Texas Heeler Care

The Texas Heeler (TH), as a hybrid of an Australian Cattle Dog (aka a Blue Heeler) and an Australian Shepherd, is a herding dog through and through. TH dogs are loyal, friendly, and intelligent--but because they're the offspring of two active herding breeds, they'll need plenty of daily activity themselves. Overall Texas Heeler care and maintenance won't require too much work, but will need to include a good bit of exercise each day.

Below you'll find details on caring for a Texas Heeler including puppy development, exercise needs, and info on shedding and drooling tendencies. Find answers to your questions about raising a Texas Heeler in the following sections!

As the offspring of two herding breeds, these hybrids are energetic and task-oriented--so Texas Heeler exercise requirements are pretty high. TH dogs will need a variety of daily activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging and bicycling companions as well.

Adult Texas Heelers will need at least an hour of dedicated exercise per day. You can start exercising your TH puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with Texas Heeler exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• Strong herding instincts mean a leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off

Exercising your Texas Heeler every day is a must. These hybrids are active and enthusiastic, and they have natural work ethics--so without consistent activity they'll become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! A few Texas Heeler exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: A TH will love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: These hybrids can excel at obedience or agility trials, herding competitions, and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, your TH will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, give your TH access to balls or toys that allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

Overall, these dogs need a fair amount of maintenance. Australian Shepherd-Blue Heeler mix shedding is seasonal: moderate for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't an issue.

Texas Heelers have short- to medium-length, thick, double-layered coats that shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring shedding season (and depending on the climate, in the fall as well), the shedding can be heavy. Owners can brush their TH dogs' coats once or twice per week with a bristle or pin brush to minimize the shedding and to keep the coats in good shape. Hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

But a TH almost never drools. If your Texas Heeler is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.