Tornjak vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

Tornjak vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed ComparisonTornjak is originated from Croatia but Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia. Tornjak may grow 21 cm / 9 inches higher than Australian Red Heeler. Tornjak may weigh 34 kg / 75 pounds more than Australian Red Heeler. Tornjak may live 3 years less than Australian Red Heeler. Both Tornjak and Australian Red Heeler has same litter size. Both Tornjak and Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate maintenance.

History

tornjak - historyKnown also as the Bosnian and Herzegovinian, the Tornjak dog hails from Croatia and Bosnia and is a large mountain sheepdog.

It is thought that this protector of livestock dog has been bred from the Tibetan Mastiff. He is an ancient breed because there are records of its existence coming as far back as the 11th century.

As a working dog, his role of guarding sheep became less and the dog’s numbers diminished. It was during the 1970s that the breed was revived.

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:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Croatia
Australia
Height Male:
58 - 72 cm
22 - 29 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
58 - 72 cm
22 - 29 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
28 - 50 kg
61 - 111 pounds
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
28 - 50 kg
61 - 111 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 7
3 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Croatian Mountain Dog, Bosnian Shepherd Dog
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
Colors Available:
White with tan, brown or black markings, grey
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Coat:
Long and thick
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Description

tornjak puppy - descriptionThis is a large, strong dog, standing at between 58 and 72cm in height and weighing between 28 and 50kg. He has a long, thick coat which has always protected him from the harsh winters of the countries he comes from.

Common colors for the coat are mainly white with tan, brown, grey or black markings.

Temperament:

The Tornjak is a beautiful dog and also calm by nature, well balanced, intelligent and self- confident. His calm nature doesn’t stop him from being a good watchdog though as he is also alert and brave.

He is more than willing to please his owner and is able to be trained and socialized with ease.

He is a social dog and just loves spending time with hs human family. Therefore efforts should be made not to leave him alone for long periods of time. He forms strong bonds with them and is loving and devoted. Because of his size and energy he won’t suit life in the city on a small property but will be better suited to life in the countryside.

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

These are quiet, brave dogs but they can be good watchdogs too.

Calm and balanced, he is capable of being alert too and makes a good watchdog.

tornjak dog - characteristicsWith their human family, they become attached and loyal, not wanting to be separated from anyone for too long. Give him the care this beautiful dog deserves and he'll make you a splendid pet and companion.

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

tornjak puppies - health problemsMost dogs face one or two health challenges in their lives, but most Tornjaks are healthy and won’t easily get sick.

They’re large dogs so they typically don’t live as long as small dogs. They can live to be between 10 and 12 years of age.

Patellar Luxation: 

This is a dislocation of the kneecap, caused by an injury or it can be present at birth. It can cause pain and a limp.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a joint condition that is more often seen in large dogs. The ill-fitting joint rubs and chafes, and osteoarthritis and more pain is the result.

You will have to speak to your vet about relieving the pain for your dog and making him more comfortable. Don’t think hip dysplasia is something only old dogs get – it can develop with young dogs – even puppies. Your veterinarian will examine your pet and suggest different medical and surgical options.

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:

tornjak dogs - caringThe Tornjak needs exercise every day to keep him fit and happy. He will love it when you take down his leash for his daily walk. He is a social dog and will want to be involved with all your activities. He gets on well with other dogs too.

●Grooming:

The Tornjak will require quite a bit of grooming because the hair is fairly long and it sheds. Some dog owners have the hair cut by a professional groomer. Regular brushing certainly helps to reduce lots of dog hair flying around.

The insides of his ears need to be checked for signs of redness as well as the eyes. The eyes should be checked for pus and redness. Occasional dog nail trimming will also be required.

● Vaccines:

Keep his vaccines up to date to avoid deadly canine diseases.

● Diet:

Provide your Tornjak with top quality food. If you feed him with one of the commercially manufactured foods, make sure it is one of the better brands. The inferior brands are filled with bad ingredients that can actually make a dog sick.

Try to include some home-made food which can be added to the dry kibble twice a week as a treat. Avoid human foods such as chocolates, grapes, onions, peanuts and chips as these can give him stomach pain and more vet bills for you.

Stick to wholesome, simple foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. Your Tornjak will love it and it will ensure he has bright eyes ad a wagging tail. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

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. Tornjak vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  2. Tornjak vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  3. Tornjak vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  4. Tornjak vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  5. Tornjak vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  6. Tornjak vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  7. Tornjak vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  8. Tornjak vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. Tornjak vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  10. Tornjak vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  11. Tornjak vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  12. Tornjak vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  13. Tornjak vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Tornjak vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  15. Tornjak vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  16. Tornjak vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  17. Tornjak vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  18. Tornjak vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  19. Tornjak vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Tornjak vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  21. Tornjak vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  22. Tornjak vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  23. Tornjak vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  24. Tornjak vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Tornjak vs Mackenzie River Husky - 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. Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  50. New Zealand Huntaway vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds