Irish Jack Russell vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

Irish Jack Russell vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonIrish Jack Russell is originated from United States but Blue Healer is originated from Australia. Irish Jack Russell may grow 16 cm / 6 inches shorter than Blue Healer. Irish Jack Russell may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Blue Healer. Both Irish Jack Russell and Blue Healer has almost same life span. Both Irish Jack Russell and Blue Healer has almost same litter size. Both Irish Jack Russell and Blue Healer requires Low maintenance.

History

irish jack russell - historyOriginating in the United States of America, the Irish Jack Russell, also known as Short Jack Russells, was bred to bring about a calmer temperament and to also have a dog with shorter legs.

Always a working dog, breeders of the Irish Jack Russell wanted to create a dog with less of a hunting instinct in him and have a dog which would be more companionable.

These Irish Jack Russells look much like your regular Jack Russell but are more of a companion dog than a hunting dog. The Irish Jack Russell doesn’t adhere to any existing Jack Russell breed standard and isn't really recognized at major dog clubs and kennels. The truth of the whole matter is that there are different kinds of Jack Russells and different names given to them to differentiate between the taller Jack Russell and the short legged one. The shorter Jack Russell Terriers are known by many names such as Irish Jack Russell and Shorty Jack Russells.

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.

Description

irish jack russell puppy - descriptionIrish Jack Russells are small dogs standing at roughly 18 to 35cm and weighing in the region of 5 to 8kg for both males and females.

He looks much like your regular Jack Russell but he has shorter legs, and where the regular Jack Russell has an essentially white coat with orange-tan patches, the Irish Jack Russell can be solid tan or other color variations such as red, brindle, black and tan.

The coat can be short or fairly long and coarse. The Irish Jack Russell is a sturdy, compact dog with a flat skull, brown eyes and ears which are semi-erect, semi-floppy. He has a bright, alert, intelligent look on his face. The tail is set fairly high and has always been docked but these days it is inclined to be left long, taking away from the dog’s nice compact look.

Temperament:

The Irish Jack Russell is perhaps more placid than the regular Jack Russell and that is why he can adapt to life in the city or in the country. They’re intelligent dogs and therefore easy to train and have socialized.

Even though he is a small dog, training and socialization is important as he is a feisty, stubborn, know-it-all little dog. These are dogs which can become possessive of their owner and they can become quite aggressive when protecting their family. He is a highly trainable dog but it is important to have him trained as he tends to be aggressive with other dogs.

He is busy, active, happy and inquisitive and will require regular exercise to prevent him becoming restless and destructive. He has been a working terrier and he always wants to be busy.

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

irish jack russell dog - characteristicsThe Irish Jack Russell is a self-confident, energetic dog who will like nothing more than to be involved with everything you’re doing. The busier he is the better, and because he has strong hunting instincts you may find him digging in your garden for rats.

Have him trained and socialized if you want to avoid certain problems with him and remember to exercise him and provide him with the attention he craves.

He is a social dog and will pine away if you just leave him to get by on his own. Make sure that he becomes every bit as part of your family as everyone else and he promises to make you a loyal, devoted companion.

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

irish jack russell puppies - health problemsYour Irish Jack Russell is a dog that doesn’t battle with too many health issues, but nonetheless you still need to watch out for common health problems.

Jack Russell terriers are generally a healthy breed that can live up to 14 years of age, but still every dog is prone to the more common dog problems such as hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections and dental disease among others.

If your Irish Jack Russell is in pain, he is lethargic and sick, don’t delay – take him to the vet right away.

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:

irish jack russell dogs - caringThe Irish Jack Russell is an average shedder with his short or longish coat which is easy to groom, requiring a brush once or twice a week. His nails grow quickly too and they can get caught on something and cause him damage. Trim your pet’s nails to prevent this.

Diet:

Feed your Irish Jack Russell good quality dog food each day. If you feed him commercially manufactured dog food, be certain to check the feeding instructions on the packaging.

He is a small dog, and overfeeding can be just as bad as under-feeding. It’s never a good idea to just go on and on feeding your pet dry or wet kibble day after day. Add in some cooked chicken, rice, pasta and vegetables as a treat and to also provide some variety for him.

Also a little bit of raw meat occasionally can do him the world of good and you’ll see the appreciation in his bright eyes and wagging tail.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Australia
Height Male:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
18 - 35 cm
7 - 14 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
5 - 8 kg
11 - 18 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 16 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
1 - 7
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Irish Jack Russell, Shorty Jack Russells
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
tan, brindle, White coat with orange
Blue mottled, Red mottled
Coat:
Short or long - coarse
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  2. Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  4. Blue Healer vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  6. Blue Healer vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Blue Healer vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  8. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  9. Blue Healer vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  11. Blue Healer vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Healer vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  13. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Healer vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  16. English Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  17. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  18. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  19. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  20. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  21. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  22. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  23. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  24. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  25. Red Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  26. Irish Jack Russell vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  27. Irish Jack Russell vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Lancashire Heeler vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  30. Telomian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  31. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  32. Pomeranian vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  33. Maltese vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  34. Pug vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  35. Maltipoo vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  36. Jack Russell Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature Schnauzer vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  38. Mal-Shi vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  39. Papillon vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  41. Japanese Chin vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature English Bulldog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  44. Lhasa Apso vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Poodle vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  46. Japanese Spitz vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  47. Italian Greyhound vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  48. Rat Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  49. Scottish Terrier vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  50. Malti-Pom vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds