Help! Need info on Blue Heelers!

[bckrazy]

You can look at the breed website for lots of info, but this is my experience...

Australian Cattle Dogs are extremely loyal, intelligent, energetic, hard-headed, and they have high herding drive. They will nip at the heels of people/dogs/horses/bunnies/anything, and discouraging that requires lots of supervision and training. They also REQUIRE a daily job, whether that is going on very long walks/jogs with you, Flyball, Agility, Frizbee, Herding, Obedience, guarding the home, etc. Most ACD's I know are devoted guard dogs - they do alarm bark and will not back down. They are also witty little dogs, and can be escape artists if not supervised, trained, & exercised properly. As an adult, a healthy ACD needs 1+ hours of intense exercise daily... that means, playing fetch in an open yard or field, jogging, swimming, training, whatever gets them tired out.

I would not recommend allowing a 9 week-old puppy free roam of the house and yard. It would be better to get him an exercise pen and put puppy pads down for him to use when you're gone for 8 hours. The puppy pads, when you are home, can be placed by the back door (OR just leave the dog door open) so he is trained to go outside to potty.

This is totally your family's decision. Just know that all herding pups are huge handfulls of work! They will repay you in loyalty, companionship, love, and FUN! If you're interested in dog sports, this dog would be great for you. They are competitive, active, smart pups!

[dab_20]

I used to have a red ACD. They are wonderful companions. Very, very intelligent, they learn extremely quickly. ACDs are extremely loyal and enjoy the company of people. They need a job to do, or they will use all that energy in destructive ways. They have never ending stamina. I would suggest doing agility, flyball, herding or any other sports with them. They need more then a walk to be happy. They are really great dogs. Tell us what you decide!

[Sweet Sixy]

Thank you both for your help! This little guy is just great (although judging by his paws he won't be little long!). I am a runner, as is my husband. We are also avid rollerbladers and hikers so the dog would have plenty to do. Given our yard size playing frisbee or something along those lines is very easy. We are going to talk about it a little more and probably decide tomorrow!

[dab_20]

Sounds like he'd have a great home with you. If you decide to get him, pics please!

[Vette]

Here ya go.. a site with some info about them

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australiancattledog.htm

[lute]

oh gosh! what a find! good luck on your choice!