Chihuahua vs. Blue Heeler

Andrielle · February 2012

I am debating on getting another Chihuahua or Blue Heeler. I have owned 3 Chihuahua's in my life and only one Blue Heeler Mix. With my job though, I have been around a lot of Heeler's and know that they also have very different personalities, temperments, etc. However, I am very undecided. So maybe everyone can help me out a bit more. A bit about my life-style: I bike 10-16 miles a day. I jog at-least 2 miles. I hike, swim, kayak, canoe, etc. I am home all but 8 hrs a night and my neighbor stops by at-least twice to let my 2 older dogs (16 and 13 years) out for 10-15 min potty breaks. Due to my active life-style, I've wanted a dog that could come everywhere with me. I know there are dynamic differences between both a Chihuahua and a Blue Heeler and this is why I am so undecided. SO if you could give me the pros/cons in your opinion about each breed and then tell me which you'd choose and why, that'd be greatly appreciated.

Patty · February 2012

I have a Blue Heeler my self, they are wonderful loyal dogs. With TONS of energy. Without proper exercise, they're just a mess. My ACD is very high strung, but can focus on training well, and has become a very suitable family pet. Most of the time. Chihuahuas, I don't have much experience with, other than I know they are slightly more delicate, and can't be worked as hard. Some freeze up easily when scared, overwhelmed, ect. I know they have a lot of pros as well, but I really don't know too much about the breed. My ACD does everything with me. She loves swimming, running, hiking, dog parking, going to the lake.. everything. Chihuahuas, I'm sure some like water, but don't do as much "hardcore" running, biking, ect. My dog dog will run along side my bike, but I'd be afraid with a small dog, I might run over them. xD I'd think a Blue Heeler would be an easier dog to do lots of activities with. I'm not saying a Chi wouldn't. But, I think of ACDs of more.. athletic and outgoing.

Emster · February 2012

blue heeler for ur lifstyle and i call chis little yappers cause all the ones iv mety are agresive and yappy

FlyTM · February 2012

I would pick a ACD anyday over any other breed, ever since being around one when I was a little kid I feel in love with the breed, and my Huntaway cross ACD, beardie has been the smartest dog I'v owned. By the sounds of it a ACD would work with you, seeing you do a lot of biking as you posted, I used to run and bike with my girl heaps. ACDS = Herding breed, bred to do somthing, Chihuahua = Toy breeds bred for looks, but like if you where able to do stuff with your Chihuahuas like before its up to you. And sweetypie, (I'm not a toy breed fan.) its how you bring the dog up same with any other breed you, let your dog have run of the house... ya its gonna act like that if allowed to, its not just toys I'v seen other breeds from different breed groups act in such ways, all dogs can be agressive if needed.

Animalsaremything · February 2012

I agree with Patty and Tbone a blue heeler

Andrielle · February 2012

Thanks for the input! The Chi that I will be getting is 5 months old. Male. About 2lbs. A non-barker/yapper. Kennel Trained, Potty Trained (Goes in a litterbox lined with pee pee pads), and isnt your typical "scared and timid" Chi. The Aussie Cattle Dog (although I find there to be a difference between an "ACD" and "Blue Heeler - The ACD's I've been around are actual working dogs. Their build is a lot different than what I've seen with the typical "Blue Heelers" - their build is taller and more stockier, while the "Blue Heeler" is more shorter and can be stocky and thinner. Idk just my general opinion. But what I am catagorizing this pup as, is the build of a "Blue Heeler" to my opinion standards) is an 8 week old female puppy and I'd have to start training from the ground up - of which, I do not mind. So maybe that could help base your answers.

Simm · February 2012

Andrielle wrote:

Thanks for the input! The Chi that I will be getting is 5 months old. Male. About 2lbs. A non-barker/yapper. Kennel Trained, Potty Trained (Goes in a litterbox lined with pee pee pads), and isnt your typical "scared and timid" Chi. The Aussie Cattle Dog (although I find there to be a difference between an "ACD" and "Blue Heeler - The ACD's I've been around are actual working dogs. Their build is a lot different than what I've seen with the typical "Blue Heelers" - their build is taller and more stockier, while the "Blue Heeler" is more shorter and can be stocky and thinner. Idk just my general opinion. But what I am catagorizing this pup as, is the build of a "Blue Heeler" to my opinion standards) is an 8 week old female puppy and I'd have to start training from the ground up - of which, I do not mind. So maybe that could help base your answers.

The Australian Cattle Dog is the same as a Blue Heeler, Red Heeler or Queensland Heeler.

Mileysmybaby · February 2012

Definately Blue Heeler. I have a Blue Heeler mix and my friend has 2 purebreds, they are some of the best dogs. We use ours for guard dogs & sometimes moving cattle. A Chihuahua is a lapdog. Lapdog=lazy. And a Blue Heeler is bred for cattle, which means action/exercise. (:

DiamondPuppy0809 · February 2012

Mysterous Love wrote:

Definately Blue Heeler. I have a Blue Heeler mix and my friend has 2 purebreds, they are some of the best dogs. We use ours for guard dogs & sometimes moving cattle. A Chihuahua is a lapdog. Lapdog=lazy. And a Blue Heeler is bred for cattle, which means action/exercise. (:

Agreed! My Chihuahua is 50% active, 50% lazy. ...Sometimes 25% active, 75% lazy. xD The Heeler sounds like your best bet, however if you expose a Chihuahua to the many active situations you do frequently, I'm sure he/she would become adapted easily as long as he/she is with you all the time. Chihuahuas have a hard time being away from their owners, they love company!

Andrielle · February 2012

I ended up going the COMPLETE opposite way... I got a Purple Ribbon UKC Registered Redbone Coonhound. I got an awesome deal on him and his bloodlines are EXTRAORDINARY! His energy level is right where I need/want it to be as-well. He is trained for Coons and is 2 years old. I wanted a puppy, but I definitely am not going to pass up this awesome deal! So I got him

NOW, he needs a name! SO if you want to win an extra 300k, follow the link! <a href="http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=78644"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">300k Naming Contest!</a>

Mileysmybaby · February 2012

Andrielle wrote:

I ended up going the COMPLETE opposite way... I got a Purple Ribbon UKC Registered Redbone Coonhound. I got an awesome deal on him and his bloodlines are EXTRAORDINARY! His energy level is right where I need/want it to be as-well. He is trained for Coons and is 2 years old. I wanted a puppy, but I definitely am not going to pass up this awesome deal! So I got him NOW, he needs a name! SO if you want to win an extra 300k, follow the link! <a href="http://virtualpups.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=78644"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">300k Naming Contest!</a>

Those are some good dogs too!

Andrielle · February 2012

I know! I grew up with them, so when I got the chance to get one, I just couldnt pass it up. ALTHOUGH I was pretty disappointed I couldnt get the Heeler pup, but the person backed out anyway. I will be picking up an English Coonhound female tomorrow. She isnt the greatest hunter, so her owner decided to give her up. But she is simply gorgeous and the 3 of us will have grand adventures!

Mileysmybaby · February 2012

Sweet! I don't think you mentioned, are either of them fixed?

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Chihuahua vs. Blue Heeler

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