Irish Terrier vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Irish Terrier vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonIrish Terrier is originated from Ireland but Blue Healer is originated from Australia. Both Irish Terrier and Blue Healer are having almost same height. Irish Terrier may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Blue Healer. Both Irish Terrier and Blue Healer has same life span. Both Irish Terrier and Blue Healer has almost same litter size. Irish Terrier requires Moderate maintenance. But Blue Healer requires Low maintenance

History

irish terrier - historyThe Irish Terrier is a dog breed from Ireland and one of the many different terrier breeds there are.

Nobody is too sure of the Irish Terrier's history but it is one of the oldest terrier breeds. It appears as if the dog breed was developed from a wheat colored terrier and the extinct black and tan terrier.

It was always a common practice to crop the ears of terriers, but in 1889 the Irish Terrier Club required that the ears remain uncropped. The first Irish Terrier was shown in 1881, and the first Irish Terrier registered with the American Kennel Club was in 1885. The Irish Terrier Club of America was founded in 1896.

blue healer - historyIt was in 1802 that George Hall arrived in New South Wales, establishing 2 cattle stations. He had a problem – getting his thousands of cattle to the Sydney markets. He began looking at the prospect of a droving dog and imported a number of dogs of which a blue mottled dog emerged.

The dogs were crossed with dingoes and by 1840 the Halls Heelers were used by the Halls. However with the death of one of the Halls, their cattle stations went to action and the dogs, the Halls Heelers became available.

The dogs attracted attention, and the term ‘Australian Cattle Dog’ was adopted. The name referred to those dogs coming from Thomas Hall's ‘Heelers’. There have been many arguments about the origin of the breed, but the red or blue offspring known as Hall's Heelers were proven cattle drovers, and with further breeding experiments which included the Australian Kelpie, dingoes and the Dalmation, by 1893, the tough, robust working breed known as the Blue Heeler or the Australian Cattle Dog came about.

Basic Information

Group:
Terrier dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Ireland
Australia
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
11 - 12 kg
24 - 27 pounds
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
11 - 12 kg
24 - 27 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
1 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Irish Red Terrier
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
sandy, golden, Red, wheaten
Blue mottled, Red mottled
Coat:
Shortish, wiry, dense
short and dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
Yes
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

irish terrier puppy - descriptionThe Irish Terrier is a medium sized dog who stands between 45cm and 50cm and weighs in the region of 11 to 12kg. He has a short, dense, wiry double coat which is a red, golden, sandy, wheaten color.

The ears of the dog are semi-erect/semi-floppy and the tail is held high and curved.The chest is deep and muscular and the front and back legs are strong, long and muscular.

Temperament:

The Irish Terrier is a companion dog today, even though he was once a guard- and hunting dog. He is an amicable dog while also being alert and active. He is also independent and strong-willed so he will require training and socialization as then he becomes obedient and relaxed and much easier to live with.

They're social dogs too, loving all the members of their human family, getting on well with children in the home.

blue healer puppy - descriptionBlue Heelers are medium-sized, sturdy, compact dogs who are somewhat longer than tall. The female Blue Heeler measures roughly 43–48cm at the withers, while the male measures about 46–51cm. If your Blue Heeler is in tip top condition, he’ll weigh about 15 to 22 kilograms. They are muscular with pointed, erect ears, dark eyes and long tails which are mostly hanging downwards. Their dense coats are blue- or red speckled and sometimes with tan markings.

The Blue Heeler is a ball of energy and he is clever too. You won’t find him sitting around for too long, and if there is sign of a walk or a ball game, he’s in! He is an independent dog, and although he makes a wonderful family pet, he tends to attach himself to that one special person in his life. He is a natural watchdog and protector of his human family.

Characteristics

irish terrier dog - characteristicsIrish Terriers are good with people and want to be an active member of their human families.

They are active dogs and will require ongoing mental and physical stimulation. This is a lively dog, but he still loves to spend quiet time indoors with his family.

They’re intelligent dogs with a strong sense of loyalty towards their owner, making excellent family pets.

blue healer dog - characteristicsTraining and socializing of your Blue Heeler will ensure that your dog does what you want him to. The Blue Heeler is an intelligent, responsive dog and training can benefit him, turning him into an outstanding family pet, good with children and other pets in the home.

He is a playful, affectionate pet who doesn’t take easily to strangers, and this is what makes him such an excellent guard dog.

Your Blue Heeler is not an apartment dog as he requires a lot of exercise, and cooping him indoors for too long with nothing to do can lead to destructive behavior.

Head-strong, independent and robust, your Blue Heeler will need a firm owner who is boss. Add to the firm owner a lot of love and care, and you’ll have a devoted friend.

Health Problems

irish terrier puppies - health problemsThe Irish Terrier is a healthy dog breed and you won't find yourself running to the vet often with him, but still he can land up with one of the common dog problems.

It is always wise to be aware of hip dysplasia as this is a disease which can occur in all dog breeds and all dog ages. Also look out for eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts as these can lead to blindness in your pet.

There is a disease known as cystinuria which is quite a concern with Irish Terriers. It’s an inherited kidney disease where increased amounts of arginine, lysine, amino acids cystine and ornithine are excreted in the urine.

In well-functioning kidneys, blood is filtered so as to create urine. Cystine is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream but with dogs affected with cystinuria they cannot reabsorb cystine back in their bloodstream, causing an accumulation in the urine. Dogs with cystinuria suffer inflammation of the urinary tract and can also develop urinary blockage and kidney failure. Immediate veterinary intervention is required.

blue healer puppies - health problemsAustralian cattle dogs are healthy and can live up to 15 years of age, but even so there are some genetic conditions that you will need to be aware of following

Eye issues which includes progressive retinal atrophy – this disease is an inherited disease of the retina of the eye where the rod cells are destined to die. Fortunately it is not painful for the dog. There are different types of inherited retinal degenerative diseases in dogs but going into detail with them is beyond the scope of this article. For more information you can chat to your vet.

Recessive piebald elleles - the Blue Heeler has recessive piebald alleles which can produce white in the skin and coat and which is linked to congenital hereditary deafness.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish terrier dogs - caringThe coat of the Irish Terrier requires a brush twice a week to keep it bright. If you intend showing your dog, the coat will need to be stripped a couple of times a year to maintain the texture and color.

Other Irish Terrier owners take their dog to the groomers to have the coat clipped. The dog doesn't shed a lot and they are referred to as being somewhat hypoallergenic.

As with any other dog breed, other grooming needs with your Irish Terrier will include clipping the nails, checking his teeth for plaque build-up and checking inside the ears for infection.

If you're unsure how to perform these grooming procedures with your pet, simply ask your vet who will explain to you precisely how to ensure your dog remains in tip top condition.

Exercise:

He's a fairly active dog so you want to make sure that you are attending to his exercise needs. Take him for a walk every day, and if you've got a good sized garden, throw a ball for him. If you're a jogger you can count him in.

Diet:

What you feed your Irish Terrier will depend a lot on his age and his activity levels. Every dog is a unique individual and nothing is set in stone regarding their diets. Just like people though, feeding him a lot of junk food will contribute to illness and shorten his lifespan.

He needs quality food. If you buy commercially manufactured food, make sure to read up on how much to feed him. Try and mix in some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables from time to time as well as some raw meat.

Learn to know what foods are toxic for him. Make sure he has a bowl of fresh, cool water constantly available to him.

Provide Plenty of Exercise

blue healer dogs - caringRemember that your Blue Heeler was once a full time cattle dog where he used to become totally and utterly exhausted from herding cattle. This is what he loved – the activity. If you have a Blue Heeler, you will need to provide him with plenty of exercise.

If you live on a farm, your Blue Heeler will be in his element because he can run, walk and swim to his heart’s content. If you keep your Blue Heeler in your back garden, you will need to provide him with ball games, rope games, long walks, running on a leash as you cycle and other activities.

Grooming

Your Blue Heeler has a short, weather-resistant double coat. He’s not a heavy shedder, but he will have his share of seasonal shedding, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of brushing him at least twice a week. This will get rid of all those loose hairs and keep his skin healthy by getting the blood flowing and distributing his natural oils.

Feeding

Giving the best dog food for your Blue Heeler will come from either your home made food or a top quality commercially manufactured dog food. He is such a high energy dog, that your veterinarian can advise you on a dog food specially designed for high energy breeds.

These foods are well balanced and are enriched with amino acids and vitamins, promoting healthy bones and joints. Remember to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and to ensure a constant source of cool, fresh water.

General care

Ensure your Blue Heeler’s ongoing health by paying attention to ears, nails and teeth.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Irish Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Irish Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Irish Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Irish Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  9. Irish Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Lakeland Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Jagdterrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Old English Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Scoland Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Skye Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Irish Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  29. Blue Healer vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  31. Blue Healer vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Blue Healer vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  33. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. Blue Healer vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  35. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Blue Healer vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  37. Blue Healer vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  38. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  39. Blue Healer vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  41. English Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  42. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  43. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  44. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  45. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  46. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  47. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  48. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  49. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  50. Red Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds