Miniature Dachshund vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

Miniature Dachshund vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonMiniature Dachshund is originated from Germany but Blue Healer is originated from Australia. Miniature Dachshund may grow 33 cm / 12 inches shorter than Blue Healer. Miniature Dachshund may weigh 17 kg / 37 pounds lesser than Blue Healer. Both Miniature Dachshund and Blue Healer has almost same life span. Both Miniature Dachshund and Blue Healer has almost same litter size. Both Miniature Dachshund and Blue Healer requires Low maintenance.

History

miniature dachshund - historyThe Dachshund breed is ancient and was developed in Germany sometime around the 16th century.

It was in 1870 that Dachshunds first came to the United States to be used for hunting. During the 19th century, German hunters wanted smaller dachshunds.

The Dachshund was crossed with toy terriers. The coat comes in three coats – smooth-, long-haired and wire-haired. There is just one size of Miniature Dachshund in the UK and the United States.

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

miniature dachshund puppy - descriptionComing in a range of colors such as red, black, black and tan, cream, chocolate etc, the coat of the Miniature Dachshund can be long or short. Both male and females stand at between 13 – 18cm and weigh between 3 and 5kg.

These dogs are characterized by the long back and very short legs with floppy ears and a long tail. The face is always bright and alert.

Temperament:

The Miniature Dachshund is a small dog and can happily adapt to life in the city as well as in the countryside. This is because with their exercise needs, they don’t require a huge garden but can in fact, exercise indoors.

They’ve always been bred to hunt and are independent and feisty. They’re also intelligent and will do well with training and socialization.

They are also devoted to their families and are known to bark when strangers come near their family. They’ve got a lot of energy and just love being involved with games or going on a walk. Consider him when going on a walk though as his little legs have to take many more steps as compared to your one step.

They can be stubborn, but are friendly, lovable little pets, they aren’t suited for homes with toddlers unless the children have been taught to be exceedingly gentle and kind with animals, especially small, fragile ones like this. They can so easily get hurt.

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

miniature dachshund dog - characteristicsThe Miniature Dachshund has lots of qualities which make him such a splendid pet. He is intelligent, brave, bold and loyal with his human family.

He is fun-loving and energetic and thrives on lots of games and walks. He is versatile in nature and also loves to take things easy indoors with his family.

These little dogs form strong bonds with their family and don’t like to be left on their own. When you have one of these as a pet you’re allowing a whole lot of joy into your home.

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

miniature dachshund puppies - health problemsBe very careful with the Miniature Dachshund because of their long backs. You don't want to be allowing him to be jumping off chairs etc as their backs are prone to injury. To solve the problem you can buy special stairs and ramps for small dogs.

They can live to be between 12 and 14 years of age when looked after well.

A disease that is fairly common in the Miniature Dachshund is Intervertebral Disc Disease, a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column bulge or burst into the spinal cord space, pressing on the nerves and causing nerve damage and worse, paralysis.

Symptoms of the disease include among others

  • whimpering or whining in agony
  • pain in rear legs as well as weakness
  • unwillingness to jump and reduction in activity levels
  • hunched back
  • loss of bladder- and bowel control

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

miniature dachshund dogs - caringDachshunds can put on weight quickly and you want to avoid this at all costs as extra weight can put strain on the back.

If you feed your Mini Dachshund commercially manufactured dog food, choose the best quality ones, high in vitamins and minerals and avoid some of the cheaper ones that use unwholesome fillers, colorants, sugar and lots of salt, all of which can be toxic for your pet.

Of course home-made food is always best, but not any foods either. It is best with any dog to keep their foods simple and consistent so as to avoid stomach problems. Chopped up boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as potatoes carrots and spinach will do wonders for him. Make sure that there is a constant supply of fresh, cool water for him.

Grooming:

A good brush of the coat twice a week will do fine for your Miniature Dachshund. Remember to check him over for fleas and ticks when you brush him and to feel for any unusual lumps. Keep the nails trimmed.

Check both eyes and ears for infection. There are ways to keep the inside of long eared dog breeds clean and dry, but if you’re unsure there are always professional groomers who will do the job for you, and clean their teeth at the same time. You can brush your dogs teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up, gum infection and tooth loss.

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:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
Germany
Australia
Height Male:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
13 - 18 cm
5 - 8 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 5 kg
6 - 12 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
14 - 17 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
1 - 7
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Badger Dog, Wiener Dog, Sausage Dog, Mini Sausage
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
cream, chocolate etc, black, Red, black and tan
Blue mottled, Red mottled
Coat:
Long or short
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, 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. Miniature Dachshund vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  27. Miniature Dachshund vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  28. Miniature Dachshund vs Beaglier - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Dachshund vs Bluetick Beagle - Breed Comparison
  30. Miniature Dachshund vs Basset Artesien Normand - Breed Comparison
  31. Portuguese Podengo vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  33. Pomeranian vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  34. Pug vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  35. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  36. Papillon vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  37. Miniature English Bulldog vs Miniature Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  38. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Dachshund vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature Dachshund vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  42. Miniature Dachshund vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Dachshund vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Miniature Dachshund vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  45. Miniature Dachshund vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  47. Miniature Dachshund vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  48. Miniature Dachshund vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds