It may not have had anything to do with the breed, just that this particular dog had not been around children very much.

We understand about the dog not being around children much, but the nature of this dog seemed very gentle. The foster parent was thoroughly disgusted with the whole situation and started arguing with the adoption person about the compatibility of the pup right in front of us. Before we started looking for a dog, we talked about it and realize that bringing any dog around our child is taking a chance. We have very specific standards in what sort of a dog we are looking for and what type of personality the dog should have. (Our daughter presently plays with her Aunt's 2 full grown dogs. They are great with her and they were not raised around children.) But, still we are still really upset that the adoption person would suggest a Pit Bull. It's on the news almost every night about some Pit Bull mauling a baby or young child. It makes no sense. Also, we are thinking about looking for a breeder. We looked at a lot of shelters today. This was the only pup that even matched our criteria perfectly. Also, strangely enough, this pup was the only one our daughter would even play with. The shelters just don't have a lot of dogs that are perfectly suited to young children. Sorry to keep adding more, but it is very frustrating. Thanks!

If you liked the heeler so much and really think it is a match for your family, you could try talking to someone else who works for the shelter/organization. Perhaps a different adoption person would agree with you and the dog's foster parent.

I love my mixed "blue healer." Her name is CLEO! She was found abandoned fending for herself and brought to us by our Son's girlfriend. At first, I did not want the responsibility, and I thought she looked like a Wolf. We took her to the Vet and he said he thought she was a cattle dog with a little collie or chow because of the markings on her tongue and about a year old. She has a very pretty face, beautiful black w/grey shiny coat with subtle spotted markings We met New Year's Eve. At first, she was shy, quiet, timid and did not bark. I was a little afraid of her. We let her sleep in the living room, and tried to pamper her, and take her fears away. (It's still her place.) The 2nd day she bounded out the kitchen door and tried to climb the oak tree after a squirrel. I could see she wanted to "go." I leashed her and walked her around the yard and was not sure what to do. I soon realized that was not enough and must have walked her 10 times that day. Before long, she got my energy up, and helped me rejuvenate myself. I started to envy her energy, bright eyes and began looking forward to her forcing me to enjoy keeping up to her. I got stronger and happier with my new energy. Sometimes, we would run up the hill very late at night when things were pitch black and quiet. I petted, brushed her and talked to her every night and we soon bonded. (First Year) My husband was afraid she might leave the yard and get runned over. He has a very commanding nature and quickly taught her where the property boundary line was. Believe it or not, she learned within a matter of weeks, and has never left the yard without either one of us. He also taught her not to "nip." Joe is retired and takes Cleo with him downtown, and they work well together around the yard. Cleo is a very lucky dog. Many times I walk her without a leash, and the neighbors and children love her. She plays chase with them, and seems to know when to stop or get away. If the children are well behaved, there is no concern. I hired a trainer for two lessons which was the best thing I could have done to show me how to walk a dog. She said Do what I tell you to do if you don't want to be led the rest of your life. A few lessons put me in charge. I can whistle when Cleo chases a bird, cat or squirrel, and she stops on a dime. I think she can learn anything. She speaks with her eyes and happy tail always wagging. She is friendly, affectionate, reserved, well mannered, obedient and loves her frisbee. She barks to let Joe know when the mailman has arrived, or whenever strangers may come by. She's not a pushover, and will defend herself. Cleo will be 6 years this New Year's Eve 2004, and I cannot tell you how fast the time has gone. It seems like yesterday. She is healthy and always eager to please. I don't walk, run, per or spend as much time with her as I did in the beginning. It's not necessary. She gets smarter everyday and relaxes. But, we do talk! I wish she could talk, but then everyone would know my secrets. As our Son said -- we could not have gotten a more desirable Pet if we had sat down and written what we wanted, than "Cleopatra." I think we were all ready for each other. Cleo needed a home and we needed her. To me, that is the key to Pets.

Make sure you read up about them I fostered a red heeler once and she was a handful!! I love them but they are not a dog for everyone.

My grandfather raises Blue Heelers and they are very neat dogs but they can be pretty hyper. In all truth I am not sure they would be the best pet for a two year old. Most like to jump and nip, which upsets a lot of young childeren. I had a half Blue Heeler when I was about 3 years old and she would always tear me and my cousins clothes off when we went outside, rip our shirts right off LOL! I remember she was not a very good pet for me at that age, she was just two hyper and nippy, If you do get one though I would make sure you start teaching it very early age how to act around your child properly and stay with it. They are extremely smart dogs they learn quick.

Are you getting it for your daughter or yourself. A 2 year old would just love a toy doggie and much easier to take care of . If its for you, that's different, but it sounds like that breed will take a lot of time and energy. Do you have enough to do that and raise a toddler at the same time? Be sure before you jump in.

Um, for all of the people posting, the original post was done in May of this year, I kind of doubt that htat person is still on here! lol, just thought I would let you know!

