cross.

 

But was just googling them after this thread and came across this on an Australian site:

 

Blue Heelers & Red Heelers

Blue and red heelers (also known as ‘Queensland heelers’ or ‘Australian cattle dogs’) are not used with sheep because of their tendency to bite (hence the term ‘heeler’) and no-one wants their sheep hamstrung. Blue and red heelers aren’t usually the brightest lights on the street however they are loyal and exceedingly tough dogs, the type that have all sorts of mishaps (run-ins with feral pigs, falls off the back of the ute etc) yet they have a habit of surviving close shaves that would fell purebred dogs. They are ideal for bringing wilder cattle into the mob and keeping them in the mob (perhaps it takes wisdom to be worried? Fear doesn’t seem to be part of a heeler’s personality). No beast likes having it’s nose or legs snapped at, so cattle will usually retreat to the middle of the mob after just a couple of attempts to escape. Heelers are popular pets and are great guard dogs when left with a ute full of valuables. Some are great characters with very distinctive personalities.

It made me smile so I thought I'd share it, I didn't know how true people will find it

[Neal 1,926]

I wouldn't agree with the idea that heelers are lacking in intelligence though I would agree with the comments on their rather rough and ready style of working; this is why so many Australian cattle men are now moving over to kelpies as they want to get the stock there in one piece and in a calmer manner.

[3175darren 1,102]

Me neither Neil, I know mines a cross but he's sharp upstairs, I would agree with no fear, but as for livestock he is very good with sheep and cattle, but he's around them almost everyday,he's not like a lot of other dogs and won't avoid cattle, as in go wide of them, he will carry on seemingly unfazed by them, and if I am honest they don't seem to react too much to him, where as they will crowd my lab and the lab gets nervous,

[Tozer 385]

I must admit they have always been described as inteligent by everything else I have seen.

[shealy1 71]

Had a blue heeler when I was younger very clever dog n loyal very small compact type but would guard you with his life