Introduction
The Texas Heeler Dog is a hybrid of the Australian cattle dog and the Australian shepherd, named for its home state. She is a high-energy, brilliant, medium-sized mix breed that was intended to herd cattle. As long as you can keep up with her, she is a delight to teach.
She needs a job; it’s not simply something she enjoys. She would be happiest in a home with an experienced owner willing to organize daily activities to keep her occupied.
She can channel her energy in suitable ways early. Regular training and everyday activities so that she feels comfortable cuddling up with you after exhausting herself.
If you want to add a Texas heeler dog to your house then in this article we have included all the relevant information about Texas heeler dogs.
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Table of Content
- History of the Texas Heeler
- Texas Heeler Appearance
- Texas Heeler Temperament and Personality
- Texas Heeler Health and Care
- Texas Heeler Breed Food and Diet
- Texas Heeler Dog Grooming
- Texas Heeler Training
- Texas Heeler Exercise
- Texas Heeler Facts
- Conclusion
History of the Texas Heeler
Two purebreds were crossed to create the “designer dog” known as the Texas heeler. After Lucy Gayness registered the Texas Heeler breed with the Animal Research Foundation in May 1970. The species soon gained recognition as a working dog for Texas farms and ranches.
Compared to the genesis stories of many other designer breeds, this breed’s origin story differs slightly. You must consider the traits of both the Australian cattle dog and the Australian shepherd dog in order to fully comprehend the Texas Heeler.
The Texas heeler’s exact ancestry is unknown; therefore. Learning more about the history of its parent breeds might help us better comprehend this excellent companion and working dog;
The Australian cattle dog was developed in the 1800s by Australian settlers on large ranches as a hardy working dog that could help herd cattle.
They needed a breed that could withstand the frequently harsh climate in Australia because dogs that had previously been imported from England couldn’t handle the demanding ranch life.
Ranchers started mating English dogs with Australia’s native Dingo. Most of these puppies developed a striking blue coat, giving them the moniker “blue heelers.” Robert Kale Ski started breeding blue heelers in 1893, and in 1980, the Dog was admitted to the American Kennel Club.
Texas Heeler Appearance
Height:
17-22 inches
Weight:
25-50 pounds
Coat:
Smooth, silky fur with a short to medium-length coat.
Coat Color:
Black, blue merle, or blue ticked coat colors are available, with the potential of white or tan trimming on the paws and legs.
The Texas heeler is a medium-sized, extraordinarily athletic dog with a double coat that is both protective and waterproof.
It is compact and robust. Although it can be a single color, her fur is typically a blend of white, grey, black, blue, blue merle, and brown. She is stunning, and the coat does a great job of keeping her cool in both hot and cold climates.
It can be difficult to predict precisely which qualities from her parent breed would predominate in a crossbreed that is still very new. It’s entirely feasible that no two Texas heelers in a group will have the same coat color.
Although the ears of Texas heeler pups are floppy at birth, after a few weeks, they straighten up and continue to be straight and sharp. Most Texas heelers are born with a naturally bobbed tail. They usually have large, bright eyes that are brown in color.
Texas Heeler Temperament and Personality
Numerous Texas Heeler enthusiasts describe these dogs as having outgoing and loyal personalities. Although the Texas Heeler like to labor in some capacity, there are times when they enjoy snuggling with their favorite human. Due to their need to perform and please, Texas Heelers are excellent service dogs.
Like the Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog, the Texas Heeler can adopt a guard dog-like mentality towards their preferred human. If you want an energetic dog companion, the Texas Heeler could be the best choice for you.
Texas Heelers’ parents are two herding breeds. Thus it stands to reason that they like herding. Since they could bite at your heels and try to herd you or your visitors, it’s imperative to put a stop to any unwelcome herding activity as soon as you can.
Fortunately, the Texas Heeler is a brilliant and trainable dog, so any attentive owner can break these habits or establish new, desirable ones, such as for agility or obedience competitions, with
Determination and patience. Because it is an intelligent mixed breed, your Texas Heeler may try to manipulate you and test your boundaries.
Their commitment and desire to please will, however, make training a bit simpler for a committed, trustworthy owner. They can get along with other family members, but they also tend to favor one particular family member.
Texas Heeler Health and Care
Texas Heelers may be fantastic family dogs, but early (and consistent) training is necessary to ensure that you appropriately focus their brains and activity.
