Experiences with Blue Heelers and English Coon Hounds?

jlovie

jlovie

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Dashwood, ON. But some day on Manitoulin
After having my best friend Lady (jrt) for 18 years, having to put her to rest september 8th 2 years ago, I think I may be ready for another dog. I've found some puppies online, Blue Heeler and English Coon Hound cross and I really like their colors and looks. I don't have any experience with either of these breeds. I don't have interest in training them in any particular way to hunt, but they will be with me on walks in the bush with a squirrel gun. I'm mostly wondering about temperment, brightness, etc. I also live in town with a large back yard, but I'm wondering if the coon hound part of them might have a tendency to bark excessively? Basically looking for any opinions on these breeds. Thanks everyone.
 
Yo .. I have owned both breeds and also currently own a blue heeler x Sharpei ...he's one of the most fun dogs I have ever owned.. a great all round dog... the coon hound (I raised blue ticks) is bred to trail game by sent.. they are not easily obedience trained but crosses tend to be a lot more receptive.. hounds are generally very good natured with people.. the heeler is bred as a stock dog... they're smart, learn quick, a pinch more aggressive then their herding relatives (borders, etc) and no shortage of grit.. I think they'd be a great choice for a fellow who spends a lot of time in the woods... should have enough balls to grab a bear by the ass but have sense enough to get out of the way....
 
We had a few heelers on the farm over the years. They can be quite agressive if not properly trained and they have no end to their energy levels. You won't find a more loyal breed-they are very protective and tend to only listen to the one person they feel is their master. And considering that their legs are only about 12 inches long they can run incredibly fast- we used to clock ours running behind the truck at 30-32 mph. One of my favorite breeds for sure.
 
We are on our fourth heeler at present,very smart, loyal, and a great "stay at home dog with no inclanation to wander. All four would play fetch till they drop, great on rats, mice,groundhogs etc and cats if allowed. Very strong herding instinct with cattle and horses. I found ours attached themsleves more strongly to me than the wife and kids and looked to me first for orders. They are strong willed and so must be disciplined properly as pups to overcome their territorial behaviour and enthusiasim for work. We have found they have a hearing defect and start losing it at 7 or 8. One dog would work cattle purely by hand signals. A big plus, all of our heelers loved kids, ours and everybody elses. Kids= sticks and balls to fetch
 
i had a bluehealerXlab very loyal. had tuns of energy loved to fetch so much it was anoying. if i was into hunting back then she would have made a awsome duck dog
 
I have two heelers and have bred them in the past. Heelers are scary smart, tough as nails and live for a real long time. Crossing them with a hound could be interesting. The seem to cross well with huskies and border collies.
 
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I've got two ACD's and they are a handful, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I caution that strong, consistent leadership is a must with this breed.
 
I have had red heelers in the past. Loved to kill cats but other than that they are a great dog. Very active and can easily be taught to fetch. Also mine were all good family pets.
 
A blue heeler pulled my 3 year old daughter off a swing set and chewed her up pretty good. About 50 stitches in 15 different spots on her legs and arms. My wife and her were visiting a friends farm where the dog lived. The owner of the dog was the first on the scene. When he picked her up, he had to boot the dog to get it to stop jumping up trying to keep biting her. I was working away when it happened. The dog was 'gone' when I came home.

I don't like heelers.
 
Slapshot said:
A blue heeler pulled my 3 year old daughter off a swing set and chewed her up pretty good. About 50 stitches in 15 different spots on her legs and arms. My wife and her were visiting a friends farm where the dog lived. The owner of the dog was the first on the scene. When he picked her up, he had to boot the dog to get it to stop jumping up trying to keep biting her. I was working away when it happened. The dog was 'gone' when I came home.

I don't like heelers.
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I would say thats a person who did nothing to help the dog learn. Ive had heelers forever, they are incredibly smart but from a young age need to be taught right from wrong. The most loyal dog you will ever find with a heart of gold and an amazing vocabulary understanding.

I would recommend a heeler to anyone that has a level- headed calm demeanor (when the pup is young), and is looking for a friend for life.
 
Why not get a dog bred for the task? If your goal is walk-up hunting of small game, any of the European versatile breeds are useful for that purpose, and some breeds are developed specifically for it. Basing your decision on nice looks is understandable, but not the ideal approach to improve your odds of buying a pup that will develop into the companion you seek.
A hound is born and bred to chase while baying. A blue heeler is a stock dog, bred to bite and hold livestock for the herdsman. Neither is ideal for walks in the bush with a squirrel gun.
 
I've been around heelers all my life on the farm and agree with everything everybody has said . Even the guy that had his kid attacked. I have seen one heeler that was on a pig farm that was not socialized much as a pup basically stayed in the barn for most of first year.
It was one of the nastiest focking dogs I've seen. I told the guy that owned it I'd cut it from ear to ear if it bit my kid. It did have to be put down due to aggression . But i think it was their own fault not the dogs.
I killed a pitbull/chocolate lab with my hands to save my buddies wife in Dayton Ohio. So I've seen nasty up close. Lucky it had a choke collar on or I don't know what would have happened.

I would own a heeler though no problem. Strong , smart, faithful ,guarding, fun dogs.
But be aware of them around strangers as they are very protective of their family.
 
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