Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix: A Guide On This Mighty Crossbreed

The combination of an American Pitbull Terrier and a Blue Heeler…

Is this a scary dog? Or, a sweet family companion that only looks intimidating, but is a gentle soul, actually? Our goal for today is to find answers to these questions.

Hybrid dogs are becoming quite popular today. While some are crazy about them, others do not support crossbreeding.

However, many breeders undertake this kind of breeding to produce extraordinary puppies that will inherit the best from both of its parents.

So, let’s see what we got with the Blue Heeler Pitbull mix.

What is this mixed dog like? Did he indeed inherit the good traits from his parent breeds?

Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix: Meet The Parent Breeds

To find out all there is about this mixed dog, first, we have to present its parents. They are the Blue Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, and the American Pitbull Terrier.

So, let’s find out what the character traits and appearance features are that this mixed dog can inherit from its parents.

The Blue Heeler

Alert, intelligent, and loyal… the Blue Heeler is a wonderful working dog. Working here does not only mean that this dog is an extraordinary shepherd dog breed – even if you are not living on a ranch, this dog will still be very good at many different tasks.

Actually, this dog breed needs work to feel good!

Now, let’s see what the story is behind this dog breed.

Breed History

Its official name today is the Australian Cattle Dog, but it is also known as the Red Heeler, the Queensland Heeler, and under the name that most people still call it – the Blue Heeler.

The ancestors of this dog were the Smithfield dogs… dogs that were bred in the United Kingdom and then arrived in Australia. This is where the Smithfield dogs were crossed with wild Dingoes – the famous Australian dogs.

The Blue Heeler was originally bred as a herding dog breed in the 19th century in Australia.

In addition to being an excellent guide for cattle, this dog could withstand harsh weather conditions very well, so shepherds found them very useful for this job.

Throughout the years, this dog kept his reputation as a hard-working dog. Besides being very good as a herding dog, people also noticed how loyal and devoted this dog is.

Today, the Blue Heeler is a part of the American Kennel Club’s herding dog group.

Appearance

The Blue Heeler is a dog with a muscular and compact body. His ears are set apart, his skull is broad, and his eyes are very expressed.

According to the Blue Heeler growth chart, this is a medium-sized dog whose average height goes from 17 to 20 inches, while his average weight is between 30 and 55 pounds.

These dogs have a smooth, double coat. Their shedding amounts are moderate, but usually increase two times a year. In these periods, it is recommended to brush these dogs more often.

Their coat comes in blue and red color, and it can also have markings. Accepted markings in this dog breed are red, tan, and black and tan markings.

Temperament

The Blue Heeler is a hard-working, intelligent, and energetic dog. He needs a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation. So, this dog is the best choice for active people who have enough time to dedicate to their dogs’ needs.

This dog is extremely loyal and devoted to his owner. He loves and protects his human family, but he is not a fan of strangers, and he might even be hostile towards them.

The only way to put this behavior under control is to socialize and train this dog from his puppyhood.
Boredom is something that should never be present with the Blue Heeler. If he gets bored, he might show destructive behavior.

Exercise Needs

This dog has high energy levels, so his exercise needs are pretty high. Of course, this all depends on the dog owner and his habits. For some, this dog will be too much to handle. For some others, it will be a piece of cake.

So, a Blue Heeler needs to be active all of the time. Sure, he will enjoy a walk in the neighborhood with you, but this will not be enough for him. He needs creative and interesting activities that will help him spend his enormous amount of energy.

Therefore, this dog is great for participating in dog sports or to be a part of any activity, such as hiking or jogging.

Health Issues

The Blue Heeler’s average lifespan is estimated to be from 12 to 15 years.

There are some common health problems that are often found in these dogs. The following are those health problems:

• Deafness

• Hip Dysplasia

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy

The American Pitbull Terrier

Many people call the American Pitbull Terrier a Pitbull, but do you know that this dog is actually just one type of Pitbull dog?

Besides the American Pitbull Terrier, there are three other Pitbull dog types: the American Bully, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to the history of the American Pitbull Terrier.

Breed History

Considering the history of the American Pitbull Terrier, you might conclude that we have an intimidating dog breed here. This dog was used for bear and bull baiting many years ago. Later on, this dog participated in dog fighting.

Soon after this, ranchers started using American Pitbull Terriers on their properties, where they turned out to be marvelous protectors and hunters.

Besides these characteristics, people soon discovered how this dog was also a gentle and loyal companion to people.

Appearance

Muscular and strong are two words we can use to describe the American Pitbull Terrier in a simple way. This is a medium-sized dog, with his average height going from 17 to 21 inches, and his average weight from 30 to 60 pounds.

His head is large, and his chest is strong, so this dog looks tough, and even scary.

This dog’s eyes are round and small. When it comes to his ears, I am sure you are all well-familiar with the controversy surrounding Pitbull ear cropping.

Although this practice is not represented today as it used to be, you can still see these dogs with cropped ears.

The American Pitbull Terrier’s coat is short and smooth. Standard coat colors are black, black and white, chocolate, and tan and white.

Temperament

His appearance may tell you that he is a vicious dog, but don’t let this fool you! This dog is primarily a family dog that adores children, and is endlessly loyal to its owner.

The American Pitbull Terrier is actually so friendly to everyone that it would not make a great watchdog! He will probably become friends with any stranger in a couple of minutes.

Besides being a good family dog, the American Pitbull Terrier is also successful as a therapy dog and a service dog.

Furthermore, this dog is highly intelligent, and he can be trained to work as a police dog, and show great skills in search and rescue actions.

Exercise Needs

The American Pitbull Terrier is a very active dog that needs a lot of activities. By ‘a lot’, we mean an hour or even more of daily exercise. Jogging, hiking, walking, playing outside – any kind of activity will be great for this energetic dog.

Besides physical exercise, this dog needs a lot of mental stimulation, too. Puzzle games or any other kind of brain stimulation is a must with the American Pitbull Terrier.

These dogs need to be active all the time – they do not react well when they have nothing to do.

Just leaving the dog outside playing is not enough with a Pitbull dog. They need to have interaction with their owner, and a concrete task to do.

So, this dog’s owner should be very included in his dog’s activities, and he needs to be creative in his efforts to provide his dog with mental challenges that will keep the dog interested, and that will allow him to remain a healthy and happy dog.

Health Issues

The life expectancy for American Pitbull Terrier dogs is estimated to be from eight up to 15 years. So, with regular vet checkups, quality dog food, and meeting the needs for physical and mental activities, this dog can live a very long life.

However, as with any dog breed, it is necessary to mention certain diseases to which American Pitbull Terriers are prone. They are the following:

• Allergies

• Hip dysplasia

• Heart disease

• Hypothyroidism

Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix: Basic Info On This Hybrid Dog

Photo from: @stylinpawssalon

So, we have a Blue Heeler and an American Pitbull Terrier. Both high-quality and strong dogs… am I right? So, what do we get with mixing these two purebred dog breeds?

We get a mixed breed dog – the Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix, also known as the Pit Heeler, the Australian Cattle Dog Pitbull mix, and the Queensland Pit.

How do these mixed dogs look? What is their temperament? What are their exercise needs? Is this the best dog to become your family member? Let’s find out everything!

The History

This mixed dog has only been with us for the last few decades, so we don’t have exact data on when the first Pit Heeler was created.

What we can learn about this dog is found in the history of both of its parents. But, what we can say for sure is that the combination of Pit Bull and Blue Heeler produced one hard-working, energetic, and loyal dog.

We believe that this dog will only gain real popularity in the coming years due to its desirable characteristics.

What Does A Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix Look Like?

These mixed dogs are powerful and muscular. They have large jaws and a round head, just like their American Pitbull Terrier parent.

Their chest is muscular and strong, which they inherited from their Blue Heeler parent.

They have a short and thick coat, which sheds moderately. Common coat colors in this dog are brown, gray, and white.

Besides being one-colored, these mixed dogs often have markings on their white coat. These markings can either be black or brindle.

Since this is a mixed dog, we can never be completely sure what the coat color of this dog will be – just like we cannot be sure whether it will look more like a Blue Heeler or like an American Pitbull Terrier.

How Big Will A Pitbull Blue Heeler Mix Get?

Photo from: @athena.the.gorl

The average height of this mixed dog goes from 17 to 21 inches, and they usually weigh from 30 to 65 pounds.

Of course, we repeat again that there are no official expectations regarding mixed dog characteristics, and this also refers to their height and weight.

It is possible for your mixed-breed dog to be completely healthy without his height and weight falling within the limits of the expected parameters.

However, what we can do is predict the height and weight of a mixed dog based on the parameters of its parent breeds.

Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix Temperament

We got to know that the Blue Heeler is one energetic and hard-working dog, and that the American Pitbull Terrier is very friendly and intelligent.

What about the hybrid dog whose parents are these two dog breeds? What is the Blue Heeler Pitbull mix’s temperament like?

1. Loyal And Loving

This mixed dog is very loyal and loving to his owner, and this is why it makes a wonderful family pet.

If you have preconceived notions about a dog that originated from an American Pitbull Terrier, I will tell you just one thing: this mixed breed dog inherits its friendly nature from the Pitbull itself!

So, this dog is actually very gentle and kind to its loved ones. His attachment is so strong that he can’t stand being away from his owners for a long time.

Pit Heelers are more likely to develop separation anxiety if they spend most of the day alone.

Therefore, this dog is a better option for people with a more flexible schedule, and people who have more time to devote to socializing with their dog, spending time with it in nature, training it, and assigning it various activities.

2. Eager To Please

This dog is devoted to his owners, and is eager to please them, so training this dog should be a delight for any dog owner.

Of course, this does not mean that you will have a perfectly obedient dog in a minute. Training still takes time, but with adequate methods, this dog’s intelligence and his willingness to see his owner satisfied should yield results pretty soon.

3. Highly Energetic

Photo from: @malone_the_traveling_sandwich

This dog has a high energy level, and therefore, requires different activities, both physical and mental. Just try spending one day outside with this dog and you will sleep like a baby that night!

So, if you are planning to own a Pit Heeler mix, you should be prepared to get creative. This dog will enjoy learning new tricks and enrolling in new games.

For him, everything is acceptable as long as he is on the move and spending his enormous amount of energy! He is so energetic that it is even wise to consider enrolling this dog in some dog sports.

4. Hard-working

Just like both of his parents, the Pit Heeler is one hard-working dog. This dog will not be satisfied with a short walk through the park, or a jogging session every now and then.

This mixed dog is very capable, learns quickly, and can not stand boredom. He needs to have work to do, so the best options for him are puzzle toys or similar entertainment for dogs.

5. Good With Children

This mixed dog loves children, and he will get along well with them. Among all activities these dogs enjoy, play sessions with kids are one of their favorites!

This dog will be a marvelous option for families with children. Of course, it is necessary to be careful when having these dogs around small children since they could accidently knock them over while playing.

But, as a protector and a companion, you could not wish for a better dog than this mix!

6. What About Getting Along With Other Pets?

This dog gets along well with children – that is great. I believe most of you are relieved! Now, if there are other animals in your household, I believe your next question is: Does this mixed breed dog get along well with other animals?

Well, this question is debatable. The Pit Heeler has a strong prey drive, so don’t be surprised if you see this dog chasing a cat around your yard.

However, if he is adequately socialized from an early age, this characteristic of his will not be too pronounced.

This intelligent dog can be well trained and accustomed to coexistence with other animals. If you start on time, this obstacle is surmountable, and it should not cause major problems.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix?

Photo from: @freegamejed

The estimated lifespan of this mixed breed dog is 12 to 15 years.

So, if you decide on this dog, there is a high probability that you will spend many beautiful years with him.

Of course, the estimated life expectancy for a particular dog does not mean that every one of these dogs will live to that age.

That is why it is important to know which health problems are characteristic of a particular dog.

Also, it is important to pay attention to the dog’s exercise needs, daily activities, dog food, and, of course – to take care of regular veterinary examinations.

Common Health Problems

Your Pit Heeler is currently one healthy dog who can run for the entire day and never get tired of it! However, this does not mean that there are not some health issues that these dogs are prone to.

This also does not mean that they will develop one of these issues for sure, but it is good to be informed of the possibilities.

Health issues that are most often found in Pit Heelers are Progressive Retinal Atrophy, hip dysplasia, and deafness.

When you are aware of the potential health problems your dog may encounter, we believe you can better prepare and take care of your pet’s possible weak points.

Taking Care Of This Mixed Dog

Each dog differs in its needs – social, physical, psychological, and emotional. So, if you used to have a dog of some other breed, you might notice completely different needs in your new dog.

Therefore, you should adapt the surroundings and living habits to make your new dog as comfortable as possible.

Let’s find out what you should pay attention to when taking care of your Pit Heeler.

Training

These dogs are intelligent, energetic, and hard-working. Sounds like the perfect combination for dog training, right? Yes, but it is necessary to be careful here.

Just because one dog is intelligent does not mean that its training will be a piece of cake. A person who trains a Pit Heeler needs to be experienced, so this dog is a better option for people who have already trained a dog.

Also, this dog’s owner should show calmness and confidence in the process of dog training. Only a person like this can show dominance to a dog.

These dogs are good-natured, but this does not mean that they will be perfectly obedient. They need to be socialized and trained from an early age.

If not shown boundaries from the bare start, any dog will try to do his own thing, and might ignore his owner’s commands.

So, how do you train a Pit Heeler? By using positive reinforcement, praise, and having a lot of patience! Here, we want to emphasize the importance of proper training for the Pit Heeler.

If you think you can not manage it on your own, we suggest you ask for advice from a professional dog trainer.

This dog can be the best dog if it is properly trained, but it can also show undesired behaviors if he lacks good training, and if he is not provided with enough activities.

Exercise Needs

Photo from: @mmcknight586

As you can probably conclude by yourself, these mixed dogs have high exercise needs. They need a lot of space and various different activities so they can spend all of their energy.

Exercise is very important for a Pit Heeler mix to stay healthy.

Considering their exercise needs, this mixed dog is a better option for people who live in a house with a big yard.

Also, it is a better option for experienced dog owners who like a challenge of quality exercise. For these people, the Blue Heeler Pitbull mix will be the best companion!

Food Requirements

Since the Pit Heeler is an energetic and strong dog, it is necessary to take care that the food this dog eats is of top quality.

Dog food for this mixed dog should be rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and it should be divided into two meals a day.

Although these dogs are usually very active and need quality nutrition, it is still necessary to take care that these dogs do not get too much food.

They can become overweight, so they should be supervised while eating, and you should not leave food available to them at every moment.

Grooming

In terms of maintenance, the Pit Heeler is not a very demanding dog. Of course, it is necessary to make sure that the dog’s teeth and ears are always clean. This way, you will avoid ear infections and dental problems in your dog.

Also, the nails of this dog should be trimmed according to needs, which will depend on what kind of surface your dog walks on the most.

In some cases, dogs can naturally trim their nails, and if needed, after a certain amount of time, you should do your part as well.

As for the maintenance of this dog’s coat, it needs to be brushed once a week. Bathing needs to be done from time to time – not too often, but still regularly depending on how dirty your dog gets while exploring and playing outside!

Blue Heeler Pitbull Mix Puppies For Sale

Photo from: @jasmyn.briez

If you are wondering where you should check for Blue Heeler Pitbull mix puppies for sale, you should know that this mixed dog is relatively new, and you will probably not find breeders of these dogs so easily.

However, what you can do is check with reputable Blue Heeler breeders and American Pitbull Terrier breeders about these mixed puppies.

Here, you might find good advice on where to find these puppies, or even find one of them at their kennels!

The price for this mixed puppy goes from $800 to $1,200. There can, of course, be some differences in price due to factors such as the dog’s pedigree, health records, the dog’s popularity in a certain area, etc.

We will also mention that this is only the price related to buying a dog. Owning a dog, taking care of it, and ensuring quality living conditions represent additional costs.

Every dog needs basic things such as food, water, food bowls, leashes, toys, dog beds, and so on.

Therefore, before deciding on the final purchase, it is necessary to consider additional costs.

We must not forget the unforeseen veterinary expenses that we all hope will not occur, and that we will be able to enjoy our healthy dog for a long time. Finally, it is always better to be prepared than to feel sorry.

Are There Other American Pitbull Terrier Mixes?

Photo from: @valuz87

If you are interested in finding out more about American Pitbull Terrier mixes, we have a couple of suggestions for you.

When it comes to English Bulldog mixes, we find that the mix of this dog with an American Pitbull Terrier makes a very interesting dog!

If you are still a little bit frightened by the bad reputation that comes along with the American Pitbull Terrier, we advise you not to be!

All this dog needs is proper training and socialization, just like any other dog. With these two, any dog can grow up to be an obedient adult dog. What American Pitbull Terrier dogs do have is a strong urge to protect their humans.

This is not aggression, but a quality of a loving family dog!

What other American Pitbull Terrier mixes are out there? I am sure many of you are fascinated by the Siberian Husky dog.

Well, these dog’s mixes are equally amazing! Today, you can find the Pitsky – the mixed dog whose parent breeds are the Siberian Husky and the American Pitbull Terrier.

We think this dog inherits the best quality from both of its parents!

Are There Other Blue Heeler Mixes?

Photo from: @wildwestthedog

Besides the American Pitbull Terrier mixes, we also have some suggestions on more Blue Heeler mixes.

Our first suggestion is the Blue Heeler German Shepherd mix. We all know how popular and loved German Shepherds are, so we think you can’t go wrong with mixing these two hard-working, loyal, and intelligent dog breeds!

Our other suggestion is the mix of a Blue Heeler with an Australian Shepherd. You will for sure be getting an energetic and loyal dog with the mix of these two Australian herding dogs!

In the end, we are sure that every mixed dog deserves to be paid attention to. You can find many of these dogs in shelters, so we suggest you think about adopting a puppy before making a decision about buying one.

Final Thoughts

So, today, we got to know the Blue Heeler Pitbull mix – a mixed dog with wonderful traits inherited from both of its parents.

With these kinds of dogs, it is always a kind of gambling with the expectation of which parent they will resemble more.

In this case, both parent breeds are loyal, intelligent, and hard-working, so we think that this dog can’t possibly turn out to be anything but a good dog!

This dog is a great option for a family dog, but we would primarily recommend it to active families who like to spend time outside, and who have a larger yard.

Considering its energy level and its need for constant activity, this mixed breed dog is not recommended for keeping in small or closed spaces, as well as for staying with people who spend much time away from the house.

This dog will be your ideal companion if you like various activities, and if you are looking for a furry friend to be your favorite fellow in new adventures!