Blue Heelers, also known as Australian Cattle Dogs, are probably best recognized by their impressive blue coats and immense work drive. But are Blue Heelers hypoallergenic?
No. This herding dog is not. Their shedding levels are too high to be deemed a hypoallergenic breed.
Blue Heeler/Australian Cattle Dog Quick Facts
What Makes a Dog Hypoallergenic?
Although no dog is guaranteed to be truly 100% hypoallergenic, certain breeds are much less likely to trigger allergic reactions in their owners.
Common traits these canines share include:
- Low-shedding coats.
- Having hair, not fur.
- Lower saliva production.
One big factor is dander — dead skin cells. They cause the allergic reaction, not the hair/fur itself. And, as dander travels rather well on hair, the more a dog sheds, the more dander you’ll be exposed to. Hence, hypoallergenic dogs are also low dander dogs.
The Blue Heeler’s Coat
Bred as working dogs in the Outback, Australian Cattle Dogs (the official breed name) needed a thick coat, like many herding breeds, to protect them from the elements.
Although hypoallergenic herding dogs do exist, the ACD isn’t one of them. The Blue Heeler boasts a dense double coat consisting of a short, weather-resistant overcoat and a thick fur undercoat.
All Australian Cattle Dogs are born with a white coat that turns either blue-gray or red — the Red Heeler. The more popular blue or blue-mottled coats can feature black, blue, or tan markings on the head with partial tan on the forelegs, chest, and throat.
How Much Do Blue Heelers Shed?
Thanks to that short coat, Blue Heelers constantly shed. Plus, their undercoat will shed more aggressively twice a year, depending on the season, to help them regulate their body temperature.
In spring, they shed their winter coat to make way for new hair growth. This will be much thinner to help the pooch keep their body cool throughout the summer.
In the fall, Blue Heelers shed again to allow for a new layer of thick fur to keep their body warm and insulated throughout the colder winter months.
How To Stop a Blue Heeler From Shedding?
Unfortunately, shedding is a natural process, which means you can’t stop it from happening. However, there are certain measures you can take to reduce the shedding of a Blue Heeler.
1. Only Bathe When Necessary
It can be tempting, especially with these high-energy, outdoors-loving pups, to bathe them every time they come in from a day out in the field, local park, muddy backyard, etc., but don’t. Their skin produces oils to keep their coat water resistant — too frequent bathing can upset the balance and dry out their skin — promoting more dander.
You should only bathe a Blue Heeler as needed — every couple of months — depending on how dirty they get.
Use a good quality soap-free shampoo for dogs, not your own, to lift excess dead hair, dirt, or dander that may be stuck in their coats. Natural ingredients like aloe vera, oatmeal, and chamomile are gentle on the skin and moisturize too.
2. Maintain a Proper Grooming Regime
Although relatively low maintenance, weekly brushing will help control random fur fall. Always brush their coats in the direction of the hair growth — a slicker or bristle brush is best for short-haired breeds, such as the Blue Heeler.
During the shedding seasons of fall and spring, you will need to brush the coat of a Blue Heeler more frequently. Thorough brushing with your short bristled brush will help remove the excess dead hairs. For the undercoat, a rake or comb will do the best job.
Like all breeds, you should regularly clip a Blue Heeler’s nails and clean their ears and teeth occasionally to promote wellness.
3. Diet and Nutrition — Keep it Balanced
A well-balanced diet can be essential for the health of your Blue Heeler’s skin and coat. Healthy skin will tend to produce less dander and help keep shedding at a minimum.
Opt for high-quality food — dry or wet — that includes natural, protein-rich ingredients and isn’t laden with unnecessary fillers. This will ensure your dog and their skin are always healthy because the diet fulfills their nutritional needs.
Probiotics, omega-3 supplements, salmon oil, or other fatty fish oils can also be helpful for promoting healthy skin and coat condition — which also helps reduce excessive shedding.
The Blue Heeler’s Hypoallergenic Alternatives
Blue Heelers are working dogs, originally bred to herd cattle across the vast expanse of Australia — meaning they’re incredibly hard-working, smart, and easy to train. They also make loyal companions and are just as comfortable in an urban home as they are on a ranch.
Unfortunately, like most working or herding dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog is not hypoallergenic. Yet, if you crave a pooch with the energy drive, work ethic, and intelligence of such a breed, there are hypoallergenic alternatives.
With a height of 18.5 to 19.5 inches, the Standard Schnauzer is a similar size to the Blue Heeler. But the big difference is their wire-haired coat of medium length.
A Standard Schnauzer only sheds moderately, with their undercoat not shedding too often either. If on the odd occasion, you find any clumps of fur around the house, the dander will be trapped in their wiry top coat rather than around your home.
Belonging to the Working Dog Group, the Schnauzer isn’t quite so energetic, but has a similar playful and protective nature. For allergy-sensitive families, the low shedding of a Standard Schnauzer shouldn’t pose any problems.
Although they officially belong to the Terrier group, Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers were bred as farm dogs in their native Ireland and are eligible to take place in AKC Herding dog trials.
A medium-sized pooch, the Wheaten Terrier has a soft and silky single coat that’s hypoallergenic and rarely sheds. However, their medium-length coat needs more maintenance than the Heeler’s but sheds a lot less.
With a high energy level, Wheatens are happy and playful dogs who are gentle with kids. They may not be as crazy as some of the other Terriers, but they can often exhibit that Terrier stubbornness and independence.
As a non-shedding dog with a low drooling tendency, the Spanish Water Dog is a hypoallergenic ancient breed used for centuries for herding and protection purposes.
A similar size to Blue Heelers, Spanish Water Dogs sport a curly coat with a woolen texture that doesn’t need brushing. When left to grow, their hair forms cords and can often grow into dreadlocks. Remarkably, their coats shed minimally, and the SWD produces very little dander.
They’re highly energetic dogs who love being outdoors and playing. Plus, they’re incredibly smart and eager to please. However, a tendency to nip means they aren’t the best for families with young children, and they can be wary of unfamiliar faces.
Conclusion
If you have allergies and had your heart set on a Blue Heeler, you may be feeling a little disappointed right now.
However, there are alternatives out there with similar traits who may make a good fit for your family. The Standard Schnauzer or the Spanish Water Dog are two examples of active, outdoorsy breeds that won’t trigger a flare-up. And, if you’re head over heels with a Heeler, there are ways you can reduce shedding.
So, are Blue Heelers hypoallergenic? Unfortunately not, but many similar breeds will show the same love and loyalty, without the sneezing or itchy eyes.
Are Blue Heelers Hypoallergenic Dogs? FAQs
Are Australian Cattle Dogs Hypoallergenic?
No. The Australian Cattle Dog is the official name for the Blue Heeler. Hence, they are not hypoallergenic.
Are Blue Heelers Less Hypoallergenic Than Red Heelers?
No, there is very little difference between a Blue Heeler and a Red Heeler other than the color of their fur. They both have the same dense double coat that sheds moderately, with an undercoat that sheds aggressively twice a year.
Do Blue Heelers Cause Allergies?
Yes, it’s highly likely. The shedding levels of the Blue Heeler are not low enough to be classed as hypoallergenic.
Are There Any Hypoallergenic Herding Dogs?
Yes, although they are few and far between, there are some herding breeds that are better for allergy sufferers. To find out more, check out our guide on hypoallergenic herding dogs.
How Bad Does a Blue Heeler Shed?
Pretty bad!
Blue Heelers have fur, not hair — dogs with fur will shed more than dogs with hair. A hair coat generally has a much longer growth cycle, where the growth of a Heeler’s typically short fur will be truncated, falling out more regularly to make way for new follicles.
The Australian Cattle Dog sheds moderately, but twice a year, they will shed excessively when they blow out their coat. However, the male Blue Heeler will normally “blow” their coat only once a year.
Are Heelers Prone to Allergies?
Yes, Blue Heelers have a genetic predisposition to skin allergies. Blue Heeler allergies are often caused by environmental allergens or food sensitivities. Symptoms include itching, redness of the skin, and even more of that dreaded fur loss.
Treatment can include avoidance of allergens, medicated baths, or making dietary changes for your pup.
