Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed ComparisonBlue Lacy is originated from United States but Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia. Both Blue Lacy and Australian Red Heeler are having almost same height. Blue Lacy may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Australian Red Heeler. Both Blue Lacy and Australian Red Heeler has almost same life span. Both Blue Lacy and Australian Red Heeler has almost same litter size. Blue Lacy requires Low maintenance. But Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate maintenance

History

blue lacy - historyThe Lacy brothers came to Texas in 1858, and this breed is named after them. They wanted a strong, robust working dog. It is a working/herding dog breed that originated in Texas in the mid 19th century.

It is interesting to note that in June 2005, Governor Rick Perry brought about legislation adopting the Blue Lacy as the official Dog Breed of Texas. The breed is also registered by the National Lacy Dog Registry and the Animal Research Foundation.

Today the Blue Lacy is considered to be the perfect all-around dog, with the Lacy family history noting the breed to come from a mix of scent-hound, greyhound and coyote cross. There are theories around the scent hound used, with some believing it could have been an Italian Gray Hound, but whatever the case, the Lacy brothers established this breed under the guidelines required to develop a recognized breed.

australian red heeler - historyWhen George Hall arrived in the New South Wales Colony in 1802 he set about ‘creating’ a tough working- or herding dog. By crossing Australia’s native Dingoes with Collies as well as with other herding dogs, the robust Red Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog came into being. Today he is a thick-set dog, ideally suited to working livestock.

Ranchers, particularly, were impressed with the breed’s toughness and they were sought after on cattle stations. The name actually comes from them when the dogs are herding animals, they nip at their heels to get them moving.

The Blue Heeler and the Red Heeler breed are the exact same dog, but just different colors. These Australian cattle dogs originated in Australia in the mid-1800s and adapted well to the harsh desert environment of the outback.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Australia
Height Male:
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
46 - 53 cm
18 - 21 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 23 kg
35 - 51 pounds
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 23 kg
30 - 51 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 16 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
3 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Lacy Dog, Lacy Game Dog, Texas Blue Lacy
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
Colors Available:
Grey, blue, black, cream, tri-coloured
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Coat:
short and smooth
short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal, Constant
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

Lithe, Sleek and Agile to Look At

blue lacy puppy - descriptionThe medium-sized, well proportioned, muscular and lithe Blue Lacy stands at roughly 46–53cm. He has a coat which is smooth and short and in an attractive gun-metal gray color which can be classified as blue or almost black. Other shades are also available such as cream, yellow, reddish and you also get tri-colored Lacy’s.

Pure Blue Lacy’s have some white markings on their brisket. Whatever color you have, these clean-looking dogs with their low maintenance coats are referred to as Blue Lacy’s. Their brown eyes are bright and alert, they have long tails and their ears hang down.

A Wonderful All-Round Dog

The American Blue Lacy gives one the sense of speed, agility and endurance. He is intelligent, active and alert, being an all-round dog who can adapt to being among ranchers and cowboys and then become gentle with children and his family.

With socialization, he is also tolerant of other dogs. Because he is so intelligent he can be quickly trained, and training and socialization will be recommended for him to ensure he is the perfect all-rounder he was designed to be. His alertness makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Muscular Body

australian red heeler puppy - descriptionThe Red Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, muscular dog with ears that are pricked and with dark, alert eyes. The tail is long. The neck, shoulders and legs of the Red Heeler are strong and muscular. The dog is longer than tall – the length of the body is greater than the height at the withers. A well fed, well exercised, well cared for Red Heeler will weight roughly 15–22 kilograms.

The Coat

There are 2 coat colours of the Reeler – red and blue, but there are are lesser varieties such as chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings. It is interesting to note that with both the Red- and the Blue Heeler, puppies are generally born white, with the coat turning to red as they mature.

These Australian Cattle Dogs display patches of solid colour, and you might well find masks over one or both eyes and a white tip to the tail. Both the Red and Blue Heeler can have a white star on the forehead which is referred to as the Bentley Mark. The Heelers have a double coat - short, straight outer hairs while the undercoat is short, fine and dense. Despite their short coat, they shed a lot.

Characteristics

blue lacy dog - characteristicsYour Blue Lacy is such a low-maintenance, easy dog to have. Remember to have your puppy vaccinated from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. These vaccinations start from 6 - 8 weeks of age. Also, because different areas have different regulations surrounding the rabies injection, check with your vet about this one.

A socialized, trained Blue Lacy makes such an awesome pet but you have responsibilities towards him. You need to know precisely what is required to keep him healthy and happy.

This is a versatile working dog who is intelligent and alert but also sensitive to being mistreated. Treat him decently and in exchange you’ll have a loyal, devoted canine family member.

australian red heeler dog - characteristicsYour Australian Red Heeler needs plenty of exercise but also plenty of companionship too from his human family. He is an affectionate, playful pet but is reserved with people he doesn’t know. When socialized he is patient with children in the home but he does still have the tendency to herd them and nip at their heels. The dog builds up a strong bond with his human family, and is protective toward them, being happy to be close to his owner’s side.

