German Shepherd Heeler Mix – Facts and Myths
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is quite a unique and delightful mixed breed dog. His distinct pictures alone are reason enough to make your mouth drop! Unfortunately, not all of us are aware that he actually exists.
This is an extremely well-balanced designer dog whose origins are primarily Australian and New Zealand. Originally developed as a cross between an English Bulldog and a Portuguese Water Dog, Hepler was actually a long-bred dog with a very good temperament who was originally used as a companion dog for those with disabilities.
Over time, he was used for hunting dogs, therapy dogs, and police work. He eventually developed his watery eye color and his silky coat and became a favorite for families in the Southern United States.
A lot of people want to own this rare dog because they have blue heelers in their blood.
In actuality, there are only eight recognized colors in the whole wide world of canines. Of these, only three are recognized in the United States. There are also only three purebreds from the United Kingdom – Poodle, the Standard Schnauzer, and the Bullmastiff. Because of these limitations, it is quite common to find German Shepherds mixed in American Kennel Club lists with blue heelers.
When you are trying to locate a German Shepherd Hepler mix, it is important to look at the other parent breeds. If the parents have the same primary characteristics (cool, gentle, intelligent, etc), the chances of there being a blue heeler mix are very slim. You are searching for temperament, not appearance. You want a dog that will mix well with the other parent breeds, but it has to have the same characteristics as its parents.
The temperament of the German Shepherd Hepler mix is also very important.
They have to be very intelligent and attentive to thrive in a household. However, these dogs must also have good socialization training to be obedient. These dogs need to go through a great deal of socialization to learn how to interact with people naturally. Only a well socialized German Shepherd will grow up to be a well-behaved pet.
German Shepherds and blue heelers may share the same features (they are both very energetic dogs) but they are very different in their needs. Blue heelers may be highly active but they need to exercise daily and they have to go out of their way to satisfy their instinctive need for companionship. They have great appetites and love to eat a lot.
These dogs are very easy to train and will usually only need a minimum of socialization.
They do not shed as much as German Shepherds and they don’t suffer from many of the chronic health problems common to many breeds of dogs. But they do need proper exercise daily and should be taken to a dog park regularly.
There are some health risks associated with owning these dogs as well. Blue heelers are prone to several types of cancer, allergies, ear infections, heartworm disease, skin problems and they can develop bone tumors. It’s best if you get your German Shepherd mixed breed from a recognized vet that can offer advice about which vet to use for the health of your new canine friend.
German Shepherds are excellent family dogs, but they do have their own set of challenges that need to be considered.
These dogs can be difficult to integrate into families with children because of their hyperactive temperament and need for constant attention. If you have other dogs in your home already, it might be a good idea to get your German Shepherd puppy from another breed of dog. Your goal should be to find a dog that has a calm temperament, lots of health issues, and a great temperament.
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