The Blue Heeler is a breed of dog that comes from Australia. Also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, this breed has been around for hundreds of years. Its name comes from the fact that its natural instinct is to chase down stray cattle and herd them back to the main herd. To do this, they would “heel” behind the animal and drive it in the right direction. Blue Heelers are intelligent and energetic dogs with a lot of stamina. They are loyal and make excellent working dogs, whether herding livestock or tracking other animals on a hunt. However, their appearance might not be for everyone. Many potential owners might be concerned about things like appearance, cost of ownership or time commitment that owning a dog requires when deciding on whether or not to adopt one as a pet.
Should Blue Heelers Have Docked Tails?
No, never should you dock a blue heeler’s tail because it is painful and unnecessary. Docking tails is an outdated procedure that should not be performed on any dog. Blue heelers are working dogs that need their tails for balance and agility. A docked tail can affect their balance and cause them injuries or worse – possible death.
Why Should not Blue Heelers Have Docked Tails?
1. It is painful
Docking a dog’s tail causes intense pain and can cause a lot of distress. It is cruel to do this to an animal that has already been through so much.
2. It is unnecessary
Docking an animal’s tail, for whatever reason, does not make them more useful or better at their job. Docked dogs are more likely to have behavioral problems and have greater health risks than un-docked dogs. A docked tail can cause them to go into shock when they are working, which may result in their death. Also, the procedure cannot be reversed and causes permanent damage to the dog’s body resulting in painful arthritis in adulthood, as well as other health risks later on in life for both adults and puppies.
3. It isn’t needed for the proper function of the dog’s body parts
The only purpose of docking tails is cosmetic; it makes the animal look more like a herding breed or a farm dog rather than a needed. Docking a dog’s tail is unnecessary because they can be trained to walk on a loose leash, which means they can be walked properly without any chance of getting hurt.
4. It isn’t needed
Docking a dog’s tail is unnecessary because it causes them pain and distress, and it causes them to suffer more than necessary. They are working dogs that need their tails for balance and agility. A docked tail can cause them to go into shock when they are working, which may result in their death. Also, the procedure cannot be reversed and causes permanent damage to the dog’s body resulting in painful arthritis in adulthood, as well as other health risks later on in life for both adults and puppies.
5. It isn’t needed if you are active enough as a pet owner
Docked dogs will have behavioral problems due to the pain of the procedure, so you should look into other methods of dealing with unwanted behaviors such as training classes or other the way dogs were meant to be. safe. Docking an animal’s tail can cause a dog to go into shock and die during or after the procedure. The tail is an important part of the dog’s body and it cannot be replaced, even if it is amputated, so it must be left alone.
6. It is painful for owners too
Most dogs do not like being handled around their tails and many owners have to suffer the pain of having their dog in pain while they are trying to keep them still during docking.
7. It is just plain cruel!
Docking a dog’s tail causes intense pain and can cause a lot of distress in both dogs and their owners alike. Most dogs do not like being handled around their tails and many owners have to suffer the pain of having their dog in pain while they are trying to keep them still during docking.
Basics Of Blue Heeler Tails
- The blue heeler breed is a breed of herding dog. The blue heeler is a herding dog that has been used to control livestock. Blue Heelers have been used to work sheep and cattle, but they are also used for the purpose of controlling dogs and other animals. Blue Heelers are very intelligent and social dogs. They tend to be friendly towards people and other animals, but they also tend to bark at strangers.
- The blue heeler, or Australian heeler, as it is sometimes called, came about in Australia in the 1920s. People who were working with the Australian sheep industry noticed that some dogs were able to herd the sheep without any training or commands. These dogs were bred from various kinds of herding breeds including Border Collies, Kelpies, Australian Shepherds, and German Shepherds; these dogs were then crossed with each other until some unique characteristics emerged in the new breed which would allow them to herd sheep without needing any training or commands. The first blue heeler was registered in 1934.
- Blue heelers are very intelligent dogs, and they can be trained to herd sheep or cattle with minimal use of commands. They are also known for being very social dogs, and they make good house pets. They tend to be friendly towards people and other animals, but they also tend to bark at strangers. Blue heelers are also known for their protective instincts, as they will protect their owners from anything that might threaten them or their family.
- The blue heeler is a medium-sized dog breed that weighs around 30 pounds when fully grown; however, the average weight of a blue heeler is closer to 18 pounds. The most common colors of the blue heeler include fawn and black with white markings; however, there are many variations on this color scheme including white with red patches on the chest, black with white patching on the chest and legs, tan with white patches on the chest and legs, and blue with white markings on the body and legs. Blue heelers are known for their long, thin tails which are quite different from other dog breeds. They can also have a double coat as well as a short coat that is colored like the rest of their body.
- Blue heelers are known for being very energetic dogs, and they require a lot of exercises. However, blue heelers tend to be very loyal dogs, and they do not usually require a lot of exercises since they love to be active; however, they still need some form of physical activity in order to maintain their mental health. They also have been known to have separation anxiety when left alone for too long or when left in an unfamiliar place; however, this is something that can be trained out in most dogs with the help of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Pros of Docking Blue Heeler Tails
- The dogs are very friendly and affectionate. They are very intelligent but can be stubborn.
- Blue Heeler Tails are extremely friendly with children and other animals. They will happily greet all the visitors at the door and then follow them around the house.
- Blue Heeler Tails are good watchdogs and will bark to alert you of any intruders or strangers in the neighborhood.
- Blue Heeler Tails do not shed much, which is a good thing if you have allergies or asthma, but it can lead to problems if your carpet gets dirty or wet often.
- The dogs need regular grooming in order to keep their coats clean and healthy, especially as they age; so this is something you’ll need to remember when choosing a dog for your family, as well as being sure to brush them regularly at home for their health and well-being!
Cons of Docking Blue Heeler Tails
- The removal of the tail causes a distinctive red tinge to the dog’s coat.
- The docking of the tail can cause a change in behavior.
- The docking of the tail can cause an uneven gait or uneven weight distribution, which could lead to injury.
- Dogs that are docked and spayed are at higher risk for certain health problems.
- Dogs that are docked and spayed may suffer from other health problems, such as urinary incontinence, heat stroke, and constipation (in females).
- Dogs that have had their tails removed can be more difficult to housetrain, especially when they are puppies.
Bottom Line
Blue Heelers were bred to work as stock dogs on ranches in Australia. The breed’s history makes it clear that these dogs were bred to protect livestock against predators such as wolves, dingoes, and coyotes. In order to do their job, however, they needed to be able to stay with the sheep as they moved to new pastures. Thus, these dogs needed to have an instinct to follow the flock and a great deal of stamina. To do this, these dogs needed to be bred to have short, docked tails. This is because a short tail is less likely to get caught in a fence or in brush than a long tail would be.
