Introducing You To The Blue Heeler Husky Mix: The Ausky Guide

The Blue Heeler Husky mix is one special dog breed. We can’t decide on what is better – their beauty or their intelligence.

This dog breed is a mix of two beautiful and popular dog breeds, and they inherited all the right characteristics from both parent breeds.

If you have ever seen this breed before, we are sure that you fell in love with it. The biggest problem with this mixed breed is that they are extremely beautiful, and because of that, people tend to get them.

However, they don’t get them for their temper, and sometimes the doggy ends up in the shelter.

We are here to present you with this breed as detailed as possible, and we hope that based on that, you will know whether this dog is for you or not.

We understand that their beauty is hypnotic, but their temperament needs to be the factor that makes you fall in love with them.

What we want to say before we start is that deciding on a dog breed that will be your future family pet is a hard task. Since you are here, you have either decided on this breed or you are narrowing it down, and we congratulate you on that!!

What Is A Blue Heeler Husky Mix? Meet The Parent Breeds

As the name says itself, a Blue Heeler Husky mix is a crossbreed between a Siberian Husky and an Australian Cattle Dog, a.k.a., the Blue Heeler. Both breeds are very intelligent, loving, loyal, hard-working, and goofy dogs.

The Husky Australian Shepherd Mix is getting very popular, and there are a lot more breeders whom you can choose from. You need to make sure that you find a reputable breeder who loves and cares about his or her dogs.

There might be a lot of scams, but do your research properly and take your time. Before we start by describing this beautiful mixed breed, we want to describe the parents briefly.

Australian Cattle Dog (ACD)

These dogs are intelligent and hard-working dogs. They are usually farm dogs, which is the most appropriate environment for these dogs because they need a lot of exercise and movement.

Keeping them in an apartment would be difficult, but not impossible.

The most popular colors of this breed are red and blue. You might ask yourself why they are called heelers. These dogs were used in Australia, where they originated from, for herding cattle.

They had a tendency to nip the heels of livestock and herd them. They used to be called Queensland Heelers back in the day.

These dogs can grow to be 17 to 20 inches tall, and weigh 35 to 50 pounds, and because of that, they are considered to be medium-sized dogs.

If you want to learn more about the process of them developing from a puppy into an adult dog, you can check out the Blue Heeler growth chart.

These dogs are known as shadow dogs because they get super attached to their owner and love to follow them around. This is their way of showing their devotion to their owner. They are amazing with kids and other animals.

RELATED: The Top 10 Best Blue Heeler Breeders In The U.S. (2022)

Dingo DNA

You might be asking yourself what a Dingo is? Well, a Dingo is a wild dog that can not be domesticated. They run free, and they love their independence. What does this have to do with a Blue Heeler?

A Dingo is actually part of their ancestry. This is one of the reasons why Blue Heelers have a bit of a wilder look to themselves.

Since the Dingo DNA is going through the blood of a Blue Heeler, there is a big chance that your Blue Heeler Siberian Husky mix will have some part of that genetic.

Siberian Husky

These goofballs are one of the most popular breeds in the world. These active dogs are amazing for families, big or small. They are amazing with kids, and they are truly friendly, even with strangers.

However, because of that, they aren’t the best guard dogs.

Huskies are very stubborn and playful, and these are the reasons why they are hard to train. You need a lot of patience and experience, and they are not recommended for people who have never had a dog before.

You can always seek help from dog trainers.

They aren’t aggressive dogs, but they are amazing escape artists so make sure that the yard is properly fenced, and if you are in an apartment, that the doors are closed. They will take every opportunity to escape.

They are often mistaken for an Alaskan Malamute, which almost looks like a bigger and furrier version of a Husky.

Even though they are goofy dogs with some stubborn traits, they are amazing, and will, for sure, be your best friend, and will show you their love and loyalty daily.

But, you need to be prepared for the huge amount of hair that will be everywhere because they shed a lot.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Appearance

Photo from: @amber_n_walker

This hybrid breed truly is candy to the eyes. Both parents are beautiful dogs – now imagine what a mix of the two will end up looking like. When it comes to their coat colors and patterns, every puppy in the litter will be different.

It is almost like their own fingerprint. The patterns can even change as they grow up so it almost feels like you are playing the color lottery. But, when it comes to their general appearance, it needs to be the same with every dog.

We will describe them briefly, but you can always check the AKC breed standard.

General Appearance

These dogs are considered to be medium-sized. They have a muscular body since they are always on the move. They also have a wider body. Their head is broad, and their snout is medium-long.

Their eyes are almond-shaped, and they can come in two colors: brown and blue.

Their blue eyes are mesmerizing, and it is almost that you can get lost in them. There is a chance that they can have heterochromatic eyes. That means that one eye will be one color, and the other eye will be a different color.

That is something that they inherit from their Husky parent.

Their ears are big and triangular, standing up and straight. There will be fur on the inside of their ears. If you see floppy ears, that means that it is a Husky and Australian Shepherd mix.

Coat

The coat colors are the best trait when it comes to their appearance. When you mix Blue Heeler colors with Siberian Husky colors, you end up with some amazing color combinations and patterns.

Some of the colors that are in the mix are white, black, blue merle, tan, red merle, black tricolor, silver, cream, brown, and gray.

These dogs have a double coat that is of high quality. In general, their coat is smooth, silky, straight, strong, shiny, and either short or medium-length. But, besides being beautiful, their coat has its purpose.

The coat protects them from all weather – cold, hot, rain, snow, water, and sunlight.

Since they have a double coat just like both of the parents, you can expect them to shed heavily, especially in the shedding season. This can be a problem for people who decide to keep them in an apartment.

Their undercoat is the reason why they shed, or, in other words, that thick layer of coat that is the protective one changes from time to time so it can keep the good quality.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Personality And Temperament

Photo from: @jonnymaccash

When you have a mixed breed, their temperament and personality can be unpredictable and unique. Since they aren’t really a new mix, their temperament isn’t that unpredictable, but it still varies.

There are some traits that we can for sure say are connected with this breed. We made a list of the main personality and temperament traits that you can expect from your Ausky.

Friendly

These dogs are true friends, and this is one of the reasons why they make amazing family members. They get along with kids perfectly, but since they are herding dogs, don’t be surprised if they start showing that skill with small children.

This designer dog will get along with animals as well, but early socialization will be needed. They tend to have a high prey drive so you need to teach them to be nice to small animals.

They love to spend time with their owner, and because of that, leaving them alone for a long period of time is bad for them.

They might develop separation anxiety and depression, and showcase destructive behavior.

If you know that you will be gone for a long time, you should hire a dog nanny or plan on getting another dog that might give them company.

Working Dogs

As a possible future dog owner who plans on getting this breed, you need to know that these dogs are hard-working. Besides daily exercise, they need some tasks where they will be both mentally and physically stimulated.

They make amazing herding dogs so if you have the opportunity to let them showcase that, it would be great. They can also make amazing therapy dogs as well as hunting dogs.

Agility competitions are great for them. They love to be active and mentally challenged so this is an amazing mix where they can shine and be in their element. But, this is sometimes too much for people who only wanted a family dog.

Intelligence

These dogs are extremely intelligent, which isn’t a surprise since both of the parent breeds are intelligent as well. They love to learn new things, but they can be a bit stubborn so you need to start with the training when they are puppies.

This is something that needs to be done with Husky puppies as well so we can see from which parent they inherited this trait. If they don’t get enough mental stimulation, they can become destructive.

With a bit of positive reinforcement, you can teach this dog anything.

When they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, they don’t mean this breed. Throughout their whole lifespan, they love to learn things.

Guard Dogs

Photo from: @blue_cruela

We mentioned that they are friendly, but don’t be fooled. They will always keep an eye on strangers. They don’t need much to get used to a person, but when you are lounging at home, they are super alert.

They love their owner and would never let anything happen to them so if they hear a strange noise in the yard, they will immediately go into watchdog mode. They are fearless so inspecting the territory will not be a problem for them.

Because of this, if you plan on having guests that your dog hasn’t met yet, make sure that your dog is the first to approach them. They will sniff them and see that you are good with those people so they can let their guard down.

They aren’t big barkers, but they will definitely bark to alarm you that there might be potential danger. Since Huskies howl and are famous for that, some people might ask if their Blue Heeler Husky mix will howl as well.

Just like any dog, an Ausky might showcase some howling, but this is rare. This is something that only Huskies do the best.

High Energy Dogs

These dogs have high energy levels, and because of this, they need a lot of exercise. They can be held in an apartment, but you need to take them out a lot. A house with a yard would be a better option for them.

You can take them for long hikes, but they need a bit more intense physical activity. The best thing is to teach them to walk and play without a leash so they can roam more freely and explore their surroundings.

Some playtime in the dog park will be amazing for them. If you don’t have time, perhaps, to take them, all you need is a ball. They love to chase it and return it to you.

All in all, this dog is not a couch potato, and if you are a family that lives an easygoing life, this dog might not be for you.

Sure, they have times when they love to lounge around and cuddle with their favorite owner, but that is after a day filled with movement.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Maintenance And Grooming

Photo from: @kuzonthedog

Every dog has some grooming and maintenance needs that must be fulfilled. Some dogs are easier to groom while others can be a bit of a hassle. The Blue Heeler Husky mix doesn’t need a lot of grooming, and they are quite easy to maintain.

We will describe the needs of this dog, what some things are that need to be done on a regular basis, and what things can be done from time to time.

Coats

As we already said, Auskies have a double coat, which means that they shed a lot. If you didn’t know, German Shepherds are a breed that sheds the most out of all other dog breeds, and the Ausky is close to that.

This is why daily brushing is recommended. You can brush them a couple of times a week, but daily brushing is beneficial, especially during the shedding season. This will prevent hair from going all over the place, and matting will be less prevalent.

These dogs have a coat that is water resistant, which is amazing if you love to take them out for a swim here and there. This is also good because they don’t need a bath that often. Once a month or even less will be enough for them.

Of course, if your dog finds a mud pond, you will need to give it a bath, but when it comes to their natural odors, you will be fine for a longer period of time. If you bathe them often, the natural oils they possess might be washed away.

Their coat isn’t long, and they don’t need regular trimming. If you feel like parts around the paws, belly, and snout are getting a bit longer, you can trim them down to prevent anything from getting stuck in them.

This can be done once every two to three months.

Ears

Since their ears are upright, and they have a lot of hair in them, regular ear cleaning should be a priority. Things can easily get in there, but they will be difficult to detect.

It would be a good thing if you check their ears every time you come back home from a hike or a dog park.

If something gets stuck in there, it can cause an infection, which will bring a lot of pain to your dog. Besides something getting in their ears, there are things that can naturally appear in them, like black gunk, for example.

If you aren’t sure as to how to pluck your dog’s ears, we got you covered. All you need to do is click here.

This can also cause an infection in your dog’s ears. There are some good ear cleaning supplies you can get, but if you don’t feel comfortable cleaning your dog’s ears, you can always take them to either a vet or a professional groomer.

RELATED: Dog Ear Wax Color Chart: Everything You Need To Know

Nails

Nail trimming is also very important because it can cause your dog pain if they grow out too much. If your dog is out often, the nails naturally stay shorter. But, check them at least once a month to see if they are growing.

When you notice them getting a bit too long, you can trim them by yourself. A lot of people find it scary to cut them themselves so you can take them to a vet or a groomer.

This can be tricky because if you cut them too high, the dog starts to bleed, and it can hurt them a bit. This can cause the dog to fear nail clipping, which will make the next clipping session difficult.

You can go to the vet and ask them to teach you how to properly cut their nails.

Eyes

A lot of people forget about the hygiene of the eyes. Dogs, just like we humans, can have some rudder building up in the corners of their eyes. There are many eye-cleaning liquids you can find on the market.

Since these dogs don’t have long hair around their eyes, it will be easier to detect something getting stuck around there. In general, things can not stick that easily around the eyes of this breed, but it is not impossible.

Always check their eyes because an eye infection can be tricky.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Training

Photo from: @bowieheelerhusky

As we mentioned already, this mixed breed needs a lot of exercise, but besides exercise, they need a lot of mental stimulation.

This breed can be stubborn sometimes, but they are highly intelligent so they will pick up everything you want to teach them quickly.

The most important thing is for you to stay persistent, and show that you are the pack leader. Some of the main things that your dog needs to adopt during the training process is:

– Obedience

– Socialization

– Discipline

– Agility

We will list some things that you will need to teach your dog, and most of them should be done while they are still puppies. This might get hard sometimes, especially when they are puppies because their concentration span is short.

You need to stay calm and not give up. When you feel like you want to give up, stop the teaching session for that day and start again tomorrow.

You won’t regret it because a lot of these things can determine the quality of life for both you and your dog.

1. Potty Training

This is one of the first important things you will need to teach your puppy. This one can be difficult depending on the puppy. Some might pick it up immediately while others may need longer time. This is much easier to teach them if you live in a house.

If you live in an apartment, this will take a lot of time and effort. We suggest you make a corner in the house where you will teach them to go to the bathroom at first. Since their bladder is small, they will pee constantly.

This will make it difficult to take them out on time every time they need to pee. But, hey… you can look at it as a form of exercise. In the beginning, you can start with a corner, and gradually move to take them out.

Sometimes, it might feel like they will never catch onto it, but we promise you they will. It is almost in their nature to go potty outside, and not pee and poop everywhere in the house. So, don’t worry – just don’t give up.

This is the most important training session where you need to be constant with the commands.

2. Basic Commands

Some of the basic commands are ‘sit’, ‘give paw’, ‘stop’, ‘lay down’, ‘roll over’, ‘play dead’, ‘drop’, etc. These commands should be taught when they are puppies.

‘Stop’ and ‘come’ are important commands for their future life, but commands like ‘sit’ or ‘roll over’ are just to start their mental development and to get them used to learning new things.

3. Leash Training

Photo from: @bowieheelerhusky

When the puppy arrives, it is important to teach them to get used to a leash. This will also seem very hard, and you might think that they will never learn, but it also depends on the puppy.

While teaching them to walk with a leash on, you can also teach them some other stuff like to come or to stop, and to teach them boundaries where they can and can not go.

The funny thing is that when they get used to the leash, you should start teaching them how to behave without a leash.

We already said that this breed needs to roam around and be active a lot, and teaching them to behave without a leash on will be amazing for both you and the dog.

They need to learn that they can’t go on the street, and that they can’t go far away from you.

When they learn all of that, then both of you will feel free. They can play however they want, and you can sit and watch your dog play, but always keep an eye on them, especially if the area is not fenced.

4. Crate/Kennel

This depends on the dog owner. Some people like to teach their dogs to sleep in a crate or a kennel while others give them a dog bed that looks like a cushion. Some people don’t mind if their dog sleeps anywhere around the house.

It is nice to make them a place in the house where they can feel like it’s their own, and can relax and rest without anyone bothering them. But, you have dogs that just don’t like that. For example, my dog has never liked any type of dog bed.

He just doesn’t need that space so he sleeps wherever he likes in the whole apartment. But, if you want your dog to be crate trained, you need to start early and calmly. Don’t force anything. At first, try for a short period of time, and then prolong it.

You want to make them feel comfortable in there, so you need to present the crate as a safe space for them. If you do this by force, they might think of the crate as something bad.

RELATED: 9 Best Dog Beds For Huskies: From Bargain Pick To Best Overall!

5. Playing With Kids And Small Animals

This is important if you have small children or animals in the house. The good thing is that when you get your dog as a puppy, they will easily get used to anything that is surrounding them.

They will grow up with the kids, and they will become best friends.

But, even if they get along and play for hours, and if there hasn’t been any incident, you always need to supervise that playtime. Sometimes, kids can get a bit rough unknowingly, and the dog might react just in defense.

It is important that you see how the dynamic is working out.

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Diet

Photo from: @bowieheelerhusky

These dogs need two to three cups of dog food, and you need to spread out the meals two to three times a day. Since these dogs are active, they will need nutritious dog food that will fulfill all their needs.

If you are not sure what food is the best option, you can always ask a vet for help.

You can give your dog probiotics that will keep the liver and kidneys healthy. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are amazing for your dog’s general health, and they keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny.

You can give your dog treats, but try not to do this often. It can cause them to gain weight, which will cause other health issues.

You can give them a carrot, for example, so they can nibble on it. It is good for their teeth, and it will not make them gain weight.

You can also mix their meals. What does that mean? You can give them meals that will be home-cooked, or, in other words, human foods. Besides that, some meals can be their dog food. This can be a good option, especially if your dog is a working dog.

Everything depends on what you want to give your dog. The most important thing is that the food is nutritious, and that your dog will get everything that it needs so it can function properly. But, what we advise you is to never give them spicy food.

