Queensland Heeler : Everything you ever wanted to know about this intelligent, hard working breed of Australian cattle dog.
The Queensland Heeler, along with the Kelpie and the Dingo, is the dog breed most often associated with Australia. Made famous worldwide by the film Mad Max, the Queensland Heeler also goes by the name of Australian Cattle Dog, Queensland Cattle Dog, and Blue Heeler. These dogs have played an historic role in the running of Australian sheep and cattle ranches. A real working dog to this day, the Queensland Heeler is intelligent, tough and revels in its herding duties. While it is still a favourite of country farms and livestock stations, the breed is also an established family pet and serves homeowners well as a guard dog.
Queensland Heelers have become more and more popular as pets, and their intelligence shines through again and again as they quickly pick up new tricks. Easy to train and suitable for any environment, the Queensland Heeler has a natural playful side and often spontenously does something awe-inspiring or hillarious. The dogs are always great companions and are never dull. Due to their intelligence, the dogs are also perfect for training as guard dogs as well as show dogs, where they excel because of their strength, speed and agility. Queensland Heelers often win best at show.
Although working dogs at heart, when brought up in an environment with children, Queensland Heelers can be the most wonderful pets. Fiercely loyal and protective, a Queensland Heeler would never let a stranger anywhere near its human family, and that includes guarding the kids. When playing with kids, the dog is gentle and patient, and has good control of its temperment. As with all dog breeds that have a natural tendancy towards aggressiveness, a Queensland Heeler intended to be a pet needs constant loving attention. If treated badly the dog will revert to its natural behavioural instincts and defend itself viciously, so a caveat needs to be kept in mind when choosing one of this breed as a pet, particularly if it is obtained older than a few months. Pet dogs need to be introduced to a family from birth or the young puppy stage.
