Cattle Doodle: Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Guide

By
Edward Hollon
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Cattle Doodle: Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Guide

The Blue Heeler Poodle is a fascinating dog breed that is a mix between the Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) and Poodle. The Blue Heeler Poodle mix’s behavior and appearance depend on several factors depending on the genes that they inherit. We do that Poodle mix dog breeds have become extremely popular because of their hypoallergenic and nonshedding coats that tend to pass down to their offspring.

Best Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Guide
Best Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Guide

You’ll never know for sure what type of offspring will come from this hybrid dog breed, but we will explore some of the possibilities of what your Blue Heeler Poodle will look like and act. In this guide, we’ll give you a complete overview of the Blue Heeler Poodle mix.

Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) Poodle Mix
Blue Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog) Poodle Mix

Blue Heeler Poodle Mix Origin

The Blue Heeler Poodle mix was bred by crossing the Australian Cattle Dog with the Poodle breed. This section will cover its parent breeds, which are the Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) and the Poodle.

Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler)

Bred initially in Australia, this tough dog breed can withstand the harsh terrain of bushes. Blue Heelers are considered highly knowledgeable and great at herding livestock. If you want a hardworking dog with a strong will, the Australian Cattle dog is perfect for you. They thrive in the outdoors but if you live in the city, make sure you have enough space for them to run around.

Their bluish-gray fur has black and rust patches which form a beautiful pattern and give them the nickname Blue Heeler. They have a double coat that doesn’t grow so long, but it’s considered very thick when compared to the average dog breed. Even though they have a thick coat, they thrive in hot climates thanks to the insulation provided by their undercoat. Generally, the Australian Cattle dog is social and you can train them to be friendly to the people around you.

What is a heeler poodle mix called?
What is a heeler poodle mix called?

Poodles

Popularly known as a fashion accessory, Poodles are among the most intelligent dog breed you will ever encounter. These dogs are great at swimming, obedience trials, and agility. Contrary to popular opinion, they were initially bred as retriever dogs in Germany and not France. Poodles have a thick fur coat and classic webbed toes that are good for swimming. Although they only have a single-layer coat that doesn’t shed, they can thrive in most environments. Poodles come in different sizes which affect how big your Blue Heeler mix will be:

  • Miniature and Toy Poodles: Toy, Miniature, and Standard Poodles have the same coloring, fur, and general build. The only difference is in their size. Toy Poodles weigh around 4 to 6 lbs, while Miniatures can weigh up to 15 lbs. They are very energetic and good at sports activities just like Standard Poodles. These dogs have a slightly different personality than the Standard Poodle, but they make great companion dogs. Generally speaking, Toy and Miniature Poodles are intelligent and loyal to the people around them. They thrive when they are around their family. If an Australian Cattle Dog is bred with a mini or toy Poodle, they will generally weigh anywhere from 15 to 35 pounds.
  • Standard Poodle: Male Standard Poodles weigh about 70 pounds, but the females are a bit smaller, weighing around 50 lbs. Their coat color can be white, black, gray, apricot, blue, or several more coat colors. These dogs have slender builds with long legs and can be as tall as 15 inches. Generally, Blue Heelers bred with a Standard Poodle are going to weigh at least 40 pounds.

Which Breed Goes Best With a Blue Heeler?

  • The background of a hybrid has little or no impact on how well it turns out. No answer is considered right or wrong in this situation. However, it would help if you kept in mind that it is more feasible to crossbreed dogs of similar size. For instance, Toy Poodles may be too small to bear the offspring of an Australian Cattle Dog.
  • In general, people love breeding Poodle mixes because they don’t shed any hair. Blue Heelers tend to shed at least twice per year when the temperature changes which means you’ll get dog hair all over your car, house, and clothes. Generally speaking, when a Blue Heeler is mixed with a Poodle is won’t shed hair and will consider mostly hypoallergenic which is great if you have any pet allergies.

How would you describe the temperament of Blue Heeler Poodle Mix?

  • The temperament of the Blue Heeler can vary based on what personality traits they inherit from their parents. First of all, if they inherit traits from their Cattle dog parent, they could be a bit aggressive and tend to nip or herd children. These are not ideal traits for a dog to have if you have children in your home.
  • Therefore if you plan on getting this mix, you will have to observe their playtime with children. However, just because they may have aggressive tendencies does not mean they can’t be eliminated. Through adequate socialization from an early age, you will be able to diminish this behavior slowly.
  • They also have a watchdog instinct, so they’re commonly used as dogs in the military and the police.
  • Both breeds do have two things in common though, sociable nature and are very intelligent. This makes these dogs great with humans and animals in your home; they will turn into a playful and laidback pet if socialized while young.
  • Also, because they’re intelligent, they can learn tricks quickly and easily, making it easy for you to train them from a young age; if you train them a bit later, when adults, then it might be a bit harder.
  • As both parents are energetic, you need to have a space where they can exert their energy. Therefore small apartments or places with no garden are not suitable for this dog to live in. They’re also highly intelligent animals and easily can become self-destructive if they don’t have enough physical or mental stimulation.

