Australian Cattle Dog (ACD) Articles and Information

Blue Heelers and Their Bad Hind Legs

Although the powerful work dog; the Blue Heeler will seem, and act indestructible, they unfortunate are not.  They can be very full hardy at times and this can lead to them unintentionally hurting themselves.  With some attention, and care looking after your Australian Cattle Dog properly can prevent this. 

However in saying that; there are some things that mother nature, and a puppy maturing cannot prevent.  One of those things in the terms of Blue Heelers, and Australian Cattle Dogs are bad hind legs (as with the case as many dogs).  It seems that Blue Heelers are more prone to this though.  The problem being is that since Blue Heelers are born to run and chase that activity can only lead to the road of your poor puppies legs deteriorating faster then normal.

Its most likely safe to say that you will get a good 5 or 6 human years from ADD ACD before this starts to kick in.  At around 4 or 5 human years is when you might notice some slight limping after walk, runs, or hard playing sessions.  Don't forget these dogs love to jump too!  They can jump very high at that.  Frisbee or other jumping activities such as Skydiving or B.A.S.E. Jumping is not recommended for the more mature Blue Heeler.

Some fun, and safe activities for pooches sore little legs of course is swimming!  If your puppus mobile love swimming, and they probably do, then get them to the beach, and or a safe river/lake for a workout.  Dog swimming is a wonderful activity that has very little or no impact.  The only time they have impact is when they are running back from the ocean with their slimy ball in their mouth, ready for you to throw again, and again, and again, oh, did I mention again.  Like anything Blue Heelers can, and will do this all day.  It is your duty, and your responsibly to tell them, and let them know that enough is enough.  The head strong heeler will continue to swim, and play ball in the water even while they are extremely tired, putting their health, and safety at risk.  If you do not have access to a near by ocean, river, or lake don't put them in the bath tub (if you have one) pretending like its plenty of room for this.  I've seen people do this, and trust me.  Don't go there.

When your Australian Cattle Dogs little hind legs start to show limping, and other signs of achy sore legs.  Ease off the accelerator a little bit.  Let the little legs heal up.  They'll be ready for action again soon, but just take it down a few notches this time.  The idea is to exercise your Heeler, not hurt them.  Obviously a good indication of a proper work out is them not showing any signs of pain, limping, or swearing after a fun playing session.

We give our Blue Heeler as recommended by our regular, and local veterinarian Glucosamine pills.  These are basically sugar pills.  Humans take them too.  They are common for arthritis, and other achy bone & joint ailments.  Share them with your ACD too.  They need it!  They might not like it at first, but they're smart, and will get used to it. 

Your Blue Heeler will love you, and thank you for it later on.

Good luck, have fun, watch after yourself, and of course your extremely active Blue Heeler.