Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonAppenzell Mountain Dog is originated from Switzerland but Blue Healer is originated from Australia. Both Appenzell Mountain Dog and Blue Healer are having almost same height. Appenzell Mountain Dog may weigh 10 kg / 23 pounds more than Blue Healer. Both Appenzell Mountain Dog and Blue Healer has almost same life span. Both Appenzell Mountain Dog and Blue Healer has almost same litter size. Appenzell Mountain Dog requires Moderate maintenance. But Blue Healer requires Low maintenance

History

appenzell mountain dog - historyHailing from the Appenzell region of Switzerland and known as the Appenzeller Mountain Dog or the Appenzeller Sennenhunde, this athletic breed of dog has a history which is debatable and which has several theories.

It is believed the dog is descended from Molossus.The Appenzeller Mountain Dog is one of the 4 recognized Swiss Sennenhunds, appearing to have descended from cattle dogs. The first breed club was founded in 1906 by Albert Heim. However, an early reference to the breed's predecessors was made in a book of 1853, where it refers to dogs in the Appenzell region.

In 1898 the Appenzeller Mountain Dog was shown at the first international dog show and was recognized internationally as a separate breed in 1989.

blue healer - historyIt was in 1802 that George Hall arrived in New South Wales, establishing 2 cattle stations. He had a problem – getting his thousands of cattle to the Sydney markets. He began looking at the prospect of a droving dog and imported a number of dogs of which a blue mottled dog emerged.

The dogs were crossed with dingoes and by 1840 the Halls Heelers were used by the Halls. However with the death of one of the Halls, their cattle stations went to action and the dogs, the Halls Heelers became available.

The dogs attracted attention, and the term ‘Australian Cattle Dog’ was adopted. The name referred to those dogs coming from Thomas Hall's ‘Heelers’. There have been many arguments about the origin of the breed, but the red or blue offspring known as Hall's Heelers were proven cattle drovers, and with further breeding experiments which included the Australian Kelpie, dingoes and the Dalmation, by 1893, the tough, robust working breed known as the Blue Heeler or the Australian Cattle Dog came about.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
Switzerland
Australia
Height Male:
52 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
50 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
1 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Appenzeller Mountain Dog, Appenzeller Sennenhunde
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
Black, white, tan
Blue mottled, Red mottled
Coat:
Shortish, straight hair, dense
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

appenzell mountain dog puppy - descriptionThe Appenzell Mountain Dog is a medium-sized dog standing at between 47–58cm at the withers and weighing in at 22–32kg.

He is a heavy-built dog and sports a tri-color coat – black, tan and white. He has a double coat with the topcoat being shortish, thick and straight. He sheds throughout the year and isn’t hypoallergenic. He has small ears which are high set and which are floppy. The tail is long and curls when held high.

Temperament:

The Appenzell is an active breed who has been used to herding, fetching and working. Because of his energy levels, he won’t fit in well in a small home where his energy needs can’t be met. However wherever he is, he bonds closely with his human family and thrives on attention from them.

He isn’t known as an aggressive dog, but if as a working breed, he felt that the livestock he was guarding was under threat, he could exhibit some aggressiveness.

He gets on well with children in the home and other pets but is inclined to be wary of strangers. Just as with any other dog, training and socialization does wonders for him, making him relaxed and obedient around people and dogs.

blue healer puppy - descriptionBlue Heelers are medium-sized, sturdy, compact dogs who are somewhat longer than tall. The female Blue Heeler measures roughly 43–48cm at the withers, while the male measures about 46–51cm. If your Blue Heeler is in tip top condition, he’ll weigh about 15 to 22 kilograms. They are muscular with pointed, erect ears, dark eyes and long tails which are mostly hanging downwards. Their dense coats are blue- or red speckled and sometimes with tan markings.

The Blue Heeler is a ball of energy and he is clever too. You won’t find him sitting around for too long, and if there is sign of a walk or a ball game, he’s in! He is an independent dog, and although he makes a wonderful family pet, he tends to attach himself to that one special person in his life. He is a natural watchdog and protector of his human family.

Characteristics

appenzell mountain dog dog - characteristicsHerding dogs tend to be independent and somewhat reserved but the Appenzell Mountain Dog is social, outgoing and loving with his human family. When trained and socialized he gets on well with other pets as well as children in the home.

He is a working dog, and thrives on being active, so a good amount of exercise will be necessary. He is a courageous, affectionate dog and when you give him the right upbringing and treat him as he deserves to be treated, he becomes a splendid pet.

blue healer dog - characteristicsTraining and socializing of your Blue Heeler will ensure that your dog does what you want him to. The Blue Heeler is an intelligent, responsive dog and training can benefit him, turning him into an outstanding family pet, good with children and other pets in the home.

He is a playful, affectionate pet who doesn’t take easily to strangers, and this is what makes him such an excellent guard dog.

Your Blue Heeler is not an apartment dog as he requires a lot of exercise, and cooping him indoors for too long with nothing to do can lead to destructive behavior.

Head-strong, independent and robust, your Blue Heeler will need a firm owner who is boss. Add to the firm owner a lot of love and care, and you’ll have a devoted friend.

Health Problems

appenzell mountain dog puppies - health problemsThere are some health problems with dogs which are inherited. It is why some people insist on getting certificates from breeders to show that the parents were cleared of certain diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia.

Certainly, it’s a known fact that many health problems can be prevented by the way you feed your dog and the way you raise him.

If you suspect your pet is suffering with an ailment that is making him lethargic and run-down, get him to the vet immediately.

blue healer puppies - health problemsAustralian cattle dogs are healthy and can live up to 15 years of age, but even so there are some genetic conditions that you will need to be aware of following

Eye issues which includes progressive retinal atrophy – this disease is an inherited disease of the retina of the eye where the rod cells are destined to die. Fortunately it is not painful for the dog. There are different types of inherited retinal degenerative diseases in dogs but going into detail with them is beyond the scope of this article. For more information you can chat to your vet.

Recessive piebald elleles - the Blue Heeler has recessive piebald alleles which can produce white in the skin and coat and which is linked to congenital hereditary deafness.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

appenzell mountain dog dogs - caringYou want your Appenzell Mountain Dog to maintain his thick shiny coat, and because he sheds throughout the year, a good brushing twice a week will benefit him.

Dogs with hanging ears, such as this dog, are always more prone to ear infections, requiring more attention to the inside of the ears. Clean, dry ears resist ear infections.

The nails of the dog should also be trimmed when they become too long.

Exercise:

The Appenzeller is a working dog, used to being active all day, so he will require a lot of exercise. He just loves being outdoors, and while he adapts to city- and country life, he will prefer living in the country. Take him for walks, play ball with him and allow him to run with you when you go jogging or cycling.

Diet:

A young adult Appenzeller Sennenhunde will require a different calorie intake compared to a dog that has been spayed or neutered or a puppy that is still growing. You need to watch your dog’s age, his size and the particular season of his life he is in and adjust his food intake.

Kibble is good and well, and there are excellent brands packed with nutrients, but your furry friend will require brown rice, vegetables and cooked chicken mixed into his kibble from time to time as well as raw meat added in when possible.

An excellent diet is important for the wellbeing of your pet, and always ensure that fresh, cool water is available.

Provide Plenty of Exercise

blue healer dogs - caringRemember that your Blue Heeler was once a full time cattle dog where he used to become totally and utterly exhausted from herding cattle. This is what he loved – the activity. If you have a Blue Heeler, you will need to provide him with plenty of exercise.

If you live on a farm, your Blue Heeler will be in his element because he can run, walk and swim to his heart’s content. If you keep your Blue Heeler in your back garden, you will need to provide him with ball games, rope games, long walks, running on a leash as you cycle and other activities.

Grooming

Your Blue Heeler has a short, weather-resistant double coat. He’s not a heavy shedder, but he will have his share of seasonal shedding, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of brushing him at least twice a week. This will get rid of all those loose hairs and keep his skin healthy by getting the blood flowing and distributing his natural oils.

Feeding

Giving the best dog food for your Blue Heeler will come from either your home made food or a top quality commercially manufactured dog food. He is such a high energy dog, that your veterinarian can advise you on a dog food specially designed for high energy breeds.

These foods are well balanced and are enriched with amino acids and vitamins, promoting healthy bones and joints. Remember to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and to ensure a constant source of cool, fresh water.

General care

Ensure your Blue Heeler’s ongoing health by paying attention to ears, nails and teeth.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Dutch Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. English Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  7. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  9. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  11. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  12. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  13. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  14. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  15. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  16. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  17. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  18. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  20. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  21. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  22. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  23. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  24. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  29. Blue Healer vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  30. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  31. Blue Healer vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  32. Blue Healer vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  33. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. Blue Healer vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  35. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Blue Healer vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  37. Blue Healer vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  38. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  39. Blue Healer vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  40. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  41. English Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  42. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  43. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  44. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  45. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  46. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  47. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  48. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  49. Red Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds