Southern Hound vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

Southern Hound is originated from United Kingdom but Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia. Southern Hound may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Australian Red Heeler. Southern Hound may weigh 25 kg / 56 pounds more than Australian Red Heeler. Both Southern Hound and Australian Red Heeler has almost same life span. Southern Hound may have more litter size than Australian Red Heeler. Southern Hound requires Low maintenance. But Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate maintenance

History

The Southern Hound hails from England and is a breed of dog that existed sometime in the 19th century.

It is now extinct.

There isn’t much information available as to the time the dog became extinct. Some people believe that other breeds were bred with the dog until the true Southern Hound bloodline no longer existed. It was a breed of scent hound, and had an excellent sense of smell.

Known also as the Old English Hound, it was during the 18th century that the Southern Hound’s popularity waned and other kinds of hounds became more prominent.

While the Southern Hound has been extinct for decades, there is still some of this dog breed found in modern day breed.

It s believed that the Southern Hound has been used in the development of the Beagle and the Bloodhound as you can see the similarities.

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

The Southern Hound was a large, solidly built, deep chested dog with a square head and a longish muzzle. He stood at between 58-71 cm in height and weighed 25 – 41kg.

The Southern Hound had long, wide floppy ears, much like the Basset Hound of today. The tail was fairly long and curved upright. It was known for its deep melodious voice, much like the Bloodhound we have today.

It had excellent scenting abilities and was used to follow the trail of its prey. The coat of the Southern Hound was short and smooth and it is believed that the most common colors for the coat were white with black or brown markings, making it a tricolor dog.

Temperament:

Used to being on the hunt with other dogs, there is no doubt that the Southern Hound wasn’t aggressive towards other dogs and that he knew how to get along with them. It’s a dog that was dedicated to to the hunt and was bred to work, known for its stamina and endurance.

The dog didn’t possess strong herding or protective instincts and it is thought that it wasn’t kept as a companion dog. Because of the breeds used to develop this dog, it is assumed that it was a non-aggressive, friendly dog.

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

The Southern Hound is no longer in existence, which is a pity as it seems as though he may have made an excellent pet in modern times.

They were a playful breed, loyal, gentle and affectionate and no doubt made a good watchdog too, although it is thought that his protective instincts weren’t good.

They aren’t dogs recommended for city living, but it seems according to the few records there are of this dog that he could have made a reliable, loving pet to have around.

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

Ear Infections:

The Southern Hound had drop ears which would have made him prone to ear infections. This is because unlike dogs with erect ears, air isn’t able to circulate into the ear and the inside of the ear become a breeding place for bacteria.

Cherry Eye:

The dog may have had to deal with Cherry Eye too. This eye problem affects the tear gland in the third eyelid. It needs to be treated so as to avoid long term eye problems. This is also because exposure of the tissue can bring on swelling, inflammation and infection.

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

Exercise:

Because this dog was once used as a hunting dog, they were accustomed to large open spaces. He would have required a fair amount of exercise. They would have needed a walk every day if he wasn't involved in a hunt that day.

Grooming:

The Southern Hound had a short coat and in those days he probably would have needed to be brushed once or twice a week.

Diet:

The Southern Hound would have required top quality food to support his energy. If in that time there has been commercially manufactured food, it would have had to be the better quality ones. Today if you were feeding the Southern Hound you would check out the ingredients on the packaging and go for the dog foods with wholesome, natural ingredients in them.

No doubt the owners of these dogs provided their dogs with raw and cooked meat. If you had a Southern Hound today you would try to include some home-made food for him which would be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super nutritious.

The Southern Hound would have required a constant supply of fresh, cool water within his reach.

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:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
58 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
58 - 71 cm
22 - 28 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
25 - 41 kg
55 - 91 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
3 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Old English Hound
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
Colors Available:
black, tan - tricolored, White
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Coat:
Short, smooth, hard
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
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. Southern Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  27. Southern Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  28. Southern Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  29. Southern Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  30. Southern Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  31. Southern Hound vs Samoyed - Breed Comparison
  32. Southern Hound vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  33. Southern Hound vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  34. Southern Hound vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  35. Southern Hound vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  36. Southern Hound vs Presa Canario - Breed Comparison
  37. Southern Hound vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  38. Southern Hound vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Southern Hound vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  40. Southern Hound vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  41. Southern Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  42. Southern Hound vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  43. Southern Hound vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  44. Southern Hound vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  45. Southern Hound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  46. Southern Hound vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  47. Southern Hound vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  48. Southern Hound vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  49. Southern Hound vs Central Asian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  50. Southern Hound vs Mackenzie River Husky - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds