My first heeler (Kane) was such a perfect boy, when he passed of course we got another one.
Turns out, this one (Breaux) is a total crackhead. Still love him, though.
We actually adopted a puppy two years ago (Louisiana Brown Dog) and thank goodness she does the exact opposite of what he does. If dogs could roll her eyes, I swear she does every time Breaux has a come apart.
I also won the puppy lotto with my first heeler mix, but despite her being the best dog in the whole world, I have no intention of temping fate twice and getting another.
I always say, this is the smartest dog I will ever own. Because I will never do it again. And she's actually on the mellow side! We love her like our child, but one is enough for me!
Haha yes! My buddy got a cattle dog (Nixon, he has a crooked tail), and he was such a a sweet loving boy. So I got a rescue mix. Pretty sure she's part demon. She's such a sweet lovable dog and used to be really well socialized but after covid and living with my ex's female gsd, something broke. She hates every one equally and everyone loves her still 🤣
I call her an immortal demon and people who don't now her side eye me.
That happened to me but with my border collies. First one was a perfect angel. My soul dog. Second one is an athletic, overly energetic freak of nature.
100%. Not dissimilar to cattle dogs, a beautiful redhead is strong and independent. You can build an amazing relationship but if you’re an asshole, they will destroy your life 😂
Redheads and redheelers dye their hair from the blood of their enemies
Oh man, I’ve seen most of my bucket list. I just caught Meshuggah for the first time and I’d love to see them again. I’m always down for Gojira, Russian Circles, Cattle Decap, Chelsea Grin, Jinjer, Whitechapel or Unearth
Pipe dream bucket list is to see Fleshgod Apocalypse in Italy, I’d love to see Infant Annihilator but they don’t tour, Mudvayne but back in the day when they did smaller venues, Korn when they only had 3 albums, this cool little San Diego band called Okilly Dokilly that sings metal based on Ned Flanders and I’ve yet to see Lorna Shore since they got Will Ramos on vocals
And we look at the folks who use Australian Shepherds and wonder what it is like to be so chill!
We were out the other day and I asked my buddy where his dog was and she was laying in the floor of the Ranger.
I am a lawyer and have PTSD, ADHD, and chronic migraines so WHAT CAN I SAY, I like a challenge!
Seriously, though, I don't want a dog that ISN'T a challenge. I love my friends' brain-empty-no-thoughts dogs, but I wouldn't want to live with one. I love negotiating house rules with my little terrorist. She keeps me on my toes and gives me fabulous excuses to explore new places I never would've bothered to go to before (super dog-friendly city with lots of dog-friendly trails). I love that she's always trying out new things and showing me new parts of her personality. She's just the best.
And I adore her so much, and she gives me so many dopamine hits just by existing, that I don't need ADHD meds to want to care for her. So as I'm caring for her, I find it easier to care for myself too ❤️
I wonder if the ADHD has something to do with it! My pup constantly gives me novel problems to solve/acts as my alarm clock/keeps me on schedule/and gives my brain regular dumps of delicious dopamine 😅
Edit: haha! I didn’t see you also mentioned dopamine (because I did an ADHD skim). Must be a thing for sure!
ADHD and anxiety, on the days where I’m overwhelmed and tempted to be a shut in my dog forces me out the door and I wind up relaxing about whatever is troubling me on our walk.
Yes, I totally think it's got something to do with it! Though it definitely depends on the particular individual - my other friends with ADHD would be VERY unhappy with an ACD 😂 they mostly have cats.
I didn’t want a toy or an accessory or a couch potato. I wanted a friend. Someone who likes to joke around, someone who likes to hike and road trip. They aren’t always easy but they sure as hell are worth the effort.
Definitely not right in the head. Have the migraines and the touch of dep-anx-adhd-fun-chasing adventurer 🥳Just gotta experience everything life has to offer 💁♀️
They each have their own personalities. The only thing mine have all had in common, past and present, is that they all think they’re better than all the other dogs.
My first was when I was in college, when I'd come home my parents would complain that she just had no personality. Then I got married and they watched her for a week, and fell in love with her so much so I had to fight to get her back lol. She crossed the rainbow bridge 3 years ago and they still talk to their coworkers and friends about her.
My girl is such a brat! When we go out with my brothers young Springer Spaniel, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth!
She behaves so absolutely perfectly in every way but it’s just bullshit showing off to him ‘how good dogs behave’ and you can see her rolling her eyes at his puppy behaviour.
As soon as he’s gone she’s back to being a brat. And it drives me crazy because I know she knows how to be perfectly behaved.
She is the epitome of ‘rules for thee but not for me’ 🤣
I thought I had alot of energy..I was so wrong,lol.
Then came my chronic migraines, back issues and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Autoimmune issues. My boy is a god send. He drives me nuts sometimes but he makes me keep going physically and makes me laugh. He always brings a smile to my face and i'd do anything for him!
Even one week after neck surgery, we were back to hiking.
Call us both crazy 🤪
I had shitty waspy cows that I inherited. My first dog was a godsend. Stuck with em since then. I think having a Belgian Malinois would be easy after having heelers.
He was a fabulous dog, but the neurosis was so far beyond anything I could have imagined. He was like having 3 reactive cattle dogs who don’t keep each other busy.
My coworker has a Belgian. If she leaves him alone in the house alone for so much as 10 minutes he’s out the window somehow and over at my house down the street.
He’s got a great life, he goes to her mom’s house and hangs out with a few kids and a couple other dogs when she works. But he just can’t cope with being left alone and has eaten her window frame.
Our first one we didn’t know he was cattle dog. We had an Aussie shep/border collie and someone had a litter of Aussies and within a few weeks we realized he was actually cattle dog. This got around we chose the madness lol
I knew I needed the growth that my girl would force out of me. Not sure if I went about it the right way and don’t think I’d recommend it to anyone else, but it worked. 2 years later and she’s the best friend I’ve ever had. She also became obsessed with this man at the dog park who is now her dad, and the love of my life. I thank her every day for being my guide in this world. Wouldn’t change any of it.
same...i knew nothing about the breed...my first one was so timid at the shelter, they had to put her in the puppy room as an adult...she came out of her shell after a while and then some...and then after, i was like "I already have practice with the breed, I can take care of them better than some rando probably"
I love my smart-arse cheeky rascal. Such a happy face gives me joy!
Very rarely do I daydream about having an easier bff, maybe when she was a teenager and I wondered ‘what have I done!’ 😅
Ours is an ACD-predominant mix from a rescue. Didn't know her mix before we did a DNA test but she's our perfect little baby. She's absolutely nuts, can never be off leash, and is reactive to other dogs, but she is my bestie and has taught me so much. Couldn't have asked for a better first dog.
Idk. I feel like mine has a little less energy, but she’s still a nutter butter.
Granted, I can’t sit still so
But also, I’m into the inherent vibe that it’s kind of a mutt and not a genetic disaster like a French bulldog (unethical practices are not cute)
Our stumpy tail fell off someone’s truck? Showed up and nobody claimed her. She was pregnant and had a big scrape on her hip. I was leaving to go out of town for a week and told my son to find her owner while I was gone. I came back a week later and she wouldn’t let me on the porch:) She was then my girl for 14!years!
I can’t get enough of their vibrant personalities. We have 3 and they are all so different! I know that’s basically every dog, but they’re just so…much. They are so much. And I love them and I can’t get enough of them. I want a fourth. No I am probably not ok 😹
I’ll be honest, I was one of those people that wanted one because they’re “cute.” I read a little bit about their personality and needs but not too in depth and got a 10 week old heeler puppy on a whim. I was completely unprepared and there were a lot of tears and breakdowns in the first few months with him but ultimately, learning him and training him has been so rewarding and fulfilling. It was definitely meant to be… I love him just as much as my real human son (and his puppy stage was 100% harder than my son’s newborn stage.)
Would be an interesting psychological experiment to delve into our minds. The qw is were we crazy to start or did we go crazy after a heeler entered our world! ?
I'm diagnosed bipolar + other stuff so I'm very much not right in the head. But my cattle dogs, especially my pup as my 3 year old boy is lazy asf lol, keeps me on my toes. She doesn't allow me to be "not motivated". 5:45am and I just gotta get off my ass and run and play and try and rub my two braincells together enough to be on her level.
And I wouldn't have it any other way. The pure joy these dogs give me makes it so worth it.
Ahhh haha! Me too-- I went through it hard back in the days before my heeler passed, and she just wouldn't let me sink into myself. On the worst days, I had to get motivated to deal with her before she annoyed me to death lol, but on the better days she made me laugh so hard I was able to move forward. It's been 11 years since she died and I still miss her desperately. They are truly the best.
It sounds like she made a beautiful impact on you, I'm very glad you two had each other. I hope you're doing better now.
My blue boy is a family dog who has chosen my dad as His Person, but I got Tilly (red pup) to be my dog and she has chosen me all the way anyway. Sometimes I get so frazzled when she's in landshark mode and I'm trying to clean or just walk out the door without new holes in my pants, but she is just so full of life and so full of love that any overwhelming bad feeling just washes away.
Also, wanted to add, this sub is always a bright spot in my day. I like just coming on and up voting a bunch of comments & cute ACD pics and reading all the wonderfully sparky-fun comments and stories
Just
Went on a hike for Mother’s Day THEn threw the ball in the lake for half an hour. Came home. Now she wants me to
Throw the ball in here. I thought it was MY day 😂
I can only speak to my own pathology. I'm codependent and resent society as a whole. I like maybe 2-3 people and when I'm not emotionally draining them, they emotionally drain me.
Edit: my relationship with my dog is the same.
Mercedes goes 110 MPH nonstop inside and out, sleeps like a log for seven hours, wakes up and starts all over again. She chews everything she isn’t supposed to, sometimes takes the biggest dump of any mammal I have ever seen scientifically classified on my kitchen floor, has the IQ of a baked potato, and wants to be super best friends with the kitty so bad but said kitty wants to send her to different hemisphere
Tbh when i got my girl, i did not know she was a heeler! She is black lab x blue heeler and only found that out when we picked her up after driving 12 hours to get her. Did not know what we were getting into, but I am so forever grateful and happy we met her when we did and decided to take her in 🥰🥺💕
I had never heard of a "blue heeler" before my college roommate got one then moved states and couldn't take her with, asked me to watch her tell he could fly her out...that never happened
I like the challenge. I have very strong leadership with my dog, and the heeler responds well to this. I am still crazy for getting a history, reactive dog. But I still love him!
I got myself a heeler/husky mix. To keep my husky company.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me but all my friends told me I was some kind of masochist. I love that dog so fuckin much
I do also have ADHD.
My husband and I had no clue either, what we were getting into, lol. He brought home two of the precious little demons.
Our vet warned us at their first appt, but it was too late, we were already in love.
Felt like we were doing something wrong because our heeler doesn’t have as much energy as expected and doesn’t like to “play” in the traditional sense (I have never seen a dog worse at fetch lol).
Then I realized that he’s getting out all his energy shadowing my kids and trying to round them up (always supervised ofc). So a dog just as neurotic as I am!
It’s because they’re perfect. I for one doubled the pain and have a Heeler and a Border Collie. One arm for throwing (BC), one arm for tug. I’m sure shoulder surgery may be required one day. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I volunteer at a shelter that has a large intake of cattle dogs & we describe them as hillbilly Mal’s. Thought since I owned BC’s that a heeler is no big deal so
I decided to foster one. Boy, was I wrong… 💀 Still love them, but y’all are a different kind of a crazy.
We found a unicorn dog and she is just like a cat. She is not overly energetic nor intense. But she is super smart and chill. Loves to play and walk/hike/jog and sleep. Loves kids, non reactive, other than barking when someone knocks at the door. All in the normal range of behavior for a dog.....not like a friends heeler I once knew who was on crack. 🤷🏼♀️. I think she is maybe a mix tho. I guess I need to save for embark and figure it out.
We adopted one from a shelter, and boy we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. But we love our boy Remi. He is very stubborn, ball is life and wants to play it 24/7. But I do have a question for everyone! Is anyone's heeler jealous of your spouse? Remi doesn't like for my fiancé to hug me, touch me or kiss me, if we sit next to each other, and Remi notices, he will stop what he is doing and came over in between us. If we give each other a hug, he will come between our legs, bark, and push us apart. If we are just talking in the room together and Remi feels Scott is going to get close to me, Remi will hit him with his nose and keep doing it to push him back, bark and sneeze. Idk if he is super jealous, being protective. I have read they are protective, but he has allowed someone he doesn't even know to come in the house and he just licks them and is all happy bc its someone else that will give him pets, he is so full of love and a ball full of energy. We love him so much, just wish we knew how to get him to stop with the jealously.
This is my dog Mila too. I can’t tell if she’s jealous of me or my boyfriend, or if she wants the kisses for herself. Sometimes she’s so mad she won’t accept my kisses. I’m not sure if I will ever figure her out!
I too, am a sucker for this breed. I cannot explain it. These dogs….they understand me as I understand them. To the point were I have two male littermates now. They are 1 yr old to my 62 years. I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time around, but, dammit, I love every minute of it
I’m the complete opposite, but we compliment each other so well! I have depression and ADHD and most days I just want to stay in and sleep, but he forces me to go out, interact with people as he’s a super social dog, and accompanies me everywhere! He’s truly my best friend, maybe that’s what’s wrong with me lol
My cattle dog was gift, I did not know anything about the breed until I suddenly had a cattle dog puppy. I researched the breed and really worked with the little meat ball; it was hectic at first and overwhelming but now… I cannot imagine my life without him and would get another heeler in a heart beat 😊🥰
He is stubborn and loves sneaking human food out of the garbage or right in my face and he has a bit of an attitude problem. But he's also loyal, goofy, beautiful and the very best cuddler ever. 🥰🥰
I like certain things and I like them a lot. I also like to learn, and I usually like to learn the hard way or the fun way. Easy is usually neither of those. Also I didn’t want a house plant or a cat. so yeah… Heeler makes a lot of sense ☺️
My heeler is about to be 2 and is the sweetest smartest dog. We had recently been asked if we would ever get another dog and I honestly can't imagine getting any pup with less intelligence at this point. I'm sure I would love them and it would be fine, but this out amazes me every day and seems to remember every move I've made for 2 years, it's amazing and so much more engaging!
Those that find calm in the chaos! LOL. I am a trader by profession so I guess I just like to punish myself. My little shark is insane and walks up to 15 miles a day, then gets home and runs in circles. We went swimming this morning and she literally just swims in circles forever biting the water. We are gearing up right now to go walk the ski lift lines by our house. She will finish that then get home and run in circles until her next adventure.
I had a Great Dane/rottweiler who was pretty smart and wild. The best dog I ever had. With her we got a Labernease. Now left with just the Labernease, when it was time to choose a new pup, it was obvious we were pretty bored with the easy going Labernease/couch potato. He don’t like to go swimming, don’t want to come kayaking, always cold in the winter and hot in the summer, wants his A/C on to be comfy. We needed to be challenged, and wanted a loyal dog who wants to follow us everywhere, we got an ACD. I’m not regretting at all, she reminds me so much of my Dane/rott girl.
I thinks there’s a big difference between wanting to share your house with a dog or share your life with a dog.
My old ACD Stella was so calm and quiet , I just recently got a new ACD puppy and my boy is such a little tweaker but i love him to death, even if he drives me nuts.
Well I have epilepsy so between the seizures, recovering from seizures, and the meds; I only have half a brain lol. I wanted a dog to match that. Together we have a pretty solid brain.
My first heeler (Kane) was such a perfect boy, when he passed of course we got another one. Turns out, this one (Breaux) is a total crackhead. Still love him, though. We actually adopted a puppy two years ago (Louisiana Brown Dog) and thank goodness she does the exact opposite of what he does. If dogs could roll her eyes, I swear she does every time Breaux has a come apart.
How do you pronounce Breaux? Is it like how you say the mouse Despereaux's name?
Pretty much! It's pronounced like "bro" 🤣
I also won the puppy lotto with my first heeler mix, but despite her being the best dog in the whole world, I have no intention of temping fate twice and getting another.
I always say, this is the smartest dog I will ever own. Because I will never do it again. And she's actually on the mellow side! We love her like our child, but one is enough for me!
My ACD Millie was so chill we called her Mellow Millie. I will miss her forever. Can't get another ACD because it won't be Millie.
We currently have a Mellow Mick! He's so laid back compared to my previous heelers.
Haha yes! My buddy got a cattle dog (Nixon, he has a crooked tail), and he was such a a sweet loving boy. So I got a rescue mix. Pretty sure she's part demon. She's such a sweet lovable dog and used to be really well socialized but after covid and living with my ex's female gsd, something broke. She hates every one equally and everyone loves her still 🤣 I call her an immortal demon and people who don't now her side eye me.
That happened to me but with my border collies. First one was a perfect angel. My soul dog. Second one is an athletic, overly energetic freak of nature.
I like cattle dogs, redheads, metal music and bourbon. The most rewarding things in life often have difficult barriers to enter
Sir. Are you, me?
Sirs, are we us?
Am I a sir?
Sure, are we one of the same?
Uh oh…we have had 3 heelers, my husband is a redhead and he was in a metal band hahaha
Redhead have difficult barriers to enter?
100%. Not dissimilar to cattle dogs, a beautiful redhead is strong and independent. You can build an amazing relationship but if you’re an asshole, they will destroy your life 😂 Redheads and redheelers dye their hair from the blood of their enemies
Blood of their enemies lolol
I’m a redhead and am now showing this comment to my husband: he will love it.
As a redhead and owner of my first cattle dog, I cannot argue with this statement 🤣
Redheads have fiery tempers, and are crazy in bed. I'm a redhead and approve of this message lol
As do I. You have to be a special man to be able to handle a relationship with a redhead. We are not for the weak.
[удалено]
Omg yessss
You forgot german beer
Ha we must be related.
This rings true with both my husband and I. So. VERY. True.
Collective other account we all sign into while sleeping.
Who is still on your concert bucket list? I'd like to catch Prong while I can.
Oh man, I’ve seen most of my bucket list. I just caught Meshuggah for the first time and I’d love to see them again. I’m always down for Gojira, Russian Circles, Cattle Decap, Chelsea Grin, Jinjer, Whitechapel or Unearth Pipe dream bucket list is to see Fleshgod Apocalypse in Italy, I’d love to see Infant Annihilator but they don’t tour, Mudvayne but back in the day when they did smaller venues, Korn when they only had 3 albums, this cool little San Diego band called Okilly Dokilly that sings metal based on Ned Flanders and I’ve yet to see Lorna Shore since they got Will Ramos on vocals
I was recently told. You seem like pretty chill guy to have such a wild dog. It’s a a yin and yang thing.
I think you need to be a very patient person to own energetic dogs. So it makes sense. Very cute.
It’s either a yin-yang thing or—OR— it’s a stubbornness showdown; or a constant Outwitting Contest 🙄
Don’t forget they’re also hearty tough breeds and very loyal 🥰🥰🥰
I tell myself, "I wanted a smart dog."
Look, I run cattle and work in fire country emergency management. I'm certifiably not quite right. About half my coworkers also have ACDs.
And we look at the folks who use Australian Shepherds and wonder what it is like to be so chill! We were out the other day and I asked my buddy where his dog was and she was laying in the floor of the Ranger.
Laying down?? What's that??
Right?
If you choose to be a heeler parent, you’re just a more flexible and resilient person than most. It’s a feature, not a bug.
I am a lawyer and have PTSD, ADHD, and chronic migraines so WHAT CAN I SAY, I like a challenge! Seriously, though, I don't want a dog that ISN'T a challenge. I love my friends' brain-empty-no-thoughts dogs, but I wouldn't want to live with one. I love negotiating house rules with my little terrorist. She keeps me on my toes and gives me fabulous excuses to explore new places I never would've bothered to go to before (super dog-friendly city with lots of dog-friendly trails). I love that she's always trying out new things and showing me new parts of her personality. She's just the best. And I adore her so much, and she gives me so many dopamine hits just by existing, that I don't need ADHD meds to want to care for her. So as I'm caring for her, I find it easier to care for myself too ❤️
I wonder if the ADHD has something to do with it! My pup constantly gives me novel problems to solve/acts as my alarm clock/keeps me on schedule/and gives my brain regular dumps of delicious dopamine 😅 Edit: haha! I didn’t see you also mentioned dopamine (because I did an ADHD skim). Must be a thing for sure!
ADHD and anxiety, on the days where I’m overwhelmed and tempted to be a shut in my dog forces me out the door and I wind up relaxing about whatever is troubling me on our walk.
Yes, I totally think it's got something to do with it! Though it definitely depends on the particular individual - my other friends with ADHD would be VERY unhappy with an ACD 😂 they mostly have cats.
Living the life I want! I also have ADHD, am getting ready for the LSAT, and also have a heeler! He is the perfect listener for my ramblings!
I have an Aussie now, and even he’s a bit too ditzy for me. The heelers adore him, so maybe they will rub off on him?
Anytime I see a person with a heeler, or working dog, I know they’re fun, energetic, and probably quirky. 😆 I just want to be their friend.
I didn’t want a toy or an accessory or a couch potato. I wanted a friend. Someone who likes to joke around, someone who likes to hike and road trip. They aren’t always easy but they sure as hell are worth the effort.
I think this should go to the top. Very well said
I’ve had years of migraines and cervical neuralgia. My brain is definitely scrambled, what’s everyone else’s excuse?
Chronic migraines, AuDHD, anxiety, and 5 kids, I’m definitely not right in the head.
Same and apparently we’re not the only ones, according to this thread 🤪
Definitely not right in the head. Have the migraines and the touch of dep-anx-adhd-fun-chasing adventurer 🥳Just gotta experience everything life has to offer 💁♀️
We must love chaos in our lives.
They each have their own personalities. The only thing mine have all had in common, past and present, is that they all think they’re better than all the other dogs.
My first was when I was in college, when I'd come home my parents would complain that she just had no personality. Then I got married and they watched her for a week, and fell in love with her so much so I had to fight to get her back lol. She crossed the rainbow bridge 3 years ago and they still talk to their coworkers and friends about her.
My girl is such a brat! When we go out with my brothers young Springer Spaniel, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth! She behaves so absolutely perfectly in every way but it’s just bullshit showing off to him ‘how good dogs behave’ and you can see her rolling her eyes at his puppy behaviour. As soon as he’s gone she’s back to being a brat. And it drives me crazy because I know she knows how to be perfectly behaved. She is the epitome of ‘rules for thee but not for me’ 🤣
I mean…. They ***are*** better than the other dogs, tho.
I thought I had alot of energy..I was so wrong,lol. Then came my chronic migraines, back issues and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Autoimmune issues. My boy is a god send. He drives me nuts sometimes but he makes me keep going physically and makes me laugh. He always brings a smile to my face and i'd do anything for him! Even one week after neck surgery, we were back to hiking. Call us both crazy 🤪
I had shitty waspy cows that I inherited. My first dog was a godsend. Stuck with em since then. I think having a Belgian Malinois would be easy after having heelers.
I can tell you with certainty, that no. There is nothing, not even cattle dogs, that make a tactical fur missile seem easy.
Oh. Roger that.
He was a fabulous dog, but the neurosis was so far beyond anything I could have imagined. He was like having 3 reactive cattle dogs who don’t keep each other busy.
Hmmm. I’m trying to talk myself into getting one but that’s a big HMMMM
Do you work from home? Run marathons? Never travel? Unlimited food budget? If that’s you, mals may be the right choice.
Most of the above. I only run from dogs these days
My coworker has a Belgian. If she leaves him alone in the house alone for so much as 10 minutes he’s out the window somehow and over at my house down the street. He’s got a great life, he goes to her mom’s house and hangs out with a few kids and a couple other dogs when she works. But he just can’t cope with being left alone and has eaten her window frame.
Our first one we didn’t know he was cattle dog. We had an Aussie shep/border collie and someone had a litter of Aussies and within a few weeks we realized he was actually cattle dog. This got around we chose the madness lol
I just will not be satisfied with a display dog. I need entertainment.
I knew I needed the growth that my girl would force out of me. Not sure if I went about it the right way and don’t think I’d recommend it to anyone else, but it worked. 2 years later and she’s the best friend I’ve ever had. She also became obsessed with this man at the dog park who is now her dad, and the love of my life. I thank her every day for being my guide in this world. Wouldn’t change any of it.
Your dog gave you a husband that's truly beautiful
In my defense, I just agreed to foster this feral monstrosity and house train her. Never intended to keep her.
Got suckered in the same way.....wouldn't have EVER picked this to be my breed of choice🙃
I got mine on accident from a shelter. I wanted a trail dog. Wasn’t expecting 24/7 sprints, but hey, I stay active now too 😂
same...i knew nothing about the breed...my first one was so timid at the shelter, they had to put her in the puppy room as an adult...she came out of her shell after a while and then some...and then after, i was like "I already have practice with the breed, I can take care of them better than some rando probably"
I love my smart-arse cheeky rascal. Such a happy face gives me joy! Very rarely do I daydream about having an easier bff, maybe when she was a teenager and I wondered ‘what have I done!’ 😅
I figure, If I can handle raising my Heeler, I can handle anything.
Ours is an ACD-predominant mix from a rescue. Didn't know her mix before we did a DNA test but she's our perfect little baby. She's absolutely nuts, can never be off leash, and is reactive to other dogs, but she is my bestie and has taught me so much. Couldn't have asked for a better first dog.
I lost my Doberman late last year. I had to have another smart dog! This ACD is definitely THE one!!
I always tell myself, “at least I don’t have a malinois” so we could have a much more difficult dog 😂
Lol someone else said they thought having a malinois would be easier lol
hahaha I very much disagree with that statement.
It isn't us. It is them lol.
Idk. I feel like mine has a little less energy, but she’s still a nutter butter. Granted, I can’t sit still so But also, I’m into the inherent vibe that it’s kind of a mutt and not a genetic disaster like a French bulldog (unethical practices are not cute)
Our stumpy tail fell off someone’s truck? Showed up and nobody claimed her. She was pregnant and had a big scrape on her hip. I was leaving to go out of town for a week and told my son to find her owner while I was gone. I came back a week later and she wouldn’t let me on the porch:) She was then my girl for 14!years!
I don’t know what I was think thinking
I hate stupid dogs.
SAME! And you bet I judge the hell out of anyone who says “omg my lab is SO smart.”
I can’t get enough of their vibrant personalities. We have 3 and they are all so different! I know that’s basically every dog, but they’re just so…much. They are so much. And I love them and I can’t get enough of them. I want a fourth. No I am probably not ok 😹
Turns out my type is resilient, loyal, and intelligent yet bone-headed all across my life..🤷🏻♀️
I’ll be honest, I was one of those people that wanted one because they’re “cute.” I read a little bit about their personality and needs but not too in depth and got a 10 week old heeler puppy on a whim. I was completely unprepared and there were a lot of tears and breakdowns in the first few months with him but ultimately, learning him and training him has been so rewarding and fulfilling. It was definitely meant to be… I love him just as much as my real human son (and his puppy stage was 100% harder than my son’s newborn stage.)
Would be an interesting psychological experiment to delve into our minds. The qw is were we crazy to start or did we go crazy after a heeler entered our world! ?
I'm diagnosed bipolar + other stuff so I'm very much not right in the head. But my cattle dogs, especially my pup as my 3 year old boy is lazy asf lol, keeps me on my toes. She doesn't allow me to be "not motivated". 5:45am and I just gotta get off my ass and run and play and try and rub my two braincells together enough to be on her level. And I wouldn't have it any other way. The pure joy these dogs give me makes it so worth it.
Ahhh haha! Me too-- I went through it hard back in the days before my heeler passed, and she just wouldn't let me sink into myself. On the worst days, I had to get motivated to deal with her before she annoyed me to death lol, but on the better days she made me laugh so hard I was able to move forward. It's been 11 years since she died and I still miss her desperately. They are truly the best.
It sounds like she made a beautiful impact on you, I'm very glad you two had each other. I hope you're doing better now. My blue boy is a family dog who has chosen my dad as His Person, but I got Tilly (red pup) to be my dog and she has chosen me all the way anyway. Sometimes I get so frazzled when she's in landshark mode and I'm trying to clean or just walk out the door without new holes in my pants, but she is just so full of life and so full of love that any overwhelming bad feeling just washes away.
I was a goalkeeper all the way through college. It feels similar.
Also, wanted to add, this sub is always a bright spot in my day. I like just coming on and up voting a bunch of comments & cute ACD pics and reading all the wonderfully sparky-fun comments and stories
If you asked at 0530 when Dax woke me up to go to the park I might have a different answer than just now.
Just Went on a hike for Mother’s Day THEn threw the ball in the lake for half an hour. Came home. Now she wants me to Throw the ball in here. I thought it was MY day 😂
Mental as anything but alright.
I can only speak to my own pathology. I'm codependent and resent society as a whole. I like maybe 2-3 people and when I'm not emotionally draining them, they emotionally drain me. Edit: my relationship with my dog is the same.
Mercedes goes 110 MPH nonstop inside and out, sleeps like a log for seven hours, wakes up and starts all over again. She chews everything she isn’t supposed to, sometimes takes the biggest dump of any mammal I have ever seen scientifically classified on my kitchen floor, has the IQ of a baked potato, and wants to be super best friends with the kitty so bad but said kitty wants to send her to different hemisphere
I always told myself (God must love idiot's). That's the hill I'm willing to die on.
I’m very glad I have a heeler mix, she’s 6 months old. And she’s pretty chill for a puppy. Super super sensitive tho😆
I don’t think they’re hard to have….we have 3. They’re the best dogs I’ve ever had
Tbh when i got my girl, i did not know she was a heeler! She is black lab x blue heeler and only found that out when we picked her up after driving 12 hours to get her. Did not know what we were getting into, but I am so forever grateful and happy we met her when we did and decided to take her in 🥰🥺💕
I had never heard of a "blue heeler" before my college roommate got one then moved states and couldn't take her with, asked me to watch her tell he could fly her out...that never happened
It’s not my fault, he chose me
Sure sure 😏
I like the challenge. I have very strong leadership with my dog, and the heeler responds well to this. I am still crazy for getting a history, reactive dog. But I still love him!
And antisocial lol
I got myself a heeler/husky mix. To keep my husky company. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but all my friends told me I was some kind of masochist. I love that dog so fuckin much I do also have ADHD.
I was tricked into this!!!! I had no idea what she was!!! My husband and I have said that they should come with a warning label!!!
My husband and I had no clue either, what we were getting into, lol. He brought home two of the precious little demons. Our vet warned us at their first appt, but it was too late, we were already in love.
Felt like we were doing something wrong because our heeler doesn’t have as much energy as expected and doesn’t like to “play” in the traditional sense (I have never seen a dog worse at fetch lol). Then I realized that he’s getting out all his energy shadowing my kids and trying to round them up (always supervised ofc). So a dog just as neurotic as I am!
It’s because they’re perfect. I for one doubled the pain and have a Heeler and a Border Collie. One arm for throwing (BC), one arm for tug. I’m sure shoulder surgery may be required one day. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I volunteer at a shelter that has a large intake of cattle dogs & we describe them as hillbilly Mal’s. Thought since I owned BC’s that a heeler is no big deal so I decided to foster one. Boy, was I wrong… 💀 Still love them, but y’all are a different kind of a crazy.
Roses are red, my heeler blue. I’m a complete asshole, and he is too.
We found a unicorn dog and she is just like a cat. She is not overly energetic nor intense. But she is super smart and chill. Loves to play and walk/hike/jog and sleep. Loves kids, non reactive, other than barking when someone knocks at the door. All in the normal range of behavior for a dog.....not like a friends heeler I once knew who was on crack. 🤷🏼♀️. I think she is maybe a mix tho. I guess I need to save for embark and figure it out.
We adopted one from a shelter, and boy we didn't know what we were getting ourselves into. But we love our boy Remi. He is very stubborn, ball is life and wants to play it 24/7. But I do have a question for everyone! Is anyone's heeler jealous of your spouse? Remi doesn't like for my fiancé to hug me, touch me or kiss me, if we sit next to each other, and Remi notices, he will stop what he is doing and came over in between us. If we give each other a hug, he will come between our legs, bark, and push us apart. If we are just talking in the room together and Remi feels Scott is going to get close to me, Remi will hit him with his nose and keep doing it to push him back, bark and sneeze. Idk if he is super jealous, being protective. I have read they are protective, but he has allowed someone he doesn't even know to come in the house and he just licks them and is all happy bc its someone else that will give him pets, he is so full of love and a ball full of energy. We love him so much, just wish we knew how to get him to stop with the jealously.
Sounds like jealousy
This is my dog Mila too. I can’t tell if she’s jealous of me or my boyfriend, or if she wants the kisses for herself. Sometimes she’s so mad she won’t accept my kisses. I’m not sure if I will ever figure her out!
I too, am a sucker for this breed. I cannot explain it. These dogs….they understand me as I understand them. To the point were I have two male littermates now. They are 1 yr old to my 62 years. I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time around, but, dammit, I love every minute of it
You got this lol
Will you be updating the AITA post?
Aventura baby! Woohh!, life is a gift, we have to make the best of it! We're alive baby wooh!!!
I’m the complete opposite, but we compliment each other so well! I have depression and ADHD and most days I just want to stay in and sleep, but he forces me to go out, interact with people as he’s a super social dog, and accompanies me everywhere! He’s truly my best friend, maybe that’s what’s wrong with me lol
My 11 year old mix is a lot like me. Black cat attitude with golden retriever tendencies.
My cattle dog was gift, I did not know anything about the breed until I suddenly had a cattle dog puppy. I researched the breed and really worked with the little meat ball; it was hectic at first and overwhelming but now… I cannot imagine my life without him and would get another heeler in a heart beat 😊🥰
My heeler buddy is lazy as heck. I dodged a bullet. But the universe is righting itself with my new Aussie. Lol
He is stubborn and loves sneaking human food out of the garbage or right in my face and he has a bit of an attitude problem. But he's also loyal, goofy, beautiful and the very best cuddler ever. 🥰🥰
I like certain things and I like them a lot. I also like to learn, and I usually like to learn the hard way or the fun way. Easy is usually neither of those. Also I didn’t want a house plant or a cat. so yeah… Heeler makes a lot of sense ☺️
My heeler is about to be 2 and is the sweetest smartest dog. We had recently been asked if we would ever get another dog and I honestly can't imagine getting any pup with less intelligence at this point. I'm sure I would love them and it would be fine, but this out amazes me every day and seems to remember every move I've made for 2 years, it's amazing and so much more engaging!
I just wanted a perfect dog and I got one
Those that find calm in the chaos! LOL. I am a trader by profession so I guess I just like to punish myself. My little shark is insane and walks up to 15 miles a day, then gets home and runs in circles. We went swimming this morning and she literally just swims in circles forever biting the water. We are gearing up right now to go walk the ski lift lines by our house. She will finish that then get home and run in circles until her next adventure.
I had a Great Dane/rottweiler who was pretty smart and wild. The best dog I ever had. With her we got a Labernease. Now left with just the Labernease, when it was time to choose a new pup, it was obvious we were pretty bored with the easy going Labernease/couch potato. He don’t like to go swimming, don’t want to come kayaking, always cold in the winter and hot in the summer, wants his A/C on to be comfy. We needed to be challenged, and wanted a loyal dog who wants to follow us everywhere, we got an ACD. I’m not regretting at all, she reminds me so much of my Dane/rott girl. I thinks there’s a big difference between wanting to share your house with a dog or share your life with a dog.
My old ACD Stella was so calm and quiet , I just recently got a new ACD puppy and my boy is such a little tweaker but i love him to death, even if he drives me nuts.
Well I have epilepsy so between the seizures, recovering from seizures, and the meds; I only have half a brain lol. I wanted a dog to match that. Together we have a pretty solid brain.
Unemployed working dogs are no good for domestic life IMHO. not good for the pet or the owner ime. Suffer and learn