Because they are an energetic breed, they fare best in homes with lots of land and access to outside pursuits like hiking or dog parks. If you provide them with the correct kind of attention and care, they could make a loyal friend for many years.
The Texas heeler has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years with good care, frequent veterinarian exams, and a balanced diet. But Michael Miller, DVM, a co-owner of Lakewood Animal Hospital in Morris, Illinois, warns that Texas heelers can be vulnerable to some problems, including overheating.
According to him, even the fittest, most active canine friend might experience severe hyperthermia on hot days. Cattle Dog mixes, like other lively dogs, can continue playing and running without indicating they are becoming too hot.
One of the most concerning for these dog owners is cranial curiae ligament tears, exactly like we know with an ACL injury in a human athlete,” Miller adds. We also see the risk of severe foot and leg injuries from chasing, running, and exploring.
A veterinarian should examine any damages to the feet and legs to determine whether advanced care is necessary.”
Owners of Texas heelers should be mindful of the following health problems that are prevalent in their parent breeds: hip and elbow dysplasia.
Cataracts, autoimmune thyroiditis, collie eye abnormalities, distichiasis (eyelashes sprouting on the inside of the eyelid), and progressive retinal atrophy are just a few eye conditions that can affect people.
- Heart issues
- Epilepsy
- Cancer that runs in families, like lymphoma
- Hereditary congenital deafness
- Obesity
Texas Heeler Breed Food and Diet
Raw food is the ideal dog food for Texas Heelers. A natural, whole-food diet will not only keep your dog; healthy and content, but it will also avoid some common illnesses, including obesity, joint, dental, and digestive problems, as well as symptoms of allergies like severe scratching and skin irritation.
The anatomy and digestive system of dogs must be taken into account while choosing the finest diet for a Texas Heeler.
Dogs’ digestive systems are best adapted to fresh, high-protein meals that are mostly composed of meat, bones, and offal since they have not undergone much evolution since they were undomesticated wolves.
The goal of a natural, raw diet is to resemble this, which is what we refer to as “species-appropriate nutrition.” A Texas Heeler should have a balanced diet suitable for their life stage and energy requirements.
This usually consists of veggies, berries, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and high-quality protein.
The primary component of kibble, carbohydrates, cannot be broken down and fermented in a dog’s stomach due to anatomical limitations.
Even kibble made without grains frequently includes a lot of rice, potatoes, beans, and lentils. Giving a dog kibble stresses its digestive tract and strains its pancreas by spiking its levels of cortical, glucagon, and insulin throughout the day.
The denatured nutrients produced by these improper components and the high-heat processing used to make kibble are known as advanced gyration end-products. Inflammation and stress on several key organs brought on by AGEs can, in certain situations, result in a number of significant medical problems.
The canine species is unquestionably challenging. As scavengers, they will adapt and endure even when their diet lacks the natural nutrients they may require. But there is a vast difference between getting by and thriving.
Texas Heeler Dog Grooming
When grooming a Texas Heeler, be mindful that they may be sensitive to touch. They might become acclimated to routine grooming if they are exposed to it early in life.
Coat:
The Texas Heeler usually has a short coat. Grooming is not too difficult. They could, however, have the long hair of an Australian Shepherd parent. Try to brush their hair at least once a week if they have long hair.
Teeth Cleaning:
To guard against tooth decay and avoid bad breath, a Texas Heeler has to wash their teeth many times every week.
Nail Trimming:
Trim their nails often if they don’t get to run around on rough surfaces.
Ear:
Check their ears every day if they fold over to ensure they are dry and clean.
Brushing:
Brushing and bathing are necessary for Australian Cattle Dogs. This determined dog can get baths as frequently as every other week up to no more than once every eight weeks in order to maintain a clean coat and reduce dog odor. A healthy coat and skin start with proper coat care and upkeep.
Apply the shampoo to the wet coat by squeezing it through the hair, being sure to get it all the way through to the skin. A thorough shampooing session will help to develop a thick, sturdy, and controllable coat. It is a good idea to reduce the water’s temperature when rinsing the coat slightly skin.
Rinse the coat well, being sure to get every last bit of product out. To moisturize and feed each hair strand without altering the coat’s texture, use a mild conditioner. After bathing, pat the skin dry with a towel to eliminate extra moisture. Avoid moving circularly.
To eliminate surplus moisture, blow the coat out with an HV dryer. To lay the coat in the direction it grows, be sure to hold the nozzle sufficiently far away. To check for irregularities in the coat’s density, thoroughly inspect it with your hands.
Texas Heeler Training
Easy To Train:
Dogs that are simple to train are better at swiftly creating connections between a cue, like a word “sit,” an action (sitting), and a reward, like receiving a treat.
Other dogs need more repetition, patience, and training time. Although many breeds are intelligent, they approach training with a “What’s in it for me?” mindset. As a result, you’ll need to use rewards and games to make them want to comply with your requests.
Intelligence:
Just as dogs that were trained to run all day need to exercise their bodies, dogs that were bred for occupations that demand decision-making, intellect, and focus, like herding cattle, need to exercise their minds as well.
If they don’t receive the cerebral exercise they require, they’ll create their work—typically using activities you won’t like, like digging and chewing. Dog sports and occupations like agility and search and rescue are excellent methods to exercise a dog’s brain, as are obedience training and interactive dog toys.
Potential for Mouthiness:
Mouthiness refers to a propensity to nip, chew, and play-bite (a soft, primarily painless bite that doesn’t pierce the skin), common in most breeds during puppyhood and in Retriever breeds at all ages.
Dogs need training to understand that chewing on chew toys is OK, but chewing on family members is not.
Dogs are more inclined to use their jaws to hold or “herd” their human family members. Mouthy breeds frequently appreciate a good chew on a toy filled with goodies and kibble, as well as a game of fetch.
Prey Drive:
Terriers and other hunting-bred dogs have an innate impulse to pursue and occasionally kill other animals. Cats, squirrels, and maybe even moving automobiles can all set off that impulse. You’ll need a high, safe fence in your yard if your dog enjoys chasing other dogs.
These breeds are often not suitable for households with smaller animals that may resemble prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs. In contrast, breeds developed for bird hunting often don’t chase, although you may find it challenging to gain their attention while nearby birds are flying.
Tendency To Bark or Howl:
Some breeds bark more frequently than others. Consider a breed’s vocalization frequency before making your selection. Find out more about dog breeds that like to bark or howl. Would you find a hound’s distinctive cries soothing or infuriating if you considered getting one?
Will your dog be constantly on guard in a city full of untrustworthy “strangers” if you’re thinking about getting a watchdog? Will the fauna in the area truly drive your Dog crazy? Do you reside in a quiet neighborhood? Do you have any neighboring neighbors? If so, you might wish to consider a calmer dog.
Wanderlust Potential:
Breeds vary in their level of independence. Developed for long-distance travel, Siberian Huskies and other Nordic dog breeds will pursue anything that piques their curiosity. Even if it means leaving you behind, many dogs simply have to follow their noses—or that bunny that just raced across the path.
Texas Heeler Exercise
Here are some exciting things to do with your Texas Heeler to have fun and remain active.
Hiking:
Texas Heelers unquestionably like being outside. Next time you go on an excursion or are exploring new parks and hiking trails, bring your Texas Heeler with you.
Swimming:
Many Texas Heelers enjoy being near the water. Swimming is a great low-impact workout that improves endurance and helps with joint problems.
Fetch:
You may significantly increase the intrigue and excitement of fetch. Change it up using other objects—balls, sticks, and Frisbees. Make your Texas Heeler run into the water or over hills.
Obedience training:
Although practicing recovery, recall, and reinforcement of fundamental instructions may not seem like a severe workout, it nevertheless involves plenty of mental effort.
Texas Heeler Facts
- The purebred Australian cattle dog, one of the progenitor breeds of the Texas heeler, is sometimes known as a “blue heeler.” However, this moniker is applied quite loosely, and it’s typical to hear someone refer to a “Texas blue heeler,” which has no particular formal connotation.
- Due to their work ethic, amiable personalities, excellent trainability, and desire to please, Texas heelers make lovely assistance dogs.
- Texas heeler pups are typically born without tails.
Conclusion
Farmers, active singles, people with prominent families, and those who live in open places might consider getting a Texas Heeler as a pet. To be as healthy as possible for as long as possible, they require a lot of movement. Remember that they need early socialization to get along with other animals and occasionally young children.
This dog will make a very amiable, incredibly devoted, and affectionate pet for anyone prepared to put effort into caring for and amusing them.