Take Time out to Play

Red Heelers need activities and lots of room to play, and they therefore won’t adapt to apartment living. If you don’t live on a farm, don’t neglect your working dog as he will need lots of rough and tumble games and activities to keep him from boredom. Treat your Australian Red Heeler with the love, patience and kindness and you’ll bring out the very best from this active, loyal fur-friend of yours.

Health Problems

blue lacy puppies - health problemsThe Blue Lacy is generally a healthy breed, but just like with any other dog breed they will be prone to some health conditions. Blue Lacys can also suffer with the likes of hip or elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a disease of the hip where the ball and socket joint is malformed. Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints don’t develop normally. It needs to be watched as it can result in loss of function of the hip joints. The disease can often begin when the dog is still very young.

Hypothyroidism

Some breeds are genetically predisposed towards hypothyroidism, but environmental factors and certain medications can trigger autoimmune reactions. Not only that, a tight collar can also cause thyroid damage. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are weight gain, skin problems, dislike of the cold and even hair loss and then it’s time to get your pet thyroid-tested.

Eye Problems

australian red heeler puppies - health problemsThe Australian Cattle Dog is quite often affected by progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition where the rods and cones in the retina of the eye deteriorate later in life, and it could lead to blindness. This eye illness is an autosomal recessive trait, and even if the dog doesn’t develop the condition himself, he can be a carrier of the affected gene.

Fractures

The Heeler is just bursting with personality and energy and a study of dogs diagnosed at veterinary colleges described fractures and ligament tears as one of the most common conditions treated with the Australian Red Heeler.

General Health

You love your Australian Red Heeler and you want to take good care of him. Check with your vet because at 8 weeks he should be starting with his first puppy vaccinations.

To keep your best friend healthy and happy, watch his diet, ensure he gets plenty of exercise, brush his teeth regularly to remove plaque build-up, and always call your veterinarian when you see he is ill and isn’t his usual boisterous self.

Caring The Pet

Exercise

blue lacy dogs - caringTypically of working breeds, the Blue Lacy is going to need a firm owner who provides guidance and leadership, and who is responsible with providing the Lacy with plenty of exercise. This dog was created for work, so they will be totally at home on a farm. If not, they will require long walks every day with lots of ball games too.

Grooming

Care for the Blue Lacy doesn’t take much effort. He isn’t much of a shedder and therefore has low grooming requirements. He’ll require being brushed twice a week to get rid of loose hairs. If you start early with this grooming routine, he looks forward to this ‘bonding’ session.

Routine maintenance will require nail clipping and teeth cleaning as plaque can build up and leave your pet with dental problems and gum disease. Ask your veterinarian about dental care because there are special dog-designed toothpastes and brushes. Also check for ticks and fleas in and around the ears of your dog.

Food

Your Blue Lacy is a high energy working dog so he will require a balanced diet to cater for his energy levels. He will certainly require some raw meat from time to time to avoid skin problems. Home prepared meals are also good and these can include rice, meat and vegetables.

Remember when in any kind of doubt, speak to your vet about dog food which meets the requirements of your dog, his age, his breed and his activity levels. Always have a bowl of clean, cool water available to him around the clock.

Grooming

australian red heeler dogs - caringThe Australian Red Heeler is a low maintenance dog. He does shed quite a bit so you’ll need to brush his coat at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to keep his coat lustrous. When your dog has been in a particularly dusty area, you you wipe his coat down with a damp cloth. As with all dogs, you’ll want to check his teeth, ears, eyes and nails regularly to avoid health problems.

Training

If you care for your working- and herding dog you’ll train him to that he becomes a good family dog and companion. The Red Heeler has plenty of energy and stamina and if he grows up untrained and un-socialized, you could see him becoming aggressive towards other animals and even your own children. He certainly becomes over-protective of his territory if not socialized. Train him as he is an intelligent breed and responds well to training.

Diet

Any vet will tell you of the critical importance of a proper diet and exercise routine for your dog. He’s an active, smart dog with loads of energy and you want to keep his diet consistent with this energy. Speak to your vet about what food would suit your pet best, because a high quality diet appropriate to his age, his body size and his energy levels will be important. Along with high quality foods which include a good intake of raw meat, your dog must always have access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  2. Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  4. English Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  5. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  6. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  7. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  8. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  9. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  10. German Coolie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  11. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  12. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  13. Red Heeler vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Lacy vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  16. Blue Lacy vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  17. Blue Lacy vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  18. Blue Lacy vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  19. Blue Lacy vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  20. Blue Lacy vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  21. Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  22. Blue Lacy vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  23. Blue Lacy vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  24. Blue Lacy vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Blue Lacy vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  27. Australian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  28. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  29. Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  30. Bearded Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. English Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Australian Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Catahoula Cur vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Australian Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Catalan Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Bergamasco vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Berger Picard vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  43. Queensland Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. German Coolie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Bohemian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  46. Croatian Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  47. Red Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. New Zealand Huntaway vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds