American Eskimo Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison

American Eskimo Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed ComparisonAustrailian Blue Heeler is originated from Australia but American Eskimo Dog is originated from United States. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and American Eskimo Dog are having almost same height. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and American Eskimo Dog are of same weight. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and American Eskimo Dog has almost same life span. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and American Eskimo Dog has almost same litter size. Both Austrailian Blue Heeler and American Eskimo Dog requires High Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
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Australia
United States
Height Male:
45 - 50 cm
17 - 20 inches
23 - 48 cm
9 - 19 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
23 - 40 cm
9 - 16 inches
Weight Male:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
4 - 16 kg
8 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 14 kg
26 - 31 pounds
3 - 12 kg
6 - 27 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 16 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 7
1 - 5
Size:
Medium
Small
Other Names:
Queensland Heeler
, Spitz
Colors Available:
blue, red
White with cream or biscuit markings
Coat:
blue speckled or red speckled with dark or cream marks
Heavy, thick, double
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Stubborn
Grooming:
High Maintenance
High Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

austrailian blue heelerIn 1840, George Elliott made a match with Australian Dingo and Collie and got a clever and very active dog breed – Australian Blue Heeler. Soon, he showed his good herding instincts and protective nature and got really popular among the cattlemen and ranchers. Soon, as the USA soldiers arrived in Australia, they decided that it will be a great dog to bring home.

Australian Blue Heeler has short, double coat. The coat is water resistant and helps them when the temperature is too high as well. Their coat is rough to the touch, naturally. They can be found in blue or red coat colour mix. The Blue Heeler isn’t actually blue, but their black coat has a bluish tint. Red Heelers have red fur instead of black. They have long tails, strong legs, Dingo-like heads with pointy ears and muscular necks and balanced and athletic bodies.

american eskimo dogThe American Eskimo is derived from the Nordic Spitz breed and most closely related to the German Spitz in particular. There were many German Spitzes in the United States at the time of the second World War and anti-German sentiment caused its name to change to the American Eskimo Dog. However, as the breed developed over time in the States, the American Eskimo became its own separate breed. In addition to the German Spitz, the American Eskimo is also related to the white Keeshond, the Samoyed, the white Italian Spitz and the white Pomeranian. The history is beginning to show that the Spitzes that were brought to the US in the early 1900’s was white. This color was not popular in Europe but was quickly the favorite in the United States. They were originally working dogs on farms and ranches. They have excellent herding instincts, make goo watch and guard dogs, and good law enforcement sniff dogs. However, their first introduction to the American public was through the Cooper Brothers’ Railroad Circus and Stout’s Pal Pierre at the Barnum and Baily Circus. Eskimo puppies were sold after the circus show.

It was then that the breed became one of America’s favorite breeds and they quickly became house pets. Following World War II, Japan exported the Japanese Spitz into America and it was crossed with the Eskimo also. The American Eskimo Dog breed was not recognized by AKC until 1985. Still in 1958 there was no official breed club in the States but there were growing numbers of the dogs. It was not until 1970 did the National American Eskimo Dog Association (NAEDA) come into being. They collected the pedigrees of the first 1750 dogs to be AKC registered.

Since the American Eskimo Dog is not recognized internationally, those wishing to participate in international competition such as England’s prestigious Cruft’s Dog Show must register their dogs a German Spitz. Despite this the American Eskimo and German Spitz remain two very different breeds.

Description

austrailian blue heeler puppy - descriptionThis breed is somehow designed for an outdoor life and outdoor activity. This implies that Blue Heelers have nature made of the high dose of energy. They are always ready to go anywhere you go, and they will be a loyal friend. They are actually very clever, intelligent and ready to help.

If you are a type of the person who prefers being indoors and having minimal physical activity, Blue heelers are not the type of a furry companion for you. They have a high daily need for the activity, and they love having lots of space to run and explore. Sometimes, you will realize that having a leash is a must because they will get so playful that they will forget about you!

If you start teaching them to be friendly with other dogs while they are still pups, they will accept that kind of lifestyle. But, if your Blue Heeler is raised as the only dog on the ranch, note that they won’t be very friendly toward other dogs.

Since most of the herd dogs usually respond to only one person, most of the Blue Heelers can follow this old instinct. They can be very independent, as well, and they are usually not the type of the dog that will always be around your leg waiting for a cuddle or ear scratch. But, they build the respect towards humans depending on how they treat him so they can be very lovable and friendly pets.

If you are still confused about their name, you must know that the Blue Heelers can actually lightly nip your heel for attention. They are not aggressive, but they tend to be very protective of the family, humans around them and their property.

american eskimo dog puppy - descriptionThis small to medium dog is beautiful and resembles a miniature Samoyed. There are three sizes of American Eskimothe standard, miniature, and the toy. The Eskimo’s head is wedge shaped with tall, triangular, erect ears. It has a heavily plumed tail with a sharp curl over the back. The Eskimo can burst into bold action due to their good legs and feet.

The coat is a double one with a harsh outer coat and plush inner one. The coat is always white or white with cream or biscuit markings, and visible skin in gray or pink. The American Eskimo’s ruff or mane is very heavy, and the nose, eyelids, pads and gums are black. They have dark eyes and blue are not allowed.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

austrailian blue heeler dog - characteristicsThey are generally good with children, but you must be aware of their inherent desire to herd. Always supervise when your Blue Heeler is around small children.

Special Talents

Ball tricks, frisbee fun, running companion, herding cattle.

Adaptability

It is best to buy a puppy. These dogs get attached to one human and to the territory.

Learning ability

They are generally quick learners. If you teach them to be playful, friendly and loving, they will learn it in no time. So be aware of the decisions that can cost you when the dog grows up.

american eskimo dog dog - characteristicsThe Eskimo is affectionate, playful and love children of all ages. They are intelligent and want to please you. They can be trained easily and are champions of the obedience trial. They are fun and confident. At the same time, they need a confident pack leader. He is prone to Little Dog Syndrome where the dog thinks they oversee the home and display all sorts of behaviors. Under these circumstances the American Eskimo can become obsessive, aggressive, and engaging in obsessive resource guarding and barking.

Health Problems

Eye problems

austrailian blue heeler puppies - health problemsProgressive Retinal Atrophy usually causes slow and painless loss of sight. This process takes years, but there are cases where this disease took only months before the dog ended up completely blind. It is advisable to take your Blue Heeler to the vet for a test that can tell you if your dog is carrying the gene for this disease.

Lens luxation is a disease where the lens of dog’s eye separates partially or completely. Good news is that this disease can be treated.

Joint diseases

Most common is the hip or elbow dysplasia. This is the disease where hip joints do not develop properly and begin to grind. This condition can sometimes be treated with physiotherapy, but there is a chance that your Blue Heeler will need a surgery. If you have a habit of regular vet checks and keeping your dog slim and fed with quality food, you can a make a big difference.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) causes the dog to have excess cartilage and deficient bone, where cartilage does not get replaced by bone during fetal development. This disease usually requires surgery and prescribed medicines.

Deafness

Congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness – CHSD is a common form of deafness.

Bilateral deafness can be identified when the dog is still a puppy, more-less at six weeks of age. A puppy with deafness in only one ear is harder to identify, but it can happen.

Portosystemic shunt means that the blood flow is getting back into the bloodstream instead of passing through the liver. That means that liver can’t clear out the toxins, and the organ itself fails to grow properly. This inherited type of shunt can be treated with surgery if the diagnose is set on time.

american eskimo dog puppies - health problemsThe American Eskimo Dog is prone to hip dysplasia. Their eyes and tear ducts are potential issues with progressive retinal atrophy. They are allergic to fleas and have a tendency to be overweight.

We deal with PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) in greater detain in a following section but it is not as destructive as it used to be. It is much more treatable now.

There are potentially some dental issues that some American Eskimo Dogs are prone to.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

austrailian blue heeler dogs - caringChoose a dog food that will provide nutrients that will help in the bone developing. Since they are more likely to suffer from joint diseases, you must take this advice seriously. It would be great if you speak about this with your vet before you choose food on your own.

Feeding the adult

The best food for Blue Heeler is a high-quality food which supplies them with premium nutrition to fuel their activity.

They also drink a lot of water, so be sure that they always have a fresh water available.

Points for Good Health

Lots and lots of the outdoor activity and a quality food. You must be very cautious because this kind of dogs gets overweight easily because they just love the treats and extra food portion.

Games and Exercises

Any outdoor activity that is mentally challenging and interesting enough to keep them from running in the field trying to catch anything that moves.

Feeding

american eskimo dog dogs - caringYour American Eskimo Dog needs a high quality food so they will not get overweight. Make sure you know how much is appropriate for your particular dog and her specific age. The puppies should be fed twice a day but adults only once.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the American Eskimo Dog is prone to eye issue such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy or (PRA) – this disease is inherited and used to cause blindness as the rods in the retina died. New medical discoveries mean this is no longer a hopeless disease. Their eyes are also susceptible to other issues so make sure you check them and the tear ducts regularly.

Like so many other breeds the American Eskimo is also susceptible to hip dysplasia and a moving patella in the knee. For this reason watch their weight. They can also be very allergic.

Exercise and games

This small dog has more energy than his size can handle. He needs a lot of exercise and a place to run. If he will become hyperactive and destructive. They are prone to disturbing behaviors such as spinning (spinning in circles) when they don’t get enough exercise. The American Eskimo Dog is smart and agile, Play games like catch or agility. They are also great at herding, competitive obedience or detection.

Comparison with other breeds

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