Glad “Our” Little Heeler Isn’t 100 lbs Bigger

[4T5GUY]

Don’t know if anybody has or ever has had a Heeler. (?)

Between myself and my wife we have had several different breeds of dogs over the years. (Some rescues.) This includes German Shepherds, high percent Wolf dogs and Dobermans.

Our current male, (red,) Dober decided he did not like the horses anymore. Not good so my wife decided to get a Red Heeler girl to train, mostly for trail rides. Our first shot visit to the Vet didn’t go well. At maybe 7-10 lbs, 8 weeks old she attacked the Vet. “You need to put this dog down, gonna kill something, you’re not safe and she’s a liability,” said the Vet.

We did not put her down. She is a very loving girl and great with the horses, but even though smaller she is dominant over the @100 lb male Dober. She’s not a year old yet, small for the breed but stout and muscular. I could not imagine a Heeler that weighed 100 + lbs especially when tired or grouchy. More intimidating than any male Wolf dog we’ve had.

The picture is the day her Dr said put her down and she’s still mostly white. She had already bonded with her new Mom, especially the shoes and sandals. I couldn’t imagine “putting her down.”

Anyone have experience with Heelers? This is our first.

Jim

 

[6518John]

I would report that veterinarian to the state veterinary board. What an incompetent fool saying that about an 8 week old puppy.

Heelers can be a handful, they are bred to work stock that frequently is hundreds of pounds heavier than they are, and not appreciative of being bossed around and nipped by a yappy little pest.

 

[steelslaver]

I think 1/2 the ranches in Montana have 1 or more.

 

[steelslaver]

I would report that veterinarian to the state veterinary board. What an incompetent fool saying that about an 8 week old puppy.
.

May be he got his degree in South Dakota

 

[erikpolcrack]

My oldest son has a mature male Blue Heeler. He's temporarily living at home, working from home, while he awaits closing on his new house. He spends several days a week down in Philly. His company sent him on an overseas exchange program last year. We have therefore been hosts to his dog for a while. When my wife is home, she spends most of her non-housework time in her office, working at her computer or watching something on it. The dog stays there with her, chained so he can lie on his favorite chair or at her feet. We can't leave him loose in the house because of my wife's cats. They stay well away from the room he is in. When I try to enter the room or even stand at the door to talk to my wife, he barks, growls, and lunges for me to the end of his chain. If I've gotten too close, he will actually bite my foot or ankle and hold onto my trouser leg while snarling and tugging. He sometimes acts the same way towards our youngest son, who still lives at home. When neither my wife nor my oldest son is home, I am the dog's primary feeder, walker, and caregiver. His actions towards me when my wife is not home are limited to following me around if unchained, licking my hands, and trying to lick my face.

 

[4T5GUY]

May be he got his degree in South Dakota

I actually was gonna go that direction but I’m still in the penalty box. Great comment.

Jim

 

[6518John]

4T5GUY—the more I thought about this, the more it disturbed me. I think you absolutely need to file a complaint against the Vet with the state Veterinary Board. Here is the link with all of the information. You can do it online, or mail it in. I read the Veterinary Practices Act in detail and I would file the complaint under section 686.130(14).

Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board : How to file a complaint : State of Oregon

 

[CH4]

Perhaps the vet should try some of his blue juice.

 

[WardenRoss]

The dog deserves a chance to be trained. I wish you were closer. I'd love to see what we could do. Alpha females can be a challenge.

Was she a singleton (only one pup in the liter)?

 

[4T5GUY]

Was she a singleton (only one pup in the liter)?

Negative. She was one of six and the only red. She has occasional play days with one of her sisters, (that is twice her size but not as stocky/muscular.)

She is actually doing pretty good now. She isn’t “going Dingo” on gas station attendants when my wife fills up anymore and seems calmer now that she spends most days helping around the horses. Unlike the Dober Boy she is excellent on trail rides, usually leading out front but always in sight.

We still use the same Vet Office but a different DR.

Appreciate all the replies. This is a totally different breed for us. Like I said I’m thankful she isn’t 100 lbs bigger. Yikes

Jim

 

[WR Moore]

We had a blue. Very agile dog, good with the other pooches in the house and the livestock. Only problem we had with her was the one time she found something most potent to roll in and then come home to share it with us. She got 5-6 baths before she was fit company, never did that again.

Most every Heeler I ever saw was in the 50 lb class or less.