Breed an Australian Shepherd and an Australian Cattle dog and you have a Texas Heeler. Though it’s uncertain when this crossbreed originated, people started registering them in the 1970s. Breeders were looking for a dog with the herding skills of its parents along with a loyal, friendly temperament. Texas Heelers are members of the hybrid group.

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Texas Heelers are intelligent dogs that are alert to whatever is happening around them. Though these dogs were bred for herding sheep and cattle, they also make good pets for active families with kids that love spending time outdoors. This dog has an even temperament and sweet nature.

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The 3 Different Types of Texas Heelers and Texas Heeler Mixes

• Mini Texas Heeler
• Standard Texas Heeler
• Labraheeler

3 Pros and Cons of a Texas Heeler

Texas Heeler Size and Weight

Texas Heelers are medium sized dogs with a coat of short hair. Both male and females can grow to a height of 22 inches and can weigh up to 50 pounds, full grown. Texas Heeler puppies at 7 weeks old weigh about 9 pounds. These dogs are considered fully grown at 11 to 12 months.

Texas Heeler Common Health Issues

Texas Heelers have some common health issues. One of those is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t fit together properly. Limping, hopping, and running in an awkward way are all symptoms of this condition. Surgery is needed in severe cases of hip dysplasia. Other treatments for less severe cases include physical therapy, supplements, and weight loss.

Another common health issue is called distichia. Distichia is the growth of extra eyelashes at the edge of a dog’s eyes. This may seem like a small issue, but distichia can be painful. A veterinarian needs to treat this issue.

A third common health issue is cataracts. A dog with cataracts has cloudiness in one or both of its eyes. Surgery is needed for severe cataracts that interfere with a dog’s everyday life. The most common health issues include:

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• Hip dysplasia
• Distichia
• Cataracts

Texas Heeler Temperament and Behavior

There are two sides to the personality of a Texas Heeler. When it comes to the work of getting stray sheep or cattle back into the herd, this dog is laser-focused and persistent. Alternatively, when a Texas Heeler is at home with the adults and children in a family, it’s quiet and gentle.

One of the most valued traits of this dog is loyalty. These dogs are so dedicated to their family members they can become shy when unfamiliar people visit the home. These dogs are known for their alert behavior. They are experts at letting their family know when someone is at the door.

Texas Heeler vs. Blue Heeler

The Texas Heeler and Blue Heeler share some similarities starting with the word Heeler in their names! Of course, there are some differences between these two canines as well.

One of the similarities between these two dogs is their height. Both the Texas Heeler and the Blue Heeler are between 17 inches and 22 inches tall. Also, both dogs are moderate shedders and require minimal grooming. Blue Heelers and Texas Heelers are intelligent and loyal.

There are variations of both Texas Heelers and Blue (or Queensland) Heelers. There is a Mini Texas Heeler that only goes up to 40 pounds as an adult. A Mini Texas Heeler is created by breeding a Border Collie or a Mini Australian Cattle dog with an Australian Shepherd. There are also Mini Blue Heelers. These are created by breeding two Blue Heelers that are naturally smaller in size.

One of the main differences between these two dogs is the Blue Heeler is purebred while the Texas Heeler is a mix. Also, in terms of weight, Blue Heelers are heavier than Texas Heelers. Blue Heelers go by several names including Queensland Heeler, Australian Cattle dog, and Red Heeler. Texas Heelers are sometimes called Aussie Sheep Heelers and Texas Cattle dogs. A Blue Heeler’s coat can be red mottled or blue mottled whereas a Texas Heeler can be black, blue, chocolate, or white.

How to Take Care of a Texas Heeler

Learning everything possible about the healthcare, dietary, grooming, and exercise needs of this dog can help an owner to take good care of their new pet. Whether a family purchases a Texas Heeler puppy or adopts an adult dog, it’s best to know all about this hybrid dog.

The Best Dog Food for Texas Heelers

Texas Heeler puppies and adult dogs need different nutrients in their diet. Adding certain vitamins and ingredients to this dog’s diet can help to fend off some of its common health issues. Consider the diets of puppies and adult Texas Heelers:

Texas Heeler puppy food: Omega-3 fatty acids along with a supply of lean protein support healthy muscles and joints in this puppy. This is important for a canine that may develop hip dysplasia. Fat gives a puppy the energy it needs to run and explore every day. Calcium contributes to healthy bones, claws, and teeth. Though cataracts can’t be prevented, including Vitamin A in a Texas Heeler puppy’s diet can boost their eye health. Fiber is good for a puppy’s digestion.

Texas Heeler adult dog food: Chicken, fish, and other lean protein is essential in an adult Texas Heeler’s diet. They are energetic dogs that love to run, jump, and play so they need protein to support muscle, cartilage, and joint health. A limited amount of fat in an adult dog’s diet helps them to have the energy they need while not taking on extra weight. Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant. Vitamin A supports this dog’s eye health. Calcium keeps their teeth and bones strong and healthy.

Since the Texas Heeler’s shepherding background gives it herding instincts and loads of energy, it’s vital to feed it a dog food with robust nutrition to fuel the fun.

For balanced food packed with everything Texas Heelers need to stay healthy, one good choice is Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Natural Adult Dry Dog Food.

This high-protein dog food contains glucosamine, phosphorous, and calcium for strong bones and joints, to help reduce Texas Heelers’ chances of hip dysplasia. With chicken as the first ingredient, the balance of quality protein and complex carbs supports these dogs’ active lifestyles. There’s also omegas for good skin and coat condition and Vitamin A and taurine for eye health.

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• INCLUDES WHOLESOME GRAINS: Complex carbohydrates from wholesome grains help fuel your adult dog’s energy needs to support an active lifestyle. Plus, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health
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Texas Heeler Maintenance and Grooming

How much does a Texas Heeler shed? These dogs shed a moderate amount of hair. Most of them have short or medium-length hair that requires brushing once per week.

A grooming glove is a great tool for brushing this dog’s coat. It removes loose, dead hair while smoothing down the unique mix of black, blue, red, chocolate, and white hair in its coat. A grooming glove also offers more control when gently brushing a dog’s tail, legs, and face. If a Texas Heeler has hair that’s medium in length, a rubber slicker brush can be useful in removing tangles, dirt, twigs, etc. while not pushing against the dog’s skin.

Texas Heeler Training

Texas Heelers are intelligent canines, so they are known to be relatively easy to obedience train. It’s best to choose a training area with a minimal amount of distractions.

Not surprisingly, the Blue Heeler is intelligent and easy to train as well.

Texas Heeler Exercise

These herding dogs need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Remember, they were bred to be outdoors working on farms and ranches. But that doesn’t mean a family can’t enjoy this dog as a pet even if they don’t run a ranch. Taking this dog to the dog park, going out for a run in a nearby field or woods, or playing a game of fetch at the park are all ways to give this pooch some exercise.

Like Queensland Heelers, Texas Heelers are not suited for apartment life. They need a lot of space to move around so a home with a large backyard is ideal.

Texas Heeler Puppies

Texas Heeler puppies need exercise outdoors just like adult dogs do. Be sure to find a safe place for them to explore and stretch their legs until they receive obedience training.

Texas Heeler and Children

Socialized Texas Heelers are good with children. They have a gentle, affectionate nature. Kids who are active and like to run around are a perfect match for these energetic dogs.

Dogs Similar to the Texas Heeler

Other dogs similar to Texas Heelers are Border Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, and Swedish Vallhunds.

• Border Collie – Intelligence and an energetic nature are two big similarities between these two canines. However, Border Collies weigh less than Texas Heelers.
• Old English Sheepdog – This dog is very loyal just like the Texas Heeler and it makes a great watchdog. But Old English Sheepdogs weigh about ten pounds more than Texas Heelers.
• Swedish Vallhund – Both of these dogs are energetic and alert herding canines. They can both have black, white, or chocolate colored hair. However, the Vallhund is shorter and weighs less than the Texas Heeler.

Popular Names for Texas Heelers

Popular names for Texas Heelers include:

• Sam
• Boomer
• Sally
• Bandit
• Rosy
• Jack
• Luna
• Lucy
• Molly

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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