Despite being a relatively new crossbreed, Bluewieler is becoming a decently popular designer dog that a lot of people are interested in.
This one combines the vigor and vigilance of the Blue Heeler with the confidence of the Rottweiler, creating an excellent and family-loving watchdog
If you’re curious about the unique hybrid or you’re interested in welcoming a Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix into your home, this guide will have you covered with everything you need to know!
History and Where the Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Comes from
Before diving into the details of the Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix, we should start by meeting its parents. This can give you an insight into the dog’s characteristics and what makes it unique.
Blue Heeler History
The Blue Heeler is an Australian dog breed that was specifically bred to herd large cattle. For that reason, the dog is also known as “Australian Cattle Dog” and “Queensland Heeler”.
Before the Blue Heeler, there were multiple attempts to breed a capable dog to tame wild cattle in Australia but this was the first successful attempt.
The first Blue Heeler was born in the 1840s after crossing Australian wild dogs (Dingoes) with Dalmations and Kelpies.
The combination makes the dog remarkably loyal despite being somewhat reserved and aloof toward strangers.
The new breed was also compact (only 18 to 20 inches tall) but highly energetic and alert. The average Blue Heeler is also nimble and quick on its feet, weighing only 35 to 50 lbs.
Rottweiler History
While the Blue Heeler is a relatively new purebred, the Rottweiler has been around for centuries!
In fact, the old-surviving breed is said to originate from a cattle-herding mastiff that was left by the Romans in Rottweil, Germany.
The resultant breed was highly active, confident, and smart, which allowed them to perform several jobs, such as herding livestock and pulling meat carts around markets.
Additionally, Rottweilers were praised for their incredible loyalty and wariness, which also made them excellent watchdogs.
Rottweilers are also known for their strong bodies and unique hair coat markings of dark black and brownish hues near their feet and mouth.
The average Rottweiler ranges from 22 to 27 inches tall. However, they’re relatively heavier than other dogs in that weight class due to their large bony heads, weighing around 80 to 120 lbs.
Mix History
The true origins of the Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix aren’t clear due to the lack of documentation and records.
However, many believe that the cross-breed was first popularized in the United States in the early 1900s when breeders were experimenting with hybrids.
The Blue Heeler and the Rottweiler share a variety of characteristics. Both dogs are highly energetic with excellent work ethics and devout loyalty to their owners.
While the Blue Heeler is more of a herding dog, the Rottweiler is more vigilant with great guardian characteristics.
The resultant hybrid created an all-around perfect ranch dog who’s capable of handling both jobs perfectly.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Quick Facts
The Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix goes by a variety of names, including
- Australian Cattle Dog Rottweiler mix
- Blueweiler
- Blue Rottweiler
- Rottie Heeler
- Cattle Dog Rottie
Since the hybrid dog is a relatively new one, it’s quite difficult to predict a lot of features of the newborn pup.
However, since the two parents share various similarities, the dog is known for its remarkable energy levels and devotion to its family.
One thing you should know here is that Blue Heeler Rottweiler mixes don’t have to be 50/50 hybrids.
This happens because some breeders adjust multiple generations of the dog, making one side more prominent than the other.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Size and Weight
The Blueweiler is a combination of a medium and large-sized dog. For that reason, the average Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix is usually classified as a medium to a medium-large dog.
A full-grown Rottweiler Blue Heeler should be around 18 to 27 inches tall. Males are usually a couple of inches larger than females of the same litter, but the difference is hardly noticeable.
As for weight, Blueweilers can be light or heavy depending on which dog they inherit their bone structure from.
A hybrid Blueweiler with a Rottweiler build will weigh around 75 to 85 lbs while another with a Blue Heeler build will weigh around 45 to 65 lbs. When it comes to weight, females are significantly lighter than males.
Blueweilers take around 1.5 years to reach their full body height and up to 2 years to reach their maximum weight.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Appearance
As previously established, predicting how a Rottweiler Blue Heeler mix would look is very difficult, especially for 50/50 hybrids.
As the puppy grows, it may look more like a Rottweiler, a Blue Heeler, or a perfect mix of both parents.
In many cases, however, the dog will inherit the relatively large build of a Rottweiler while rocking some facial features of a Blue Heeler because these genes are fairly dominant.
First-generation Blue Heeler Rottweiler mixes often have tan markings similar to those of a Rottweiler with brown or blue medium-set eyes of either parent.
The hybrid dogs may also inherit the ticked hair gene from the Blue Heeler, which appears as patches around the belly and the hind legs.
Blueweilers also have a slender torso with a hair coat that is either short or medium in length.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Behavior and Temperament
Now that you know more about the physical characteristics of the Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix, let’s have a quick look at its temperament and behaviors.
Is the Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Intelligent?
The average Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix is decently intelligent. The dog inherits its intelligence from both sides, as both the Rottweiler and Blue Heeler are very smart dogs.
With that being said, you still need to properly train your hybrid dog to socialize or obey your commands.
Blueweilers get bored quickly and can develop stubbornness and bad habits, especially if they don’t get enough exercise and training from an early age.
Is the Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Aggressive?
