The Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix – The Dog You Should Be Looking For?

If you are looking for a protective, loyal and energetic dog, then this ball of excitement is what you are looking for! The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a hybrid designer breed that is a mix between the playful American Pit Bull Terrier and one of the best herding dogs, the Blue Heeler.

This relatively new hybrid was first bred in Australia as a herding dog but eventually made its way to America as a working dog and adorable pet. Pit Heelers can make a great addition to your family as long as you live in a big house with plenty of exercise options and a love for the outdoors. 

Let’s take a closer look at the main characteristics of the Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix.

Other Names	Pit Heeler, Bull Heeler, Blue Pit Cattle Terrier, Red Pit Cattle Terrier, Blue Terrier, Red Terrier, Bull Pit Heeler, and Queensland Pit
Weight	30-60 Pounds
Height	17-24 inches
Lifespan	12-15 years
Colors	Black, Brown, White, Brindle, Fawn, Blue, and Red
Health	7/10
Grooming Needs	5/10
Exercise Needs	9/10
Shedding	5/10
Kid Friendliness	7/10
Pet-friendliness	6/10
Protectiveness	8/10
Good for apartments	No
Average puppy cost	$800-$1200 USD

Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix Characteristics 

• Size: 17-24 inches
• Weight: 30-60 pounds 
• Colors: Black, Brown, White, Brindle, Fawn, Blue, and Red
• Coat Type: Single-coated/double coated

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull mix is a medium-sized dog. It gets its physical characteristics from both its parents and can look more or less like one of them or a perfect mix of both. Generally, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull has a robust, strong body and is longer than it is tall. They have a wide, muscular chest like the Blue Heeler and a strong back.

Like their parent, the American Pit Bull Terrier, they have a big rounded head. Their ears are slightly pointed, and their nose can be black, brown, or blue.

They can either inherit the single short coat of the Pit Bull or the double water-resistant coat of the Blue Heeler. Their coats can come in a wide variety of colors, including blue, black, brown, brindle, white, or fawn, with or without the Blue Heeler colored markings.

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull males are usually an inch taller than females and about 5 to 10 pounds heavier. Due to their size and activity needs, Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are not suitable for small apartment living.

Parent Breeds

As we mentioned, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull mix is a designer hybrid dog that is born through breeding two purebred dogs: the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Blue Heeler. To find out about the characteristics of this hybrid, we need to first learn all about their parents.

Pit Bull is an umbrella term for several dog breeds. The one used for this mix is usually the American Pit Bull Terrier. This dog is known for its smiley face, loyal nature, and strong muscular body.

The American Pit Bull Terrier’s history is violent as they were used for dog fighting shows in the past due to their strong physical nature, but eventually, they made it to the US to be bred as companion pets.

They are known for being incredibly affectionate and loyal pets. They are also very energetic and need a lot of physical activity to keep them healthy physically and mentally. Learn more about the Pit Bull’s energetic nature here.

The other parent is the Blue Heeler. Originating in Australia as a herding dog, the Blue Heeler is a strong, agile, and active dog. They are also known as the Australian Cattle Dogs because they were bred to help with farm work in Australia. They have a strong work ethic and are very intelligent dogs. 

Eventually, they made their way to America and became house pets known to be physically active but incredibly protective of their owners. 

Temperament

As a hybrid dog, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull can inherit any of the temperaments of its parents. Some Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are very friendly with strangers like Pit Bulls, and others get the aloofness and suspicious nature of the Blue Heeler. With proper socialization, though, they can be trained to stand in the middle.

Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are loyal and protective dogs; the level and intensity of this trait can differ from one dog to another. They are also very playful, energetic, and incredibly intelligent. They need a lot of physical and mental stimulation, or boredom will manifest itself in bad behavior.

Blue Heeler Pit Bulls have a medium to high prey drive due to their parentage. They are good-natured towards humans but will need some training to fit in with other animals. They do not tend to bark loudly or occasionally, but they do nip and bite. It’s better always to supervise them around small children to make sure kids don’t overstep their boundaries.

In general, like all dogs, Blue Heeler Pit Bulls need early socialization to stabilize their temperament. They can be loyal, affectionate, and playful family dogs, or they can be chaotic, hot-headed, and stubborn. It all comes down to training.

Health and Lifespan

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a healthy hybrid with a life span of 12 to 15 years, which is higher than the average lifespan of most dogs. But this long lifespan and good health can still face some genetic health problems every now and then. 

With a good lifestyle, physical health, nutrition, and regular health checkups, your dog can avoid most of these health problems. But it is important to have an idea of what you might have to deal with as a Blue Heeler Pit Bull owner.

Hip Dysplasia

This genetic disease is very common among medium to large-sized dogs. It occurs when the dog’s hip ball and socket do not align in place as they normally should. Hip Dysplasia can cause your dog leg pains and a limp. If caught quickly, you can avoid surgery and fix it with some physical therapy.

Skin Allergies

Many dogs are prone to skin allergies, and the Blue Heeler Pit Bull is not exempt. Allergies are a very individual health problems and are caused by various things, such as certain food, weather, or textures. Your dog can also develop an allergy only during a certain stage of its life and then lose it. Regular brushing and checkups can help you spot them early on.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This disease usually happens to senior dogs. It is a gradual deterioration in vision and sight that might eventually make your dogs blind. Retinal Atrophy is more common among hybrid dogs than purebreds, but it’s not a painful disease. It currently has no known treatment.

Nutritional Needs 

A good nutritional plan is key for a healthy dog. All muscular dogs, such as the Blue Heeler Pit Bull, require a high-protein diet to support their strong bodies and active lifestyle.

On average, Blue Heeler Pit Bull puppies will need more protein than adults. Puppies can go with at least 22% protein in their meals, while adults can do with 18%.

Choosing between dry, kibble, home-cooked, or raw food is totally up to you and your lifestyle. All of these options have their own benefits, and as long as you choose high-quality ingredients, then your dog will be satisfied and healthy.  I have a guide on the raw diet for Pitbull-Type dogs here that you can and probably should check out, as it will help you decide a lot more easily.

Three meals per day are the most suitable for a small puppy. As they grow older, their physical activity will determine how many meals they should get.

For an active dog, you can stick with the 3-meal plan, but for a couch potato dog, two meals per day should be enough to avoid obesity and its accompanying health problems.

Here is some suggestion for store-bought meals you can get your Blue Heeler Pit Bull:

Brand Name	Ingredients	Protein	Fat	Age	Buy from
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula	Chicken, Rice, Corn Gluten Meal, Whole Grain Corn, and Vitamins	28%	13%	Puppies	Chewy
American Journey Active Life Formula	Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Rice Bran, Barley, and Vitamins	23%	15%	Adults	Chewy
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat	Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Pea Protein, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Peas, and Vitamins	30%	15%	Adults	Chewy
Nutro Natural Choice Senior Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food	Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Rice Bran, Split Peas, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice, and Supplements	24%	12%	Seniors	Chewy

If you want more options, you should check out my guide to the best foods for pitbull puppies here.

Grooming Needs and Shedding

Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are pretty low maintenance when it comes to their grooming needs. They have a short, dense coat that will need brushing just once a week to keep it healthy and shiny. They are very low shedders and will not cause problems for people with allergies. 

As for baths, in a general sense, they should not need bathing more than once or twice a month. But Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are very active dogs, and if they tend to play in the dirt, you will need to bathe them as much as needed not to smell.

Keeping baths at a normal amount, though is advisable to maintain the natural oils of your dog’s skin and avoid dryness.

Your Blue Heeler Pit Bull will also need to get its nails clipped every couple of months. Teeth brushing will need to happen daily to keep their mouths cleaner and their teeth healthy. It is important to clean their ears every week to avoid infections as well. 

Blue Heeler Pit Bull grooming needs are very low compared to other dogs. They can easily be done at home by the owner using a few grooming tools, but you can also take them to a professional grooming service every now and then for some pampering.

Exercise Needs

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a very active and energetic dog, and what low grooming needs they have, they more than makeup for it with their high exercise needs. Getting it from both their parents, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull is very active and needs at least 1 hour of physical activity per day. 

A long walk around the neighborhood is also not enough because the Blue Heeler is an extremely intelligent dog that needs to be stimulated mentally as well as physically. Besides tiring them out with a hike or a game of catch, you will need to play some mentally stimulating games as well, like teaching them tricks.

Use toys and tools around you to provide your Pit Heeler with as many activities as possible. A Pit Heeler being bored will cause them to learn bad, destructive behavior, and it’s the last thing you need.

Here are some suggestions for physical and mental games your Pit Heeler will enjoy:

Agility Courses

Taking your Pit Heeler to an agility course once a week is a great way to help them exert their pent-up energy and have challenging physical exercise.

You can find agility courses in many dog parks with varying levels of difficulty. If you’re feeling particularly into this idea, you can even build your own course with the tracks your dog loves the most.

Hand Game

This game is very simple and is a great way to make your dog use their brain. Choose some treats your dog loves, and make sure he’s watching you with your hands behind your back, holding the treats in one fist. Now present both hands to your dog and give them a chance to choose which fist has the treats. This game can exercise your dog’s smelling sense as well as encourage them to think.

Enrichment Box

This is another easy way to enrich your dog’s mental abilities. Get a big box, smaller boxes and old newspapers. Wrap some treats into the newspaper clippings and add others into the smaller boxes.

Put everything into the big box and present it to your dog. They will need to unwrap everything and figure out how to open the box to get their treats.

You can also get some puzzle toys.

Training

Thankfully training your Blue Heeler Pit Bull is not hard. They are very intelligent dogs that are quick to catch what you’re trying to teach them as well as being very eager to please so positive reinforcement works best.

It’s important to start their training as early as possible before they get used to bad behavior.

Obedience Training

Teaching your dog to obey your commands is the basis of all their training. You can start with simple phrases like “sit,” “stop,” and “come here.”

Each of these phrases needs to be taught separately, and you must be very consistent with your commands. “Sit” cannot change into “Stay”; each one needs to have its own meaning, so your dog catches on.

Nipping Training

Blue Heelers are big nippers. Their name comes from their tendency to nip the heels of the cattle during herding. A natural tendency like nipping cannot be trained out of them completely, but it can be redirected.

Provide them with toys to nip and strongly discourage them from nipping at your furniture. Give them treats when they use their nipping toys.

Socialization Training

Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are generally very good with people and animals they know, which means you need to socialize them to get that good behavior.

These dogs are big and strong and can look scary and unapproachable, but with proper socialization, they will learn to get along with most people and maybe other dogs. Take them to dog parks and long walks to expose them to others regularly.

Even though in most cases, training Blue Heeler Pit Bulls is easy, sometimes they can be a bit stubborn. If you have done all you can or simply don’t have the time to put into consistent training, you should consider taking them to a training facility.

Professional trainers can also help train your dog; their experience will be a great asset in deciding which areas your dog needs help most.

As Family Dogs 

Pit Bulls are known to be very friendly family dogs, and even though Blue Heelers were mainly working dogs, they are also good with people.

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a very affectionate, loyal, and loving dog that can be a great addition to many families. But there are things to consider before getting a Blue Heeler Pit Bull for your family:

• Blue Heeler Pit Bulls need you to dedicate a lot of time and space to them. They are very active dogs that cannot be contained in apartments. They need a considerable outdoor space to play and run around. They also need you to be a physically active family that can keep up with them.
• Blue Heeler Pit Bulls can also suffer from separation anxiety and hate being left alone. If you have a big family where someone is always home, that would be great for your Pit Heeler. They will not do well with families that are always out, leaving them to fend for themselves.
• If you have another canine at home, socializing your Blue Heeler Pit Bull to get along with your other pet might take some time. It’s doable with consistent training, but you need to be able to put in the time and effort.

Every dog has their own pros and cons when it comes to being a family pet. In general, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a very good family dog. They will get along with everybody, and they will fiercely love and protect your family.

As Guard Dogs 

Having a good guard dog is very important to many dog owners. The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is definitely a decent guard dog.

Even though their parent, the Pit Bull, is known to be a strongly muscled dog, they are not good guard dogs.

Pit Bull is far too nice to strangers and eager to please to be guard dogs. They would ask a  robber for treats and just let them into your house easily. But on the other hand, Blue Heelers’ herding history makes them great guard dogs.

Blue Heelers are loyal, protective, and intelligent. All the great characteristics of a good guard dog. They were bred to care for cattle and protect their farmers. Their instincts will balance out the Pit Bull’s trustful nature and make a guard dog that will protect you without being over suspicious of everyone.

They will need some serious and consistent training if you plan to primarily use your Blue Heeler Pit Bull as a guard dog.

They are large dogs, very strong with a huge bite force which means you need to make sure they will not severely hurt anyone in their quest to keep you safe.

Where to Find Blue Heeler Pit Bulls? 

Now that you know all that you need about the Blue Heeler Pit Bull mix, you’re probably asking where you can find one. 

The first place we recommend is dog shelters. Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are getting more popular every day, so if you look, you will probably find one in a shelter. Adopting a dog from a shelter will give them the chance to find a second loving home, so please consider this as your first choice.

In case you cannot find one in shelters, then your next option is reputable breeders. A reputable breeder is someone who breeds dogs in an ethical, healthy way. They provide them with a safe home and regular medical checkups until they are bought. They will also have proper registration and vaccination papers.

Here are some examples of trusted sources:

• Greenfield Puppies: This website includes a directory of hundreds of reputable dog breeders across the United States. They hold extensive background checks on all their breeders to make sure nothing illegal is happening behind doors. You can check their constantly growing collection of Blue Heeler mix puppies and find your best match.
• Lancaster Puppies: This website allows families to list their puppies for sale and adoption. They also have a directory of reputable breeders that breed Blue Heeler mixes. Each breeder should be able to provide health checkups for their canines, and you should also try to find past customers and ask for their experience.

All About the Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix in a Nutshell 

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a protective, intelligent, and physically active dog. They are medium-sized and quite easy to groom. They will make a great family dog for those who lead a physically active life and are willing to keep up with the dog’s high exercise demands.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the Blue Heeler Pit Bull A Good Family Dog? 

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is a good family dog. They are loyal and protective and get along with children. However, the Blue Heeler Pit Bull has high exercise demands and is very energetic, so they will not do well in apartments. These dogs can also suffer separation anxiety and do not like being left alone, so the bigger the family, the better. 

Is the Blue Heeler Pit Bull Easy to Train? 

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is easy to train. They are intelligent and eager to please their owner, making them fast learners. Positive reinforcement is the best method of training for these dogs, as shouting and punishment can have negative results. It’s important to start their training as early as possible to get the best results.

If you need to correct their behaviors, there is a right way to do it. You can learn how to discipline a pit bull-type dog the right way here.

Are Blue Heeler Pit Bulls Good with Kids? 

Blue Heeler Pit Bulls are very good with kids. They are energetic and playful and can keep up with children’s high energy. They are also protective and loyal and will always keep an eye on the kids. However, they should not be left alone unsupervised with the kids as they tend to nip and can get a bit too harsh.

How Much Is the Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix? 

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix can cost anywhere between $800 and $1200. This price is dependent on the dog’s age, attributes and parentage. It’s recommended to look for a Blue Heeler Pit Bull in shelters if you want to pay less money, as breeders can cost you more.

Is the Blue Heeler Pit Bull Smart? 

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull is an incredibly smart dog. Both his parents, the Pit Bull and the Blue Heeler, are known to be smart and strong dogs. The Blue Heeler Pit Bull’s intelligence makes it easy to train as they catch on to lessons quickly. They also need a lot of mental exercises to keep them satisfied and engaged.

How Big Will a Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix get?

The Blue Heeler Pit Bull mix can get as big as 60 pounds with a 24-inch height. Males are slightly bigger than females in both weight and height. The Blue Heeler mix is considered a medium-sized dog and, if mixed with a Pit Bull, will have a lot of muscle. 

What Is A Blue Heeler Pit Bull Mix Called?

A Pit Bull and Blue Heeler mix has many names, including Blue Heeler Pit Bull, Pit Heeler, Bull Heeler, Blue Pit Cattle Terrier, Red Pit Cattle Terrier, Blue Terrier, Red Terrier, Bull Pit Heeler, and Queensland Pit. 

Do Pit Bulls Make Good Cattle Dogs?

Pit Bulls do not make good cattle dogs as they can be too rough or aggressive towards other animals. Although with proper training, Pit Bulls can be taught to get along with other animals, it’s not enough to make them good cattle dogs. Maybe when mixed with a cattle dog like the Blue Heeler.

Do Blue Heelers Get Along with Pit Bulls?

Blue Heelers can get along with Pit Bulls when they have received proper training and are socialized. They are loyal dogs who are used to watching over many animals, so eventually, they can get along with a Pit Bull. However, both dogs can be a bit stubborn, so early socialization is key.

Helpful Resources

American Pit Bull Breed Information

Blue Heeler Breed Information

If you like this article, share it! (it will mean a lot to us ❤️)