Which breed of dog

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This one might work to keep the strangers away. Don't know if it would meet your other criteria though. Looks like it wouldn't shed much.

dog.jpg
 
I'd stay away from heeler's. Maybe it was by chance but my experience... they are dumber than a box of rocks. The worst one, someone gave my dad one years ago. It would stand in the rain and bark at rain drops splashing in puddles, beyond stupid. Almost daily that dog would do something that'd leave me shaking my head in befuddlement. It eventually got run over on the highway, dumb dog wasn't even smart enough to stay out of the road. o_O

I’ve had heelers for many years and most rancher around here do as well. Have never had a dumb one or worked with a dumb one. Sorry to hear that.

Phideaux if you liked your Aussie your not far off on a heeler. Aussies are usually (not always) a bit more laid back and less serious about its job than a heeler. So having had an Aussie you probably have an idea what “more” would be like. Heelers are more business. They are fantastic guard dogs and usually seem to pick their person. So if it’s your dog it will always be your partner. Will follow you no matter what. Usually farmers and ranchers have one or more of each around here. They work well together. The heelers are more serious and Aussies more laid back.
Our female heeler has been my dog but happily spends time with my husband as long as I’m not out of sight. When I leave for town she sits at the fence watching the direction I went waiting for me to return. She won’t leave that spot until she has to. That’s not necessarily all heelers as I raised and trained her to be my partner from day one. It’s not often she’s left home. Other heelers we’ve had are more laid back than this one. Some have been big softies that take their guard duty seriously but will let people in and others are absolutely all business. No trespassing without permission. Just depends on the dog. The parents temperament and style can tell you a lot.
Australian Cattle Dogs have a tail. Queensland heelers have a docked tail. One is accepted by AKC and one isn’t. Both heelers.
If you were happy with your Aussie I would say consider another. They are overall great dogs. If you want something a bit smaller than a standard Aussie they now have “miniature” Aussies. Heelers are generally a bit smaller than standard Aussies also. A lot less fluff too which is why we have them vs an Aussies. The Aussie coat is a problem with stickers here.
Hope this helps.
Let us know what you end up getting.
 
A lot of interesting info on dogs. Thank you all for sharing. I had a boss that had a theory on finding a dog. She said she never picked a dog. She let the dog pick her. She would take the one that came up to her and showed interest or affection. An interesting theory. I never tried it, but it made sense. Has anybody else tried this?
 
I can tell you that a Rhodesian Ridgeback is not the kind of dog you want. It will be outside if its owner is. If owner goes into the house, RR wants to be as well. It wants to be wherever its person is, even in bed. They want to have eyes on or be in close proximity to their owners, snuggling right up. They are loyal and devoted and protective. If a stranger comes into your space, they will come up with a deep growl and a scary bark. They do well living with a group of other RR, but they are active and can be rowdy dogs. They are the second fastest dogs, behind greyhounds. They love to run and run! Not the kind of dog you want, but I love the breed. They were bred to hunt and protect from lions. You probably don't have a wild cat problem. They will chase any other animal: cats, birds, rabbits. If it moves, they are after it.
That's funny - our dog is boxer/ridgeback. He does like to chase, but won't bite to save his life. Perhaps it's the cross. I didn't know they were the second fastest- he is fast!
 
I’ve had heelers for many years and most rancher around here do as well. Have never had a dumb one or worked with a dumb one. Sorry to hear that..

Your not the first I've heard that from... I've just never seen it. My best guess... Who ever brought the first breeding pair to this area must have gotten them off the short bus... ;) I am being serious... I know of 3 heelers that came from the same source including my dad's. None of them made it to their 2nd birthday.
 
Our dog is a heeler mix, looks like a Kelpie, which is not an AKC breed and the Kelpie Association wants to keep it that way. She's a smart dog but does like to dig sometimes. Markings are very similar to Doberman with black body and orange points. Kelpie is a shepherding breed also and she tried herding us as a pup.
 
The Aussies I've seen all have docked tails. The pup I was given has her tail docked. Border Collies have their tails are also extremely smart and devoted, and hairy.


Oops, I forgot an Australian cattle dog is different than an Australian Sheppard. Just ignore me.:coffee:
 
You're referring to Australian Shepherd, aren't you, @Terri9630 ? While @Double R is referring to Australian Cattle Dog, which is known as Blue Heeler.
Yes, just clarifying also. Have another cup of coffee.
Y'all are saying the Australian Shepherds are mellow? They're real furry and shed like there's no tomorrow? Our girl will start shedding at the first sign of stress. Lol
 
:barf:. Dr Pepper...

Definitely not. They need a job. They are used for working cattle out here.
Me too on dr. Pepper, not coffee!

I thought someone said Aussies were mellow or mellower than Heelers.

We used to have to run our girl a lot because she didn't have a job. She was pretty intense. She's 8 now and has calmed down a little.
So, @phideaux . . . Back at ya.
 
A lot of interesting info on dogs. Thank you all for sharing. I had a boss that had a theory on finding a dog. She said she never picked a dog. She let the dog pick her. She would take the one that came up to her and showed interest or affection. An interesting theory. I never tried it, but it made sense. Has anybody else tried this?
Yes! Both of my daughter's ridgebacks chose her. She went to the breeder, sat and waited for them to come to her. This is the best way!
 
That's funny - our dog is boxer/ridgeback. He does like to chase, but won't bite to save his life. Perhaps it's the cross. I didn't know they were the second fastest- he is fast!
I've read that there are places where they race ridgies, like greyhounds are raced. Maybe in California? I could so see them chasing the rabbit, much like I saw sweet Crosby chase real rabbits.
 
Me too on dr. Pepper, not coffee!

I thought someone said Aussies were mellow or mellower than Heelers.

We used to have to run our girl a lot because she didn't have a job. She was pretty intense. She's 8 now and has calmed down a little.
So, @phideaux . . . Back at ya.
I see them chase balls over and over and over. Owners use a chuckit and chuck the ball repeatedly.

So many dogs do not get enough exercise. I saw a family chasing a husky today. Their husky gets out frequently and the 5 children are left to chase it down. A man helped catch it for them. Huskies run for hours. I know that huskies who do not get enough exercise escape and run. With the snow we have now, count on them loving to run in the snow.
 
My two Norwegian Elkhounds loved to pull sleds in the snow - and chase mice under it. They also caught birds in the air, cleaned the raccoons out of the area and took care of stray cats on the property.
They need a lot of exercise and loved the water.
 
My two Norwegian Elkhounds loved to pull sleds in the snow - and chase mice under it. They also caught birds in the air, cleaned the raccoons out of the area and took care of stray cats on the property.
They need a lot of exercise and loved the water.

My Elkhounds favorite place to sleep was in the cast iron bath tub. He would heel to my horse and go all over the countryside with us.
 
A lot of interesting info on dogs. Thank you all for sharing. I had a boss that had a theory on finding a dog. She said she never picked a dog. She let the dog pick her. She would take the one that came up to her and showed interest or affection. An interesting theory. I never tried it, but it made sense. Has anybody else tried this?
Yes. It’s very effective for finding an outgoing friendly partner. However one of my best dogs was super shy with people but the biggest love, sweet hearted but fierce when needed. So while it’s a go to sign for me when picking any puppy it’s not necessarily my only sign. It’s does show an outgoing curious smart habit though for sure.
 
You're referring to Australian Shepherd, aren't you, @Terri9630 ? While @Double R is referring to Australian Cattle Dog, which is known as Blue Heeler.
Yes, just clarifying also. Have another cup of coffee.
Y'all are saying the Australian Shepherds are mellow? They're real furry and shed like there's no tomorrow? Our girl will start shedding at the first sign of stress. Lol

yes Australian shepherds have longer thick coats and shed like mad. The longer coat is why we can’t have them here. They are just a foxtail/sticker magnet. Very good dogs though. I’d love to have another one day. Yes they are much mellower than Heelers. Their drive isn’t usually quite as strong. That’s a big part of it.
 
I see them chase balls over and over and over. Owners use a chuckit and chuck the ball repeatedly.

So many dogs do not get enough exercise. I saw a family chasing a husky today. Their husky gets out frequently and the 5 children are left to chase it down. A man helped catch it for them. Huskies run for hours. I know that huskies who do not get enough exercise escape and run. With the snow we have now, count on them loving to run in the snow.

In my opinion that’s the #1 reason for almost all bad behavioral issues. In the off season when our dogs aren’t getting enough exercise we take them for walks through the fields and throw a ball. Otherwise you definitely start to see issues. Our current rescue is a product of that. He is a extremely strong instincted heeler and a family thought it was a good idea to take him to San Francisco and put him in a top floor apartment with 4 small children and no exercise. I probably don’t have to say more?
 
Will an active dog, Aussie, get all the exercise they need just free running on the farm.
Chasing birds , rabbits, other critters.
I can't get out and play and walk and run with them.

I had an Aussie , and that guy never set still., Even when I was just sitting around .
They are hyper.

Some dogs like hounds need to be motivated to exercise I'm sure

Jim
 

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