Since both the Blue Heeler and the Rottweilers are alert dogs that are highly protective of their families, hybrids can be somewhat aloof when they’re unsettled by other animals and strangers around.
Luckily, however, Blue Heeler Rottweilers will tune down the aggression quickly once they feel safe and comfortable. You can also speed that up by training them to socialize from a young age.
Does the Blue Heeler Rottweiler Make a Good Family Dog?
As previously established, the alertness and protective instincts of the Blueweiler can make them a bit reserved and aloof.
For that reason, some people believe that they don’t make a good family dog, especially if you welcome new people to your home occasionally.
However, there are many Rottie Heeler owners that beg to differ, claiming that early training is enough to keep their dogs well-behaved around strangers.
All in all, the Blue Heeler Rottweiler is a decent family dog if you want an extra protective one to double as a watchdog.
What Are the Unwanted Behaviors of the Blue Heeler Rottweiler?
Blue Heeler Rottweilers are quite smart and deeply attached to their owners. For that reason, these dogs get frustrated when you leave them alone for several hours and may develop separation anxiety.
This can lead to several unwanted behaviors, such as loud barking, howling, and destructive tendencies like digging and chewing. (Blueweilers are not excessively vocal, so if they bark a lot, there must be a reason for it)
This can also happen due to pent-up energy, which is why daily exercise is very important for these dogs.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Price and Expenses
The Blue Heeler Rottweiler is a relatively new cross-breed, so you may not find these puppies right away. However, if you take your time, you’ll find several reputable breeders who offer these dogs.
The average price of a Blue Heeler Rottweiler from a designer breeder is between $450 to $1,000, depending on location, rates, bloodline, training, etc.
You can also adopt a Blue Heeler Rottweiler for a lot cheaper in dog shelters, which usually costs an adoption fee of $100 to $300.
Always make sure that you get the puppy from a trustworthy source for a better guarantee of the pup’s quality and well-being.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Annual Expenses
The Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix is a relatively low-maintenance dog. Since these dogs usually have short hair coats, they occasionally shed but not too much.
This means that you can easily keep your dog’s hair coat healthy by brushing it yourself with a rubber-bristle brush.
Additionally, Blue Heeler Rottweilers have fairly healthy bodies and aren’t really prone to gain weight if they get enough exercise. All the initial health screening and checkups should cost you as little as $350 to 450.
As your puppy grows up, you should expect it to cost you around $300 to $400 in annual expenses. (emergencies, surgeries, and medicated food aren’t included)
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Lifespan
Rottweilers have a noticeably short lifespan (around 8 to 10 years) when compared to other dog breeds of its size class.
This is because Rottweilers are prone to several health problems, including epilepsy and a high rate of bone cancer.
However, the Australian Cattle dog is a lot healthier and has a decently long life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, although it’s also prone to heart conditions.
Luckily, Rottie Heelers have a decently long lifespan of 10 to 15 years, but it’s highly dependent on the dog’s general health and well-being.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Common Health Issues
As a relatively new hybrid breed, there isn’t enough to learn about all the dog’s common health issues.
However, many Blue Heeler Rottweiler owners reported that their dogs suffer from genetic orthopedic conditions, such as Hip Dysplasia and Arthritis.
Older Rottie Heelers may also suffer from hearing and vision problems (deafness and Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
Both Blue Heelers and Rottweilers are also prone to bloating, which is a fatal condition in dogs that needs immediate medical attention. This makes it a serious health risk for their hybrid offspring as well.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Care Tips
Caring for your Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix is your key to keeping them healthy and happy. Here’s what you need to know about the dog’s care routine.
How Much Exercise Does Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Need?
The Blue Heeler Rottweiler is the offspring of two very active dogs, especially the Australian Cattle dog.
For that reason, it’s no wonder that the dog is highly energetic and needs a lot of physical exercises every day.
Ideally, you should give this dog up to 90 minutes of daily exercise to ensure its health and well-being. It’s also not suitable for apartment living because it needs open spaces where it can run freely.
How Much Does Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Shed?
The answer here depends on whether the dog inherited its hair coat from the Blue Heeler or the Rottweiler.
Ideally, Blue Heelers are light shedders while Rottweilers are moderate shedders. The Rottie Heeler shedding intensity will increase during the changing seasons, especially Spring and Fall.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix?
Grooming the Blue Heeler Rottweiler mix should be an easy task, thanks to its short hair coat. The dog is generally low maintenance and you can get away with grooming it on your own at home.
However, if you want to pamper your dog, you can take it to the groomer once every couple of months!
Remember to also cut your dog’s nails once every 3 to 4 weeks and bathe them once every 1 to 2 months.
Blue Heeler Rottweiler Mix Training and Diet
Training your Blue Heeler Rottweiler is essential to maintain a healthy and obedient dog.
Luckily, Blueweilers are smart dogs and eager to please, so they’ll learn tricks in a very short time with positive reinforcement training.
Despite being highly energetic, keep your dog’s food intake limited to 2.5 to 3.5 cups of food a day to avoid obesity and health problems (split over 2 to 4 meals a day for adults and puppies respectively)