A blue heeler Doberman mix is a crossbreed whose origin was believed to be an accident. A Doberman dog and a blue-heeler dog crossbreed to form a blue-heeler Doberman mix. Among pet lovers, the blue heeler Doberman mix dog is famous as an Australian dog. It is a hybrid with a mix of characters of both breeds.
Genetics of both breeds play their role in forming a combined trait of blue heeler Doberman mix. Which genetic trait the offspring will adopt depends on the genetic dominance of either parent. Therefore, the temperament, appearance, size, and price of the blue heeler Doberman mix depend on genetic dominance.
They are hardworking and brave. The purpose of the blue heeler Doberman mix is to provide protection and security.
In addition, due to their robust nature and high level of intellect, they are often kept as working dogs. This hybrid mix breed is a good companion because it inherits the characteristics of a Doberman.
History
People often think that Dobermans were made by putting together traits from different dog breeds that Dobermans liked. However, the exact proportions of each breed and the identities of those used to make the Doberman Pinscher are still unknown.Â
Only the mix of a Greyhound and a Manchester Terrier is known for sure. Most people also agree that the Doberman may be mostly related to the first German Shepherd. Otto Goeller was one of the first people to study the Doberman Pinscher breed (1939).
When Doberman died in 1894, the Germans gave the breed the name “Doberman-pinscher.” After 50 years, though, the word “pinscher” was taken out of the name because it was a thing of the past.
Thomas Hall, whose parents were from Northumberland, England, sent in a few dogs like those used by drovers there to help out. Back then, dogs were often put into groups based on the jobs they were trained to do, not on whether or not they were a certain “breed.”Â
Origin
When McNiven first started breeding hybrid dogs in the 1940s, he said that they were true to form, color, and personality. McNiven added the Dingo, the Kelpie, the German Shepherd, and the Kangaroo Hound to his program for breeding dogs.
In retaliation, McNiven gave his puppies the registration papers of dead dogs. The RASKC kicked him out and took all of his dogs off the registry. Greg Lougher, a cattle rancher from Napa, California, met Alan McNiven when he was stationed in Australia during World War II. He brought in a few adults and several litters.
McNiven kept sending his “improved” dogs to the United States even after he was no longer allowed to. Many American soldiers were stationed in Queensland and New South Wales during World War II, and many of them fell in love with Australian Cattle Dogs.
After five years of lobbying, collecting pedigrees, and gathering support, the Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in January 1980. This was thanks to the work of two breeders and dog lovers. At the time, most of the few Australian Cattle Dogs that lived in Canada worked on farms and ranches.
Colors
The coat and color of blue heeler Doberman mix depend on the coat color of their parents. Dobermans have two different color genes. One gene is responsible for the black color, and the other is responsible for its dilution. Because of different combinations of alleles of these genes, Doberman exists in black, red, blue, and fawn colors.
At the same time, there are two accepted coat colors for blue heelers. These coat colors are red and blue. Both these dogs, when crossbred, produce different combinations of coat colors in hybrid. The coat color of this hybrid is difficult to predict.
Age
The lifespan of a hybrid dog mainly depends on the average lifespan of parent breeds. Dobermans don’t live as long as blue heelers do. A blue heeler lives about thirteen to fifteen years on average. At the same time, a Doberman usually lives for eight to ten years.
In that respect, the average life of their hybrid ranges between 10 to 16 years. These figures are not ultimate, which means that this hybrid may live longer if provided with better health conditions. One of the main factors of a longer lifespan is the maintenance of health conditions.
A puppy with a better health condition has more chances of a longer life. Before having a blue heeler Doberman mix, you should ask the breeder about its health during its early life.
Cost-US Price
The average price of a blue heeler Doberman mix ranges between $450 to $1200. The price differs in different states and with different individuals of this hybrid.
Blue Heeler Doberman Mix Puppies
Blue heeler puppies have sensitive stomachs and weak bladders. You must provide them with the vet’s prescribed formula if you bring the dog before weaning. After the weaning time, the dog needs soft food, and offering them raw in early time can result in severe digestive issues.
You cannot conduct experiments with their food as any severe condition could result in fatal outcomes.
Temperament
The temperament of the blue heeler Doberman mix depends on the characters of its parents. Those characteristics shared by both parents are always present in this hybrid. Just like their parents, blue-heeler Doberman mixes are powerful and strong.
These two characters fulfill the criteria of being a guard dog and a working dog. In addition, these dogs possess remarkable prey instincts and drive abilities. Their unique characteristics put some responsibilities on the pet parents. Being a pet parent, you need to spend lots of time in the early stages of life.
They need to learn socialization in early life to develop a friendly nature with other companions and humans. At the same time, these dogs have the ability to find lonely times even in a house full of noise.
You can train blue heeler Doberman mix easily; they respond to positive reinforcements. When you are with this dog, you will have your best time. They are very affectionate and good protectors.
Adaptability
Blue heelers are not good when it comes to adaptability. These dogs love the consistency in your behavior and everything around you. A slight change in the environment affects them badly. You can see them suffer by seeing them showing negative behavior, biting and chewing. According to experts, you must go very slowly when it comes to blue heelers.
The blue heeler puppy will get disturbed when you will bring the pet home. You must provide some quality time to the dog, and making them sleep in the crate will help them ease the separation anxiety from the mother. Many breeders start placing dogs away from the mother and siblings for some time to make them habitual of future change.
But still, you will have to work a lot with the dog to make them feel comfortable in the first few days. When the dog grows to be an adult, the shifting of the house from one place to another can be more than one could imagine.
That’s why you must make them prepared by taking them to other places for sleepovers before shifting. The change in ownership is a nightmare for the blue heelers because they create a strong bond with the owner.
Living Needs
When you decide to adopt a blue heeler puppy, you must make the budget and time planning accordingly. The blue heeler is not a random dog that can live in a single room without doing anything. Blue heelers need a lot of exercise, attention, and time and you must invest in their health to save them from medical issues at an older age.
In order to increase ether quality of life of your dog, you must provide them with the necessities. Your dog needs more than just food. The puppy must have a crate, blanket, and bedding to enjoy being with you.
When you see that your dog is growing, giving them a soft bed will help them a lot. Sleeping on a soft bed daily can help them stay away from hip dysplasia and other joint problems.
Blue heelers need your time, love, and attention to live a happy life. A blue heeler is like a little kid who wants to be with someone. If you don’t take good care of them, their natural curiosity could get them into trouble. According to vets, you must puppy-proof your house before adding a new member to the family.
You must lock the chemicals, spices, and other objects in containers and drawers. Do not allow the pet to roam around in the entire house without any early restrictions. The dog might consider the whole house as a bathroom area, and you will not be able to make them behave accordingly.
Height and weight
The height and weight of a blue heeler Doberman mix depend on the genetic makeup of their parents. Here we can discuss the average size of a blue heeler Doberman mix. The height of a blue heeler Doberman mix ranges between 20 to 27 inches.
The weight of a blue heeler Doberman mix ranges between 35 to 100 pounds. The size of this hybrid is characterized as medium to large. Their height and weight further add up to their role of being watchdogs and, at the same time, being good with children and other dogs.
Nutrition
Blue heeler Doberman mix is an active dog breed. They need lots of highly nutritious diets to fulfill their roles. In their early stage, they need high protein content in their diet. The high protein content helps them build their muscles and body structures well.
As they grow, they need a high-energy diet to fulfill their physical responsibilities. You would like your hybrid dog to go sporting, working, and hunting. Here you need to realize that your active blue heeler Doberman mix would require four times more energy than other dogs.
You may have different roles for your hybrid to play, such as helping you out at the farm, herding animals, self-companion, and rescue. In that case, you need to fulfill the high energy demands of your dog. A diet containing all the essential nutritional components in a balanced amount is the best for your dog.
All essential nutrients include protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. You need to find a good and reliable dog food brand for your blue heeler Doberman mix.
A reputable dog food brand will have different categories of dog food according to the different stages of life. A highly proteinaceous diet is the need of the early stage, whereas a high-energy diet is the need of the adult stage.
Training
The Blue heelers are headstrong and powerful. They do not like to be treated as a subject. But when you make a blue heeler your family member and train them with the right approach, your dog will do anything to please you. The blue heelers show unconditional love when it comes to an understanding human parents.
The training for these dogs starts from day one, and breeders keep them in their hands for 10 to 15 minutes many times a day. When people adopt these dogs, the professionals recommend starting to use food as a reward to teach the dog the right behavior. You must show respect to the dog when they show an extreme attitude.
Never use punishment or negative reinforcement with this dog, as they are unable to comprehend these. The only thing to make them behave accordingly is consistency.
Your consistent behavior will help them understand what is required and how they should behave. The use of treats, love, and consistency will give you a perfect family dog.
Socialization
All dogs love to stay around humans and accept them as their family; some dog breeds, like guard dogs, do not allow others to come close to their family. But when it comes to the rest of the breeds, the canines usually enjoy the company of other humans. They love to play with them and enjoy a good time together.
Blue heelers are moody and behave according to the training they get in their early life. When you have a puppy designer or breed, you must start socialization early. Breeders start socialization training from day one by taking the newborn in their hands. When they are in human hands, they feel secure and at ease.
When you want to have the blue heeler as a family dog, you must start socialization training right away. But always remember the best approach is to go slow and use rewards. The dog will love to perform according to the training needs when the reward is involved.
Consult your vet about the type of treatment that you will be using for positive reinforcement. Sugary treats can disrupt their stomach and result in a messy situation.
Exercise Needs & Requirements
The blue heeler Doberman mix needs daily two-hour rigorous exercise. The best approach is to divide the two-hour physical activity plan into shorter daily activities. If this is not possible, you can start the morning and evening workout plan with your dog.
This breed loves to get tired by doing physical activities. Always remember a tired dog is a good dog. You need to make your dog exhausted; otherwise, your shoes, furniture, and even doors will suffer the wrath of their teeth.Â
The most needed thing in the exercise for the blue heeler Doberman mix is the physical activity that forces them to burn a high amount of calories. The blue heeler, just like the parent breed, is a high-energy dog with a great hunger for calorie accumulation. You’ll need to keep an eye on their intake and manage their physical exercises accordingly.
The blue heeler Doberman mix requires a place where the dog can run freely and have fun as well. Strict rules and restrictions can make the dog stubborn and moody. You must take care of their mood along with their physical needs. The dog must enjoy the exercise for good energy burnout. If your dog doesn’t want the exercise, the result will be stubbornness and bad behavior.
They love to go uphill and downhill, run in the sand and enjoy swimming. You have to give them things to do that are appropriate for where you are. If you cannot provide them with any of these, a trip to the dog park two times a day will help you get maximum results from the exercise.Â
Health Status
The blue heeler is a very active dog that needs to be walked every day. If you do not [provide them with ample physical activities, it will affect their quality of life. The same health problems can happen to these dogs as they did to their parents. The blue heeler can suffer from the following diseases at an older age or in adolescence if you don’t take proper care:
- Hip dysplasia
- Heart issues like cardiomyopathy
- Retinal problems
- Liver issues
- Kidney issues
The vital thing to protect your dog from diseases and medical issues is food. Before you start any brand or food plan, you must talk to your vet. The use of raw food is getting trendy, but you must ensure that you are giving the right amount of protein and fat. At different ages, dogs require different nutrition.
Giving them food with the wrong notorious profile can result in severe side effects. The dog can suffer from obesity, lean muscle diseases, and various other health problems. You must consult your vet on a regular basis for the weight and dietary needs of your beloved pet.
With family and kids
The blue heeler Doberman mix is a family dog, and according to dog behavior analysts, these dogs accept humans as their family. When it comes to the protection of their family from other objects, they can retort to aggression.Â
That’s why socialization is the key here to save others from their wrath. But that doesn’t mean that this breed is a perfect guard dog.
Blue heelers love to play with other humans if you help them stay comfortable with others at an early age. Working dogs are a good addition to the family, but when these dogs are around kids, you must keep a close watch on them. This breed hails from the working cattle category of canine.
The working dog tends to dominate others, and when it comes to kids, they try to dominate them by nipping and running behind. You must remain cautious when you have toddlers around; these dogs are safe for kids, but their instincts can motivate them to nip the kids when they run or don’t behave accordingly.
Grooming and coat
Thanks to this hybrid, they don’t need much grooming. They mainly need to be bathed and brushed when they need. Your hybrid doesn’t require a lot of grooming time. You can spare your time for other activities to make a good bond with your furry friend.
Blue heeler Doberman mix needs to be bathed as frequently as every week. Along with bathing, you can brush your furry friend. They will appreciate it if you use a soft brush or grooming mitt.Â
Bathing will remove any unpleasant odor and will cleanse your dog away from dirt, germs, or any other harmful agent. Brushing will reduce shedding and help the coat maintain its natural shape.
Regular care and maintenance set the foundation for healthy skin and coat. Clipping and trimming your dog’s coat are essential and very easy these days. You have the option of getting your dog professionally groomed or doing it yourself.Â
Your blue heeler Doberman mix may need a short walk before the trimming to calm him down. Before, you need to brush your dog first to remove any tangles or mats. You should not forget the chest, pads, tail, paws, and sanitary areas, as per the need.
Just like the hair trimming, your blue heeler Doberman mix needs nail trimming. You need to make your dog accustomed to nail trimming, as you will need to do it regularly.
Areas around the eyes and ear also need trimming. You should not forget to remove bushy hair growth inside the ear and long hairs around the eyes. They can be the cause of the spread of infection. You may not need to do it more often, but you can’t ignore it at all.
With Other Animals
This dog is good with other animals only when you have socialized the canine at an early age. These dogs tend to be dominating in the relationship. When it’s about other animals, they do not like to live in the shadows. They want to be seen by all and enjoy being the center of attention.
If you do not socialize with this dog well at an early age, the result will be a grumpy dog. The socially secluded dog will not be like other pets in your family, and adding a new animal to the family will be really daunting.
Many pet owners claim that their mix breed blue heeler is a perfect team player with other dogs and pets. This is because of early-age training and positive reinforcement. If you adopt an older blue heeler, things can be really tricky. These dogs sometimes do not like other humans around, and you must take it slow when it comes to socialization.
Giving them some space and time will help you increase the speed and chances of good results. Do not rush with these dogs in anything you want them to do. Make them understand with slow moves, and the dog will follow your lead.
Conclusion
Blue heeler Doberman mix is a good choice for pet parents who want an active dog for sporting, working, and guarding purposes. Once you get a blue-heeler Doberman mix, your life will be nothing but excitement, fun, and adventure.Â