RELATED: What To Feed A Sick Dog With No Appetite: We Are Here To Help You

Blue Heeler Husky Mix: Health Issues

Photo from: @nolamae_thehuskyblueheeler

When you are looking for a breeder, you need to make sure that they are a reputable one. One of the signs that you have found a breeder you can trust is that they care about their dog’s health.

All of their breeding dogs will go through DNA tests for any potential health problem.

All of their dogs need to be cleared health-wise. Their puppies will undergo all the necessary vet checks before arriving at their new home. But, unfortunately, there is always a chance that your dog will get sick.

Every breed, either purebred dogs or mixed dogs, has some health issues that they are more prone to, and so do Blue Heeler Husky mixes.

This doesn’t mean that your dog will get any of these for sure. With regular vet checks, a lot of these might be prevented.

But, what we want to say is that you can do everything in your power to keep your dog healthy, but still, they can get sick so don’t blame yourself if that happens. Here is a list of the health issues that this breed is more prone to

– Deafness. As they grow older, their hearing can lower.

– Progressive Retinal Atrophy. This is connected to their vision. It isn’t because of their age, but because their retina can deteriorate, and because of that, their vision will become weaker.

– Cataracts. This means that your dog might start to lose its vision as it grows older. They can even go completely blind.

– Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia. This can happen because of an injury or if they get older. Don’t worry – there are plenty of treatments for this. But, if this happens when they are older, it can be a bit tricky, but still manageable.

– Heatstroke. They have a double coat that can protect them from both heat and cold, but it is more for colder weather. If the temperatures are too high, and your dog is being very active, it can get a heatstroke.

– Osteochondrosis Dissecans. This happens when their joints lack blood flow.

Their life expectancy is 11 to 15 years. They are generally healthy dogs, and a balanced amount of exercise and healthy food will make them live a long and happy life.

FAQs

Photo from: @aloy_thesleepy_ed

What Is A Husky Blue Heeler Mix Called?

As with almost any mixed breed, this one will have a couple of names. Sometimes, the different names might confuse some people and make them think that these are different breeds.

Some of the names that a Blue Heeler Husky mix might be called are Ausky, Husky-Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd Husky, and Aussie Siberian.

They are, for the most part, self-explanatory, but for the people who don’t know that Blue Heelers are Australian Cattle Dogs, it can be a bit confusing.

They mostly confuse this mixed breed with the mix between a Siberian Husky and an Australian Shepherd. They are quite similar when it comes to their appearance, but they are different dogs.

How Much Does An Ausky Cost?

They can cost anywhere from $600 to almost $6,000. This depends on where you get them from.

You can always find them cheaper, but this can be a bit tricky because it can either be a scam or it can be that the people aren’t breeders, but have a litter or two during a period of a couple of years.

It is important to find a breeder who cares about their dogs, and that they are breeding them out of love and respect, not because of profit.

Finding a breeder for a mixed breed can be difficult, but since they are gaining their popularity, there are more and more trustworthy breeders who will sell you a puppy of top quality.

You should avoid puppy mills at all costs because they treat their dogs badly, and the dogs are held in terrible conditions. These places only exist to gain profit from the puppies.

How Big Do Blue Heeler Husky Mixes Get?

These dogs are considered to be of medium size. They can grow to be around 18 to 24 inches, and they can weigh 40 to 60 pounds. The females are just a bit smaller.

They are not that high, but they are wider. They have a muscular body because of all of that movement. Make sure that your doggy doesn’t get overweight because that will deteriorate the quality of its life.

To Sum It Up

Every dog is beautiful in its own way. These cuties have the mesmerizing beauty that makes people want to buy them. But, their personality is something that will either make or break the love for them.

They have amazing personalities, but this can be a bit too much for some people.

You need to be prepared to take them out a lot and fulfill their mental needs, which is not what every person is willing to do, but that is okay. This is why it is important to research the breed before purchasing it.

The Blue Heeler Husky mix is a wonderful dog that will show love, affection, loyalty, and kindness to its owner. We hope that by reading this article, you have fallen in love with this breed, and that it has made your decision-making a bit easier.

If you are planning to get this dog or any other dog, we wish you luck with your search, and that you connect with your dog as soon as possible.