Care and Grooming

  • How you care for your Blue Heeler Poodle mix will depend on their activity levels and size. If your Blue Heeler Poodle mix is large, you should avoid plush toys. Larger dogs can destroy or even digest such toys. Make sure you get highly durable toys for your hybrid. Small, fragile toys are a choking hazard, and you should avoid them altogether. Instead, go for antlers and heavy-duty chew toys. Not only will this prevent choking, but you’ll get save money as more fragile toys tend to break quickly.
  • If you own multiple dogs, you should get tug toys like rope toys. It would be best if you didn’t ignore your Blue Heeler Poodle puppy while it’s playing. Monitor them for any aggression. Sometimes, Blue Heeler Poodle puppies can get very attached to their toys and refuse to share them (resource guarding). This designer dog is intelligent and will always enjoy interactive dog toys and puzzles.
  • The downside of having a Poodle Blue Heeler mix is that this dog will require significant grooming. Since they typically won’t shed hair, they will require regular brushing in order to prevent mats and tangles. Additionally, you’ll have to give your Australian Cattle Dog and Poodle mix a haircut every 6 to 12 weeks because they don’t shed hair.

How healthy are Blue Heeler Poodle Mix?

Not all the time, but sometimes this Doodle mix might be susceptible to certain health problems. The typical health problems that this hybrid might face are:

  • Osteochondritis Dissecans: An inflammatory condition that causes the bone and cartilage to separate from one another. This can happen to their elbow, hip, or knee. As soon as it becomes inflamed, osteoarthritis will occur, and that can become inevitable.
  • Hip dysplasia: This is a condition where their hip joint loosens, and as they get older, they develop mobility issues, and it becomes painful for them to walk. Eventually, their hip starts to wear out against the bone and later could develop arthritis and muscle atrophy.
  • Deafness: It’s not uncommon for their Blue Heeler parent to be born deaf and some develop hearing problems later in life, causing them to go deaf. As this is a hybrid breed, they could potentially inherit this too.

Diet and Nutrition

The amount of food your Blue Heeler Poodle eats depends on its activity levels and size. A larger size dog means more food and higher activity levels. Ensure that you feed your dog enough to replenish lost energy, but not too much that they become obese. You may be tempted to buy some of the numerous cheaper carb-heavy dog foods out there, but we advise you to do your research. It’s best that you purchase a dog food that doesn’t have filler ingredients or common ingredients that cause food allergies like wheat, soy, or chicken. Additionally, make sure your dog gets lots of protein since they are highly active.

Puppy Cost

  • Unlike other Doodles or Blue Heeler mixes, this hybrid is not that common to find. While they’re not impossible either, the best is finding them through shelters and rescue organizations. Often the feeds from adoption tend to be a lot cheaper than buying them directly from a breeder.
  • Due to their rarity, it’s difficult to find the exact price you could expect to pay. However, if you plan to buy from a breeder, it’s important you request their papers and see their home and parents.
  • The last thing you will want is to end up getting this Doodle breed from a puppy mill. The puppy could be unhealthy, but it will take a good trainer to eradicate their bad behavior.

Exercise And Training Requirements

  • If you’re a couch potato, then this dog is probably not for you. This dog breed has lots of energy and requires a lot of exercises daily. Unfortunately, a casual stroll or a gentle walk won’t work either.
  • Their parent, the Australian Cattle dog, is often a breed recommended for most runners due to the speed it goes at and its passion for running. In addition to their daily walks, you will want to play fetch with them, hiking, playing with other dogs, and even agility training. Plus, if they inherit certain characteristics from their Poodle parent, then they could even love to play in the water.
  • But be prepared for a good couple of hours of walks a day to have their needs met. Once they’ve exhausted themselves, it will be easier for them to learn basic commands and undergo obedience training.
  • Another great working doodle like the Blue Heeler is the Portuguese Water Dog Poodle Mix.
  • When taking them out, you must train them how to use a leash. This doodle breed tends to have an instinctual nature for chasing animals and objects just like their Australian Cattle dog parent. The best way to train this breed is through positive reinforcement, providing them with a treat or a reward once they’ve done a good behavior.

Final Thoughts

It’s not possible to say for sure how the offspring of two different dog breeds will turn out. A close look at each side of the hybrid will help you understand its characteristics of your Blue Heeler Poodle mix. Australian Cattle Dogs and Poodles are intelligent, good at sports, and get along with people when properly socialized. Now that you’ve learned about the Blue Heeler Poodle mix, adopting one should be a more fun process.

Edward Hollon
https://petdii.com
Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.

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