Oh, duh, I feel so dumb. Katz-you have to see the Bud light commercial with the pom and the frizbee. I though of you when I saw it, its great.

Thier no good with kids. They way they work is the problem. The snap and jump and round you up. So i dont think a ACD would be good with kids. But Border collies are more friendly because they dont snap went rounding up sheep. Happy Melbourn Cup Day

My schnauzers nip at your heels when you walk. The little one is real bad to do it.

Does anybody know where can I buy a couple of blue healer puppies in Melbourne that are ready to travel to Mexico City next February?

***Edited By: VivaMexico on 1/19/2006 7:54:52 PM***
Reason: Grammar

CATTLE DOGS (HEELERS) ARE NOT FOR CHILDREN


older children like 13 and up maybe!

the herding drive is so strong in the breed it WILL BITE AND CHASE as if they were herding..it starts from the time the can walk..they jump high and circle and nip....the list goes on.

I'm not saying you can't train them not to..it would be like training a GSD/dobi/rotti/pit bull....not to protect. That's what they were bred for. that's what they do!

I URGE YOU NOT to get a pup from your friend.

I have bred and have had heelers the last 8 years...EVERY pup is the same..some just have HIGHER drive to herd, nip, and such.

Too many heelers are in the pound right now because people get them NOT knowing what they are getting.

a lab would be a better choice..you should go see what is a available at your local shelter and ask someone to help..they'll give you a good idea of each dogs' personality.


PLEASE do not get a Blue heeler..however cute they may be.

Everyone has there own opinion , BUT... In my case my sons blue healers were GOD SENT!
My son now is eighteen but when he was eight his dad and I got him one for his Birthday four months later my husband died of a heart attack, this dog was not only attentive but very supportive! Everything Michael went to do that dog was right with him! It was almost like he knew Michael needed him to fill the void in his life!
His name was spike and the best gift my son (and my daughter and I ) could ask for! HE LOVED KIDS! and was the talk of the family, how good he was with the kids! Five years later my son and I went to a horse sale and there were Blue Healer pups for sale... He talked me into getting suzzie an eight week old puppy. Spike took to her just like the kids............. Five months later we had a house fire that almost took all of our lives but SPIKE....
Went back in the house to find my son!! We all got out and didn't realize Spike didn't. That dog from day one was my sons best friend and he taught suzzie to be the same way! Spike is gone and there isn't a day that goes by he is not thought of! His favorite ball still sits on our shelf to remind us. Suzzie is also wonderful with kids and is right with us know matter what we do. When I eventually have grand kids MY GIFT will be a BLUE HEALER! (When ther old enough) In my eyes they are a gift from God! Majorlover

Bump

A BLUE HEELER IS 1/2 AUSTRALIAN SHEPARD AND 1/2 DINGO. BLUE HEELERS ARE GENERALLY A 1 PERSON DOG. BOTH OF MINE ARE GOOD WITH KIDS BUT THEIR TOENAILS AND PUPPY TEETH ARE VERY SHARP. THEY LIKE TO BITE AND CHEW ALOT. VERY PLAYFUL AND REQUIRE TONS AND LOTS OF ATTENTION. THEY WILL CHEW THINGS TO BITS IF THEY GET BORED OR FEEL MAD OR NEGLECTED. THEY ARE VERY PROTECTIVE. HOPE IVE BEEN HELPFUL

Blue and red Heelers are nicknames for the Australian Cattle Dog.

Cattle dogs need a LOT of excersise. I do not know if they are good for children. They can wreck stuff when bored, and will probably actually herd your children (nip at their heels). If I were you, I'd go for a different breed.

Pics:

http://images.google.ca/images?q=Australian+Cattle+Dog&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title

Info on Aussie Cattle Dogs:

http://www.pets.ca/breedprofiles/a/australiancattle/a17.htm

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australiancattledog.htm

http://www.akc.org/breeds/australian_cattle_dog/index.cfm


***Edited By: Dana Ro on 5/1/2006 4:36:20 PM***
Reason: add

Hello,all.......

I am hoping to adopt a Blue Heeler, Lab mix from a local shelter, and I am wondering if anyone has run into this combination before. My last dog, (a Sheltie) was great with obedience trials(even won a couple of ribbons). This young lady seems very smart, and I am hoping to get her into both obedienc and agility training. Any responses would be helpful.......

BLUE HEALER ATTACK...Was interested in this dogs history of biting. A close friend was attacked while petting one recently while in the owners home. The owners were unable to get the animal off of her face and the dog destroyed it. Damage such as the lose of her lips will be unrepairable.

i had a puppy red healer! she was very very active. she is really great with kids because she does not bite and is very freindly. all red healers that i've come into contact with are very freindly. im not sure if its time for a 2 year old to have a red healer because it takes alot of time to take care these hyper active dogs. maybe a lab is good enough.