Dog
Pronunciation:
tek-suhs hee-ler
Breed Description:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog is a "designer" or mixed breed that was created by crossing the Australian Shepherd with the Australian Cattle Dog. Because of this, a breed type has not been established and the looks of the dog can greatly change from one puppy to the next. Generally, the Texas Heeler will have qualities of both parents. They are a medium sized dog that should be athletic and well balanced. They should have a level top line and they should have a medium length tail. The Texas Heeler should have a wedge shaped head and the ears are usually set high and erect, although semi-erect is also seen.
The coat of the Texas Heeler can range from the short coat of the Australian Cattle Dog to the longer coat of the Australian Shepherd. It can be any color of the parent breeds but a common color is white with red.
Temperament:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog is a designer breed and because of this, their temperament can vary greatly. They are generally known for being a hard working and intelligent breed. They are usually very easy to train and will often take direction with only minimal commands. The breed can be a bit stubborn since they are used to working on their own but they can be a wonderful companion for anyone. The Texas Heeler does well with children and will usually get along well with other dogs and pets. They can be very courageous and some have even stopped a charging bull.
Height:
The average height for the Texas Heeler is between 17 to 22 inches.
Weight:
The average weight for a Texas Heeler is between 25 to 50 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog has no known health problems, however, is important to research both the Australian Shepherd and the Australian Cattle Dog to be aware of any potential health problems your dog could be at risk for.
Living Conditions:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog is not recommended for apartments and tend to do much better in a home with a large fenced yard. Acreage is also good for this breed since they thrive on working farms.
Exercise:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog is a medium sized dog but that doesn't mean that they have moderate exercise needs. Both of the parent breeds are active so expect to give your Texas Heeler about 60 minutes of exercise each day and make sure that you offer them a large amount of intellectual stimulation as well.
Life Expectancy:
10 to 15 years
Grooming:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog can have two different types of coats, both a short and long coat, however, they are usually very easy to groom regardless of the type of coat they have. Generally, you should only expect to brush the coat about once per week. They do not need a bath on a regular basis and can go most of the year with only one or two. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and the nails should be clipped once or twice a week, but other than that, nothing more really needs to be done.
Origin:
The Texas Heeler breed of dog is a designer `hybrid` breed that has become popular over the last decade or so. There is no actual origin for the breed and if you are interested in learning more about the Texas Heeler, it is important to read up on both the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Shepherd. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
