Shepard Labrador vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

Shepard Labrador vs Red Heeler - Breed ComparisonRed Heeler is originated from Australia but Shepard Labrador is originated from United States. Red Heeler may grow 11 cm / 4 inches shorter than Shepard Labrador. Red Heeler may weigh 20 kg / 44 pounds lesser than Shepard Labrador. Both Red Heeler and Shepard Labrador has almost same life span. Both Red Heeler and Shepard Labrador has almost same litter size. Both Red Heeler and Shepard Labrador requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Companion dog
undefined
Australia
United States
Height Male:
43 - 51 cm
16 - 21 inches
53 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Height Female:
43 - 51 cm
16 - 21 inches
53 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
23 - 36 kg
50 - 80 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
23 - 36 kg
50 - 80 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 8
5 - 10
Size:
Medium
Large
Other Names:
Australian Cattle Dog, ACD
Sheprador, Shepador
Colors Available:
Reddish, Blue-grey
Cream, fawn - mix of colors, brown, tan
Coat:
Shortish and dense
Short to medium length - thick
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
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, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

red heelerKnown also as the Australian Cattle Dog, the Red Heeler is also known as the Blue Heeler. This is a breed of herding dog originally developed in Australia.

These dogs are known for their stamina and resilience with driving cattle over long distances in hot weather and across rough terrain.

It was George Eliott who developed the Red Heeler – crossing native Dingoes with Collies and other herding dogs.

In America, the breed was fully recognised in September 1980.

shepard labradorThe Labrador/German Shepherd mix, known as the Shepard Labrador was no doubt first bred in the United States from two very popular dog breeds - the Labrador and the German Shepherd.

Breeders of this dog were looking to bring about a dog that could be an exceptional companion with characteristics from both breeds.

Also referred to as the Sheprador, the dog will surely have an amazing temperament.

Description

red heeler puppy - descriptionThe Red Heeler is a medium-sized dog standing at between 43 to 51 cm in height and weighing in the region of 14 – 16 kg.

He is muscular, with a sturdy build. The coat of this robust dog is shortish and thick and quite often you’ll find a white star marking on he forehead. The coat is a blue-grey color or reddish. The tail of this dog is long and the ears are erect.

Temperament:

The Red Heeler has always been a working dog so he is energetic and lively, being independent and strong-willed.

He is super intelligent too and can be easily trained and socialized. He is a dog that simply loves the outdoors and if you don’t live on a farm, he is going to need lots of exercise.

He gets on well with kids and other pets, but children should be taught to respect him and be kind towards him, otherwise he might not tolerate them. He is a loyal, protective dog, wanting to ensure the safety of his human family.

shepard labrador puppy - descriptionWith the Shepard Labrador, because the puppies come from two pure breeds – the Labrador and the German Shepherd, there is no really knowing how your pet will turn out. There is therefore no standard appearance.

Some will have floppy ears like the Labrador, some erect ears like the German Shepherd. The tail will always be long. The coat will always be thick and be short to medium in length. Some puppies will be born with a fawn shade and others will have the dark colors of the German Shepherd. Some will have a mix of colors.

They will be fairly large dogs standing at between 53 and 62m in height and weighing between 23 and 36kg.

Temperament:

Between two such splendid dog breeds, you’re guaranteed to get a wonderful temperament – after all, that's why the two breeds were brought together. Your Shepard Labrador will be friendly, playful, social,smart, courageous, loving, loyal and energetic, just loving to be around his human family.

These dogs get on well with children, and with training and socialization will get on well with other pets in the home. This dog really makes a splendid family pet.

Characteristics

red heeler dog - characteristicsWhen you bring a Red Heeler into your home, you must know that you’re never going to have a dull moment. They’re not content to lie around with nothing to do. These popular dogs literally coax you to come out and to be active.

Red Heelers need lots of activities and lots of room, so they aren’t particularly suited to life in the city. Large properties and plenty to do is what they ask for.

Your Red Heeler is going to make a splendid pet, loyal and devoted, the perfect example of man’s best friend.

shepard labrador dog - characteristicsThere are studies that show that dogs provide us with so many good things – companionship, comfort and relaxation.They provide us with entertainment too because some of them are so amusing with their antics.

The Shepard Labrador is like that – he is social, friendly, loving and devoted and by bringing him into your home, you’re signing up for 10 – 14 years of sheer pleasure, less stress and superb companionship.

Health Problems

red heeler puppies - health problemsYour Red Heeler can live to be 15 years of age with good care. Every dog however, can fall prey to some of the many common dog diseases there are, some of which can be -

Musculosceletal Problems:

There are quite a lot of congenital and inherited musculoskeletal disorders in dogs, with some of the more common ones being hip dysplasia and muscular dystrophy for instance.

There are some of these musculosceletal problems which can be fatal. Some of the typical symptoms you’ll see with these problems are difficulty climbing stairs or jumping, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, arthritis and lameness.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

The retina of the eye is that light-sensitive part and which is part of the central nervous system. With retinal degeneration, the cells decline, leading to impaired vision and sometimes even blindness.

Some symptoms to look out for include dilated pupils, night blindness and the inability to see clearly in bright light. The disease worsens over times with sudden blindness being quite common with older dogs. Your vet will want a thorough history of your dog’s health.

Other dog diseases to be very aware of are cancer, obesity, bloat, hip dysplasia and epilepsy.

shepard labrador puppies - health problemsThe Shepard Labrador is a healthy dog breed, and with the right nutrition and exercise can reach 10 to 14 years of age. There are always going to be those common dog illnesses that many dogs succumb to. Some of them are hip dysplasia, cancer, skin problems and parasites.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip dysplasia is a condition where parts of the hip joints don’t fit properly together. This creates a situation where there is abnormal wear and tear on the joints. It can lead to arthritis even and pain for your dog.

Parasites – Tapeworm:

The tapeworm is a parasite spread to dogs but also to people, and it is through the ingestion of infected fleas. You can often detect this when you discover parts of the worm crawling in your dog’s bowel movements or they can be around the anus. You can suspect this when you see your pet losing weight and having diarrhea. Speak to your vet about how to control fleas with your dog.

Rabies:

This is a fatal disease where dogs are infected through bites from rabid animals. You’ll notice horrible behavioral changes in your dog. Unfortunately with this terrible disease, once symptoms appear, it is virtually too late for treatment.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

red heeler dogs - caringThe Red Heeler is an active dog, and apart from walks which will give him the chance to sniff around, he will need lots of other forms of exercise. Rope pulling games he’ll love and running after a ball will please him because it takes him back to days when he used to run around and herd livestock.

If you’re an outdoorsy type of person who loves hiking in the wilds and swimming in rivers, you can count this dog in.

Grooming:

You can look at the Red Heeler as a low maintenance dog. He does shed, but a good brush of the coat twice a week will be excellent for him. If he doesn’t wear his nails down naturally, you will need to trim them. Also, while you are brushing him, check his ears and eyes and inside his mouth to make sure he is clear of all infections.

Diet:

Red Heelers rely on good food for their resilience and stamina, and for convenience it is good to have commercially manufactured dog food as a backup. The best is home-made food which is easy to prepare and totally uncomplicated.

Simply add into one big pot chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pet's dry kibble once or twice a week. Simple and tasty, your Red Heeler will love it and thrive on it too.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.

shepard labrador dogs - caring◆Brush the coat of your Shepard Labrador twice a week to rid the coat of loose hairs and to keep the coat shiny ad healthy. Many people add in the Omega 3/6 oils to the dog’s food to ensure a healthy skin and coat.

◆Check the ears and eyes for infection. Make sure there are no signs of redness and discharge.

◆Check the inside of your pet’s mouth He has no way of telling you that a rotten tooth in the mouth is causing hi tremendous pain and affecting the his health.

◆Feel for new and unusual lumps on your pet’s body.

◆Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep. Make sure if he is outdoors that he has both sun and shade.

◆Keep your pet’s vaccines up to date to eliminate killer canine diseases.

◆Have your pet spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

◆Feed your pet the best food there is. Your Shepard Labrador will no doubt be served commercially manufactured food. There are good and bad varieties. Make sure it is one of the better brands to ensure you don’t end up feeding your pet foods packed full of unhealthy ingredients such as colorants, preservative and fillers.

Try and include some home-made food to the diet. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet as it won’t upset your dog’s digestive system.

Also try and include some raw meat into the diet as this can help in fighting off skin problems. Ensure your Shepard Labrador always has access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Red Heeler vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Red Heeler vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Red Heeler vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Red Heeler vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Red Heeler vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Red Heeler vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Red Heeler vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Red Heeler vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Red Heeler vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Red Heeler vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Red Heeler vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Red Heeler vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Red Heeler vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Red Heeler vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Red Heeler vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Red Heeler vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Red Heeler vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Red Heeler vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Red Heeler vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Red Heeler vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Red Heeler vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Red Heeler vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Red Heeler vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Red Heeler vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Red Heeler vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Shepard Labrador vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Shepard Labrador vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Shepard Labrador vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Shepard Labrador vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Shepard Labrador vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Shepard Labrador vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Shepard Labrador vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Shepard Labrador vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Shepard Labrador vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Shepard Labrador vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Shepard Labrador vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Shepard Labrador vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Shepard Labrador vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Shepard Labrador vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Shepard Labrador vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Shepard Labrador vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Shepard Labrador vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Shepard Labrador vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Shepard Labrador vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Shepard Labrador vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Shepard Labrador vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Shepard Labrador vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Shepard Labrador vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Shepard Labrador vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Shepard Labrador vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison