American Mastiff vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

American Mastiff vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed ComparisonAmerican Mastiff is originated from United States but Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia. American Mastiff may grow 40 cm / 16 inches higher than Australian Red Heeler. American Mastiff may weigh 74 kg / 164 pounds more than Australian Red Heeler. American Mastiff may live 3 years less than Australian Red Heeler. Both American Mastiff and Australian Red Heeler has almost same litter size. American Mastiff requires Low maintenance. But Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate maintenance

History

american mastiff - historyThe history of the American Mastiff is entirely tied to the old European Mastiffs but in particular the English Mastiff. The developers of the American Mastiff crossed the English Mastiff with the Anatolian Mastiff at the Ohio kennel, Flying W Farms. The founder of this breed is Fredricka Wagner. Because of this the English Mastiff and the American Mastiff look very much alike. The difference between the two is that the American Mastiff was bred to have less health concerns than the English Mastiff and without the drooling. In 2000 the CKC acknowledged that the American Mastiff and the English Mastiff were separate breeds.

australian red heeler - historyWhen George Hall arrived in the New South Wales Colony in 1802 he set about ‘creating’ a tough working- or herding dog. By crossing Australia’s native Dingoes with Collies as well as with other herding dogs, the robust Red Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog came into being. Today he is a thick-set dog, ideally suited to working livestock.

Ranchers, particularly, were impressed with the breed’s toughness and they were sought after on cattle stations. The name actually comes from them when the dogs are herding animals, they nip at their heels to get them moving.

The Blue Heeler and the Red Heeler breed are the exact same dog, but just different colors. These Australian cattle dogs originated in Australia in the mid-1800s and adapted well to the harsh desert environment of the outback.

Description

american mastiff puppy - descriptionThis crossing of the English Mastiff and the Anatolian Mastiff resulted in a Mastiff with a much drier, less drooling mouth than the other Mastiffs. This is a giant, massive dog – powerful and muscular. With a wide head that is rectangular rather than square. Their eyes are dark amber, and their ears are high on their head and rounded. With a medium size muzzle, black mask and heavy head, the American Mastiff is a handsome dog.

Their chest is broad, deep with ribs that extended backward. He has strong legs that are parallel and wide set. He also has a long tail. Puppies of the American Mastiff are born almost black and as they grow their coat color lightens. In addition, it is important that they have a wrinkled forehead as well and a scissors bite is preferred.

The Muscular Body

australian red heeler puppy - descriptionThe Red Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, muscular dog with ears that are pricked and with dark, alert eyes. The tail is long. The neck, shoulders and legs of the Red Heeler are strong and muscular. The dog is longer than tall – the length of the body is greater than the height at the withers. A well fed, well exercised, well cared for Red Heeler will weight roughly 15–22 kilograms.

The Coat

There are 2 coat colours of the Reeler – red and blue, but there are are lesser varieties such as chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings. It is interesting to note that with both the Red- and the Blue Heeler, puppies are generally born white, with the coat turning to red as they mature.

These Australian Cattle Dogs display patches of solid colour, and you might well find masks over one or both eyes and a white tip to the tail. Both the Red and Blue Heeler can have a white star on the forehead which is referred to as the Bentley Mark. The Heelers have a double coat - short, straight outer hairs while the undercoat is short, fine and dense. Despite their short coat, they shed a lot.

Characteristics

american mastiff dog - characteristicsA love of children and devotion to his pack (family) is bred into the American Mastiff. He is non-aggressive unless you threaten his family or his children. Then he becomes courageous, protective and defensive. This is a gentle giant most of the time, however due to size and the need for strong leadership, the American Mastiff should be socialized and trained early. If they are socialized and trained they will be calm, gentle dogs. They will remain protective and alert, but they will be friendly with strangers. They love to please their people and being highly intelligent they learn fast.

australian red heeler dog - characteristicsYour Australian Red Heeler needs plenty of exercise but also plenty of companionship too from his human family. He is an affectionate, playful pet but is reserved with people he doesn’t know. When socialized he is patient with children in the home but he does still have the tendency to herd them and nip at their heels. The dog builds up a strong bond with his human family, and is protective toward them, being happy to be close to his owner’s side.

Take Time out to Play

Red Heelers need activities and lots of room to play, and they therefore won’t adapt to apartment living. If you don’t live on a farm, don’t neglect your working dog as he will need lots of rough and tumble games and activities to keep him from boredom. Treat your Australian Red Heeler with the love, patience and kindness and you’ll bring out the very best from this active, loyal fur-friend of yours.

Health Problems

american mastiff puppies - health problemsAmerican Mastiffs seem to have fewer health issues than other larger giant breed dogs. However, they can experience allergies as many large, wrinkled dogs do. They also might have a tendency toward eye issues, hip dysplasia, cancer and heart disease. Bloat might be the most life-threatening issue many American Mastiffs experience.

Eye Problems

australian red heeler puppies - health problemsThe Australian Cattle Dog is quite often affected by progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition where the rods and cones in the retina of the eye deteriorate later in life, and it could lead to blindness. This eye illness is an autosomal recessive trait, and even if the dog doesn’t develop the condition himself, he can be a carrier of the affected gene.

Fractures

The Heeler is just bursting with personality and energy and a study of dogs diagnosed at veterinary colleges described fractures and ligament tears as one of the most common conditions treated with the Australian Red Heeler.

General Health

You love your Australian Red Heeler and you want to take good care of him. Check with your vet because at 8 weeks he should be starting with his first puppy vaccinations.

To keep your best friend healthy and happy, watch his diet, ensure he gets plenty of exercise, brush his teeth regularly to remove plaque build-up, and always call your veterinarian when you see he is ill and isn’t his usual boisterous self.

Caring The Pet

american mastiff dogs - caringGiant breeds like the American Mastiff are known for growing rapidly as a puppy and therefore proper feeding and nutrition is essential. The slower your American Mastiff grows, the better. Make sure your puppies get enough phosphorous and calcium in their high calorie diet. Free feeding is not recommended. Feed puppies up to 4 small meals per day and feed adults twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this breed is a fairly healthy one, There, are however, certain evaluations you should do with your American Mastiff puppy to be sure she is in good health. These tests would include an elbow and hip evaluation to check for dysplasia. He should have an ophthalmologist and cardiologist examine him as well. Most American Mastiffs will not have any problems, but these evaluations will help to prepare you if they do. The wrinkles in your dogs; face, around the eyes and muzzle must be kept clean as they can become infected if you don’t.

Exercise and games

Unlike the way he looks, the American Mastiff is not a couch potato, but neither are they a high energy, exercise machine. They do well living in apartments or homes, with or without a fenced in yard. They need a long walk every day. They need mental stimulation through exercise and games. Make sure they learn to love to play so that they don’t become lazy as they age.

Grooming

australian red heeler dogs - caringThe Australian Red Heeler is a low maintenance dog. He does shed quite a bit so you’ll need to brush his coat at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to keep his coat lustrous. When your dog has been in a particularly dusty area, you you wipe his coat down with a damp cloth. As with all dogs, you’ll want to check his teeth, ears, eyes and nails regularly to avoid health problems.

Training

If you care for your working- and herding dog you’ll train him to that he becomes a good family dog and companion. The Red Heeler has plenty of energy and stamina and if he grows up untrained and un-socialized, you could see him becoming aggressive towards other animals and even your own children. He certainly becomes over-protective of his territory if not socialized. Train him as he is an intelligent breed and responds well to training.

Diet

Any vet will tell you of the critical importance of a proper diet and exercise routine for your dog. He’s an active, smart dog with loads of energy and you want to keep his diet consistent with this energy. Speak to your vet about what food would suit your pet best, because a high quality diet appropriate to his age, his body size and his energy levels will be important. Along with high quality foods which include a good intake of raw meat, your dog must always have access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Australia
Height Male:
65 - 91 cm
25 - 36 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
65 - 89 cm
25 - 36 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
72 - 90 kg
158 - 199 pounds
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
63 - 81 kg
138 - 179 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
3 - 7
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
AM Mastiff
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
Colors Available:
Fawn, Apricot, Brindle
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Coat:
Smooth, shorthair
short and dense
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Friendly, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Quiet
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  2. Australian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  3. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  4. Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  5. Bearded Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  6. Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  7. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  9. English Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  10. Australian Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  11. Catahoula Cur vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  12. Australian Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  13. Catalan Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  14. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  15. Bergamasco vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  16. Berger Picard vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  17. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  18. Queensland Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  19. German Coolie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  20. Bohemian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  21. Croatian Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  22. Red Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  25. New Zealand Huntaway vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  26. English Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  27. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  28. American Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  29. Gaddi Kutta vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  30. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  31. Cao de Gado Transmontano vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  32. Broholmer vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  33. Great Dane vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  34. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  35. Newfoundland Dog vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  36. Anatolian Shepherd vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  37. Leonberger vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  38. Alaunt vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  39. Bully Kutta vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  40. Irish Wolfhound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  41. Alangu Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  42. Francais Blanc et Orange vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  43. Mountain Burmese vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  44. Billy vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  45. Pyrenean Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  46. Bisben vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds