Blue Heeler owners?

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DoN🎩DriZZy Sep 7, 2012

I was looking into german shepherds but i am kinda leaning towards a blue heeler more. I hear they love to fetch balls and frisbees, and love water.

Do these dogs take much to teach how to fetch a frisbee? Are they terrorists in the house when left alone?
Ojibwe Sep 7, 2012

They tend to bite the mailman, on the heels.
✯RagnarLoðbrók✯ Sep 7, 2012

They try to herd everything, you, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your mailman, your cat, cars, trucks, bikes or anything else that passes within what the dog feels is a reasonable approximation of his/her area of responsibility.

Other than that they are great dogs.
〓Տɧɑƌøա₭ɪɲɠ〓 Sep 7, 2012

ℜagɳar Loðbrók wrote:
They try to herd everything, you, your spouse, your kids, your neighbors, your mailman, your cat, cars, trucks, bikes or anything else that passes within what the dog feels is a reasonable approximation of his/her area of responsibility.

Other than that they are great dogs.

Hell, my border collie/lab mix does that. Well, he tries to herd me, at least.
littlesis127 Sep 7, 2012

Oh once one tryed to eat my hand it was so cute !!!
✯RagnarLoðbrók✯ Sep 7, 2012

Blue heelers are a little more ornery than border collies. They are stronger, more aggressive and at least in my experience more prone to bite. Most likely because they were bred to herd cattle, as opposed to sheep.
DoN🎩DriZZy Sep 7, 2012

Any actual owners?
DirtyDaveDsq Sep 7, 2012

I have one, it's the best dog I have ever had . Is name is Bear he love his humans and is very smart. He will protect you. They are heelers and nip at your heels and or other animals. I will never have any other kind of dog.
Ojibwe Sep 7, 2012

My only experience is from living next to one. I kept a stick at each end of his property.

If you want a fetching dog, why don't you just get a lab?
★〓⌖ Viper ⌖〓★ Sep 7, 2012

Uh Drizz, you need to date more if you're starting to look for dogs that'll fetch your balls. More rewarding to find a gal that does that.
🐑Turf💔Warrior🐑 Sep 7, 2012

Hahaha @Viper

I had an Australian Shepherd, which I hear is pretty similar. She had to be kenneled when I wasn't home because she was a terror if she was left out. Amazing dogs though. They are a lot of fun.
whette fartze Sep 7, 2012

There are some on my farm but I dot spend much time with them. When I am around them they're good, loyal dogs. I couldn't tell you what they're like around kids but I'm sure they aren't too bad
kaptin kangaroo Sep 7, 2012

My German Shepard is the best dog I've ever had. Smart as a whip and an angel inthe house. She never barks either unless a stranger is at the door. (she can see them out the window).
BellaItaliana Sep 7, 2012

What is Bella?
DoN🎩DriZZy Sep 7, 2012

ℬeƖƖɑIƗɑƖiɑɳɑ wrote:
What is Bella?

Well idk really. A lab mix. Smaller than lab though. I had to leave for a while and my mom took her, won't give her back now lol
〓SHЯIИUT〓 Sep 7, 2012

I have owned one, but had to give him up to a family who had the time and space for him. They need plenty of exercise and room to run. Very loyal and smart but yes they do nip at strangers and children if they get too close to their territory. I miss him heaps but it was the right decision for him, I couldn't just leave him in a small yard all day while I worked. 😢🐺
Ojibwe Sep 8, 2012

I was visiting New Zealand. While on a hike along the coast I saw a pickup pull up to a fence gate. Two blue heelers jumped out of the back and within 30 seconds rounded up the whole herd of beeves and moved them into the next pasture. They finished their chore and jumped back in the truck. It was fucking amazing how well those dogs did their job. That's what they are bred to do, not fetch frisbees in the suburban park.