Anyone Ever Own a Red Heeler

[heartshot]

Just curious if anyone here has ever owned a Red Heeler. We had one dumped in our area. We live out in the country, and there wasn't an option of taking him to an animal shelter. After unsucessfully trying to run him off, and watching him get weaker every day, we decided to feed and care for him.

I put him in the dog run, and he quickly gained my trust. He was never aggressive and was very loveable. We thought that to find him a good home we would have to get him his shots. He was a nervous wreck going to the vet but we got him there today.

Unfortunetly the vet said he had heartworms, and it was best to put him down, which we finally agreed. I guess while I ask is because it baffles me why someone would dump what appeared to be such a great dog?

I wouldn't hesitate to own a Red Heeler again some day (cattle dog), and just wondered if any of you had any insight into these dogs. Thanks!

[d_e_smith]

we have one, and apparently some heartworm meds don't work on the breed (for whatever reason)... we had to give her some alternative meds and keep her out of the heat for, if I remember correctly, 6 weeks and not let her get excited. She isn't used for anything though, except an extra mouth to feed, but is a real sweet, mild tempered dog.

[cj7zrcool]

Had one 20yrs ago. Jumping-est dog I've ever owned. Lived in town at the time and he would run and ricochet himself off the house and over the 5' chain link fence. Finally gave him to a family that had more room for him to run/roam.

[wrangler1]

Heelers are an absolute GREAT breed!

[HandiKap Bowhunter]

Had one that I just put down cause of a tumor. He was almost 17 years old. He was a great dog and worked cows and protected the property with his life. I have two blues now that are 16 and 8 and are both the same way protect everything around me and my family.

[Brett C]

I have always had blue heelers & IMO there is not a better dog in the world to me. I use mine on my ranch everyday & they make awsome pets to. I have had red ones but they didnt work for me.

[Exit110]

Some friends of mine had one and without a doubt it was the smartest dog I have ever seen

[texag93]

Yep, have a 10yr old female. Got her from the pound when she was 1-ish. They can be hard headed with a mind of their own.

[ar3731guy]

i had both blue and red heelers when i was younger. they were all working cowdogs. i caught many a wild cow with them. i had one that went everywhere with me. he would go to school with me and stay in the truck till i got out of class. never had to lock my truck with that dog in the truck. he had a bad habit of riding on the cab of my truck while going down the highway. i never threw him and he lived a long happy life.

[flufster]

i had a 3/4 red and 1/4 blue that was the best dog a man could ever ask for...i always kinda felt like i wasted him cuz he was smart enough to be working on a ranch somewhere but instead he was doing college kid party tricks...lol...he retired to my parents house a couple years ago and i had to drive to abilene this last winter to put him down....17 years old and still had that sparkle in his eye the day he died even though he was dealing with a tumor and some pretty bad pain......coolest dog i ever knew

[Bobcat]

Motivated.

That is how you describe a heeler. Hardheaded, smart, strong-willed, strong, protective, TOUGH and just about the most rough and ready breed out there. That bull headedness can cause trouble though. The energy level would be something that would have to be considered to. Almost manic at times in some dogs. They have a drive to work to exhaustion sometimes. Putting any crazy bird dog's energy level to shame.

Heartshot, that good dog was a mixed breed. That might have made the diffrence to the people that should have taken care of the dog.

[Alaskan]

Motivated.

That is how you describe a heeler. Hardheaded, smart, strong-willed, strong, protective, TOUGH and just about the most rough and ready breed out there. That bull headedness can cause trouble though. The energy level would be something that would have to be considered to. Almost manic at times in some dogs. They have a drive to work to exhaustion sometimes. Putting any crazy bird dog's energy level to shame.

Heartshot, that good dog was a mixed breed. That might have made the diffrence to the people that should have taken care of the dog.

That's a pretty accurate description right there. The one in the pic is definitely a mix of some kind, not a purebred. We have two blue heelers, one's about 10 and the other is 3. They're fun and smart dogs, but we don't use them for any kind of working purposes.

[flufster]

Motivated.

That is how you describe a heeler. Hardheaded, smart, strong-willed, strong, protective, TOUGH and just about the most rough and ready breed out there. That bull headedness can cause trouble though. The energy level would be something that would have to be considered to. Almost manic at times in some dogs. They have a drive to work to exhaustion sometimes. Putting any crazy bird dog's energy level to shame.

Heartshot, that good dog was a mixed breed. That might have made the diffrence to the people that should have taken care of the dog.

sooooooo, true

[heartshot]

[Heartshot, that good dog was a mixed breed. That might have made the diffrence to the people that should have taken care of the dog.]

We new he was mixed, but even the vet couldn't decide what with. Any thoughts?

[Roy]

I had a Heeler/Catahoula mix female and she was the best dog I've ever had! Loyal, friendly, and loving. She was 13 years old when she passed due to lung cancer. I truly miss her.