Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix: A Complete Guide To The Border Heeler

If you’re thinking about getting one of the best herding dog breeds in the world, then you’re probably thinking about adopting a Border Collie or a Blue Heeler. But what about their mix?

The Border Collie Blue Heeler mix (also known as the Border Heeler) is an amazing, intelligent, and loyal dog that’s a dedicated worker. They’re full of energy, personality, and endurance and need to be part of an active and outdoorsy family.

Border Heeler puppies tend to inherit the best traits of both their purebred parents, making them a popular mixed-breed choice for those looking for both a working and loving companion.

But are these stunning dogs the right choice for you? Exactly how much exercise do they need? And are they heavy shedders?

Let’s find out!

Parent Breeds

A great way of getting to know a mixed breed better is by looking at the parent breeds. In this case, that’s the Border Collie and the Blue Heeler (which is also called the Australian Cattle Dog).

Border Collie

The Border Collie is an amazing breed renowned around the world for its excellent herding skills. These English dogs originated in the borderlands between England and Scotland, where they were used for herding sheep and general farmyard tasks.

Collies are known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds and they constantly rank towards the top of the leaderboard in canine intelligence competitions.

As well as being one of the best working dogs around, Border Collies also make excellent pets. They’re caring, amusing, devoted, and love their families. They’re very active dogs and need between 2-3 hours of exercise a day. They love playing with dog soccer balls, going on long walks, working, or being your jogging partner.

Because Border Collies are such wonderful dogs, they’ve been used as parent breeds for many other mixes, including the Border Collie German Shepherd mix, the Bordoodle, and the Border Collie Springer Spaniel mix.

Blue Heeler

The Blue Heeler is a muscular and compact herding dog that has an incredible work ethic. These dogs are happiest when out in nature, herding, or exploring. Heelers are also highly intelligent and any owner needs to make sure they’re kept mentally entertained too.

A bored Blue Heeler or one who isn’t mentally challenged enough is likely to become mischievous and develop bad behavioral habits.

These doggos also have endless amounts of energy and need over 2 hours of vigorous exercise a day. They’re actually related to Australia’s wild dog, the Dingo, so they’re happiest being outdoors, working or accompanying you on a long outdoor adventure.

Whilst Blue Heelers do make wonderful pets for the right owner, they’re certainly more demanding than some other breeds. They really need a lot of mental and physical exercise so any owner needs to have that amount of time on their hands.

History of the Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix

Both the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog have been around for centuries (it’s thought the first ancestors of the Border Collie came to England with the Romans), so it’s quite likely that the Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix existed naturally for quite a while before they were first intentionally bred.

Although it’s difficult to know for sure, these dogs really only became popular in the last 20 years or so. Both parent breeds are beloved pets, so it’s only normal that their mix would be too!

Are Border Heelers Purebred Dogs?

No, the Border Collie Heeler is considered a mixed dog breed. This means there is no breed standard for these dogs and therefore no exact standard for breeders to breed to. This can mean that your Border Heeler puppy may differ in temperament and appearance from another (although not too much).

As a mixed breed, it also means that these dogs are not accepted by the Kennel Clubs (such as the American Kennel Club) and they can’t take part in official shows or competitions.

Temperament of the Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix

Like both Border Collies and Blue Heelers, you can expect a Heeler Border Collie Cross to be highly intelligent. In fact, you may find them trying to outsmart you. It’s essential that these dogs get enough mental stimulation, through puzzle toys and other interactive games, so they don’t become bored or tempted to find their own entertainment.

This can make this mixed breed demanding and too much for some owners. These dogs can only really be part of a very active owner’s life. They need to be taken out very regularly and given a really good run around.

You can expect your Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix to be very alert too. They’re constantly on the watch for potential threats and anything they think could be entertaining. They’re not exactly a scary dog breed, but they will do their best to protect their home and property.

Do Blue Heeler Border Collie Mixes Get On Well With Kids?

Yes, these pups are very caring and get on well with kids. It’s really important to socialize all puppies well (and older dogs if they need it) so that they learn how to properly interact with kids.

One thing you do need to look out for (and train out of your pooch early on), is herding and nipping. These pups may try to keep all those they love in one place, which might mean they herd younger kids and they may even nip.

Early positive reinforcement training can usually stop this before it becomes a problem.

Do These Pups Get On Well With Other Dogs and Animals?

This mixed breed can make the perfect furry companion for another pup. They’re very active dogs and will love having a canine friend that matches their energy levels to run around with. They need to be well socialized and introduced to each other correctly, but they should be best of friends!

They should also get on well with other animals, especially ones they’ve grown up with. The Border Collie Australian Cattle Dog Mix might like to herd other animals, though. So, as is the case with kids, it’s important to train them early on not to do this.

Can The Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix Live In an Apartment?

These dogs are really not suited to living in an apartment. They are a high-energy breed and prefer having lots of space to run around in. It’s also likely that they’ll get a bit of cabin fever if they’re in a small apartment for too long, which could lead to undesirable behavior. These dogs like having a yard, park, or fields close by to enjoy.

If you have your heart set on this mixed breed, and you do live in an apartment, you should be prepared to take them out a lot. They’ll need lots of physical exercise and mental stimulation from the outdoors.

Do Border Collie Blue Heeler Mixes Bark?

Both parent breeds are very visually stimulated (which is one of the reasons why they’re such good workers) but it can make them natural barkers. Most of the time, this behavior can be discouraged with effective training.

Appearance of the Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix

What your Border Collie Blue Heeler mix puppy looks like really depends on the genes they’ve inherited from their parents. They might look more like a Border Collie or an Australian Cattle Dog.

But, seeing as these two breeds aren’t miles apart, there are some consistencies when it comes to appearance. Both parent breeds are medium-sized and have strong and compact bodies, perfect for chasing after sheep.

It’s also likely that your pooch will be black and white, have patches of blue, or have a mottled coat patterned. They may be a mixture of all! Border Collies can have either a smooth or rough coat (a rough coat is longer), so, depending on the parent dog, your pup could have a longer or shorter coat.

It will probably be a double coat, ensuring they’re kept warm when they have to work during winter.

They can have almost any colored eyes, and both the Border Collie and the Blue Heeler can have blue or partially blue eyes. It’s also not uncommon for this mixed breed to have different colored eyes. In all likelihood, they’ll have a strong and defined muzzle that’s medium length, with a black or darker-colored nose.

They’ll probably have a low-hung tail which might have a slight curve to it. Depending on the coat they inherit, it may be fringed too.

Grooming a Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix

This mixed breed has moderate grooming needs and will require regular brushing. Both parent breeds are known to shed, so a Border Collie Heeler mix will too. It’s best to use a reliable brush that reaches their undercoat and gently removes dead hair.

Unless they roll in something stinky (which can easily happen on a farm) these dogs won’t need to be bathed often. It can, however, help to remove some of the worst of the shedding. A dog shampoo for itchy skin helps to ensure the protective oils are stripped from your pup’s coat.

As with any pooch, it’s also really important to clean their ears thoroughly to prevent infection.

Training a Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix

These dogs need ample training – not just so they’re well-behaved, but also because it’s a great way to keep them mentally active. Try to always use positive reinforcement and it’s a good idea to make them do tasks during their training (the working dog in them loves it).

These pups will love herding balls for dogs and they’re a great tool to use in training sessions. They’re also a good way of getting herding pups to direct their instincts away from kids and on to something safe and fun!

Blue Heeler Border Collie Mix Health

With lots of care, enough exercise, trips to the vet, and a quality diet, these pups are usually healthy. Even so, they can suffer from a couple of common problems they inherit from their parent breeds.

• Collie Eye Anomaly
• Hip Dysplasia
• Deafness
• Eye Problems
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cataracts

If you notice anything different about your pup’s mood or how they move, contact your vet for a check-up.

Lifespan

The Border Heeler has a great lifespan of 13-17 years!

How Much Exercise Does A Border Heeler Need?

A lot. Like both the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog, this mix is active and needs lots of outdoor exercise. They love herding and retrieving (a dog ball launcher will give your shoulder some rest) and they’ll adore playing with their furry friends in the park.

They need around 2 hours of exercise a day and can easily get frustrated if they’re not out exploring enough. For that reason, these pups should only be adopted by an active owner who has that sort of time to take a pooch out.

What Should You Feed A Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix?

These dogs need to be fed a high-quality diet that’s full of nutrients and calories to give them enough energy to run around all day. Fresh dog food could be a good option as many of the best brands ask for a dog profile first, so they can tailor the food and portions to your pup and their unique needs.

Treats can also be a great way to reward good behavior and encourage your pooch during training sessions. Try to reduce the amount of regular dog treats you give your pooch. They can be yummy but they’re full of calories and additives which can quickly lead to weight gain. Instead, try healthier treats such as fresh shrimp, avocado, or bits of zucchini.

Adopting a Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix

Whenever you adopt a dog, it’s really important to find one that has been bred well. This helps to ensure you’re getting a healthy dog that has been bred in a happy environment.

It’s therefore essential to look for a good breeder in your area who is trustworthy. They should present you with the correct health certificates for both the puppies and the parents.

Avoid puppy farms at all costs as it’s best not to support them with your money. Another possibility is to look in your local shelter. You might find a Border Collie Blue Heeler mix or another beautiful pup that you fall in love with.

Conclusion – Is This The Dog For You?

This is an amazing mix breed that would make the perfect pet for an active, loving, and outdoor owner. They don’t have to be active working dogs but they will love having a job to do (that can be chasing after tennis balls). They’re highly intelligent and have huge amounts of energy, which can be too much for some owners.

The Border Collie Blue Heeler Mix is a really beautiful dog with a stunning coat and eyes that everyone will fall in love with. They could be your perfect next furry friend!