Bullenbeisser vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia but Bullenbeisser is originated from Germany. Australian Red Heeler may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Bullenbeisser. Australian Red Heeler may weigh 18 kg / 39 pounds lesser than Bullenbeisser. Australian Red Heeler may live 3 years more than Bullenbeisser. Australian Red Heeler may have less litter size than Bullenbeisser. Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate Maintenance. But Bullenbeisser requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Molosser dogs
undefined
Australia
Germany
Height Male:
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
51 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 7
8 - 11
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
German Bulldog
Colors Available:
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Fawn or Brownish
Coat:
short and dense
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

History

australian red heelerWhen 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.

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

Description

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.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

Characteristics

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.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Health Problems

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.

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

Caring The Pet

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.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

Comparison with other breeds

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