The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is not a dog breed you see every day. One parent originating from Australia and the other from Germany, two very-far-apart countries, it’s amazing that you get to witness the offspring of these two breeds today!
If you’re considering adopting a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix, I’m here to give you a glimpse into what this unique doggo is like. I’ve researched everything from physical looks to behavior to prepare you for your upcoming adventure.
Besides information on the breed, I’ll also offer you some tips on how to take care of it.
Let’s dive in!
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Physical Characteristics
Let’s kick off this post with an in-detail description of the pup’s physical appearance, shall we?
Size and Weight
One of the fascinating things about mixed breeds is that you can’t predict how they’ll end up looking. They might lean toward one parent more than the other or be a 50/50 deal!
When it comes to size and weight, Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes fall right in between. See, German Shepherds are large dogs, while Blue Heelers tend to be a bit smaller and stockier.
Once those two pooches mate, you can expect their offspring to range from 19 to 25 inches in height and 40 to 80 pounds in weight. Of course, only the genes will determine where your mixed breed will end up on this spectrum!
Coloring
Again, there isn’t a default coat color pattern that all or most Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes end up with. However, you can expect the speckled coloring pattern of the Blue Heeler to show up in the mixed breed in most cases.
Usually, this pattern includes these color combinations:
- Black and gray tones
- Black and white
- Brown and tan
- Black and tan
Coat Type
Both parents share a few coat characteristics, which will be passed on to their offspring. For instance, they both have a double coat to ward off harsh weather conditions and keep them protected.
Also, both breeds shed plenty of hair in the spring in preparation for the summer. So, you should expect your mixed-breed to shed a lot as well.
As for the length of the coat, German Shepherds have long hair, while that of Blue Heelers is shorter. For that reason, your Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix might end up with medium-length hair.
Still, because genes are unpredictable, there’s always the possibility that your mixed pup may have shorter or longer hair.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Personality and Temperament
Now that you’re all well-acquainted with how a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix usually looks, it’s time to give you a sneak peek at his personality.
Alert and Protective
The first thing you can expect out of your mixed dog is an elevated protective instinct, which makes sense if you’re familiar with his parents’ characters.
Both German Shepherds and Blue Heelers are herding dogs; their main purpose was to guide and take care of larger animals. In a domestic setting, this can be both a huge pro and a con.
A protective dog makes for an awesome watchdog to keep you and your family safe. However, this can make your furry friend distrustful toward strangers or other dogs, even aggressive sometimes.
This is why it’s crucial to properly train and socialize this dog as soon as you bring him home when he’s still a puppy. This way, you should be able to soften his natural aggression toward unfamiliar people.
Plus, the dog’s herding tendency may be a disadvantage, too, once he’s kept inside the house. See, Blue Heelers can sometimes be unable to resist the urge to nip at the heels of running kids, while German Shepherds are more likely to bite children than other dog breeds.
This doesn’t mean that your pup will hurt your children intentionally. Yet, it’s better to supervise the dog’s playtime with your kids to make sure nothing goes wrong, at least until he’s trained.
Or, to be extra safe, you can wait until your kids are older, like ten or above, before leaving your dog with them unattended.
Loyal to a Fault
Another thing you should know about a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is that this dog is incredibly loyal to his human family. Since he’s inherited a GSD’s unmatched courage and a Blue Heeler’s watchful character, he’ll always do whatever it takes to keep you safe.
This dog can even expose himself to dangerous situations without a second thought just to ensure nothing harmful comes to the people that love him.
Sharp-Minded and Intelligent
This pup is ready to learn all that you throw at him!
The Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix is one of the smartest dogs out there, which is only natural since both of his parents are sharp-minded. This makes him a pretty quick learner, but only if you have some experience training dogs.
This is because this dog has the tendency to be stubborn and opinionated, which is a side effect of his high intelligence. So, unless you know how to be your dog’s leader and not vice versa, training him could be tough.
That’s why I don’t recommend getting a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix for first-time dog owners. It won’t be a walk in the park!
Highly Energetic
Again, this is another reason why Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes aren’t the best option for a new dog parent. These dogs are highly energetic, which, again, is only natural because of their genes.
Therefore, you’ll need to be a person who leads an active lifestyle to be able to keep up with your dog’s physical demands. Without enough physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis, this dog will let out his stored energy in ways you won’t appreciate.
Destroying household items or chewing on shoes and pillows are only two things you can expect of a dog that can’t find a healthy way to let all of his energy out. That’s why you’ll need to put together a nice schedule to exercise your dog every day.
All in all, a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix isn’t for everyone. This unique dog needs an attentive pet parent who will keep a close eye on him in the company of children. He also requires special care, which I’ll discuss in-depth later on.
Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix Lifespan and Health Concerns
Like most mixed breeds out there, Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes are generally healthier than their parents. When it comes to their lifespan, these active pups can live up to 16 years, but some only get to nine or ten.
Still, you should know that this mix can inherit a health condition from one parent or both. This is mostly unpredictable, so you should always be prepared for the possibility anyway.
Some health concerns that a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix might be prone to include:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Back problems
- Allergies
- Several eye problems
- Bloat
- Deafness
- Epilepsy
Fortunately, some of these conditions can be tested for, while others might show up later once a pup becomes an adult or senior dog.
To minimize the chances of illnesses, get in touch with the puppy’s breeder before you take him home and look at his parents’ medical history.
Tips on Taking Care of a Blue Heeler German Shepherd Mix
Now that you have all the information you need about this adorable dog’s personality and appearance, I’m guessing you’re ready for the challenge since you’ve come so far!
It’s time to know how to care for this special doggo so that he has a happy and healthy life in your household.
Food and Diet
The best way to find out the right dog food for your pup and how often you should feed him is to consult the vet. They’ll recommend a suitable dog food brand and let you know the required amount to give your puppy based on his age and weight.
Generally speaking, your dog will need two to three nutritious meals every day to meet his physical demands. Since he’s a highly energetic dog, it only makes sense that he’ll need more food than a couch-hugging breed!
Plus, the larger a dog is, the more food he’ll need to consume to keep up with his body functions.
Grooming
Both Blue Heelers and German Shepherds are well-known shedders, so the resulting breed will shed his coat at medium to heavy intensity.
Not only will this keep you busy with brushing, grooming, and cleaning your house during the shedding season, but it’ll also mean bad news for a person with allergies. If you or any member of your family are allergic to dogs, it’s best to steer clear of this breed and go for a hypoallergenic one instead.
Now, when it comes to grooming, Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes will require a watertight routine to keep their coats in check:
- Brush your dog’s coat on a daily basis in the shedding season
- Only brush your pup twice a week when he’s not shedding
- Always use a bristle brush not to irritate the dog’s sensitive skin
- Give your dog a bath only when he’s dirty (frequent bathing dries up the dog’s skin and hair)
- Clean his ear once a week to minimize the chances of ear infections
- Brush his teeth several times a week to ward off any dental issues
- Trim your dog’s nails periodically
Exercise
Because most Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes come with built-in excessive energy that requires an outlet, you must be prepared to exercise your dog every day. Luckily, there are countless ways you can do that:
- Take your dog on two walks each day
- Allow him to run freely in your yard or on the beach
- Play games with him like Tug of War, fetch, or Hide and Seek (keep a close eye on the dog if your children are involved)
- Ride your bike while your dog follows you around
- Go for a run or a hike with your pup
Socialization and Training
Blue Heeler German Shepherd mixes need proper training and socialization as soon as you bring one home as a puppy.
If they’re not trained at an early age, they’ll carry their herding tendencies, overly protective instincts, and natural stubbornness to their adulthood, when they’ll be hard to soften.
Plus, pups that don’t socialize with people or other dogs will likely grow into dogs that are very wary of strangers. Their aggression will surface in any normal interaction with unfamiliar people, which is why socialization is a must.
Here are a few tips that can help with your dog’s training and socialization:
- Take your dog to a dog park to expose him to other people and dogs
- Let your pup come face to face with various settings, smells, and situations to build his social skills and confidence
- Use positive reinforcement when training your dog to follow your commands
- Always go for clear, simple commands not to end up confusing your pup
- Avoid punishment-based training as it will have a negative effect on your dog (it’ll also strain your bond and make him upset)
You must be 100% prepared for dealing with a strong-willed dog like the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix. This will only be possible if you’ve previously handled stubborn, highly intelligent dogs.
To Wrap It Up
Taking a Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix home is surely a challenge, even for a seasoned dog owner. Still, it’ll pay off with the right training, and you’ll end up with a loyal, loving, and protective pooch who’s ready to keep his human family safe from danger.
Now that you know what it takes to raise such an intelligent, special doggo, it’s time to get in touch with a reputable breeder. After taking a careful look at the hybrid dog’s family history and filling in all the paperwork, all you’ll have to do is bring your new furry friend home.
Let the fun, and training, begin!
