Red Heeler

The exact origin of the Red Heeler or better known as the Australian Cattle Dog is not known. Their origin appears to start during the 1850 when a drover who was known as Thomas Hall imported Welsh Heelers or Highland Collies from Scotland. These dogs are good heelers but they bark at the head which is not advisable for wild cattle. They also lacked the bearing powers and heat resistance needed to stay active and healthy for the climate. Thomas experimented and crossed the Highland Collies to some Dingoes that known to have a reputable silence and heat resistance. He was successful and these new breed was known as the Blue Heelers. The breed was saved by some people who brought Hall’s pure breed, particularly Fred Davis.

The next cross was to Dalmatian, a breed that is known for working coach horses. But to ensure that the herding ability won’t be compromised, Black and Tan Kelpies were used. The resulting dogs had unique markings that display their strain. Bentley’s dog was known as the best working dog and has been used by Kaleski on all his bitches and might have been the reason for the Bentleys mark in the forehead that you can find mostly in the Australian Cattle dogs today.

During World War II, soldiers who were assigned in Queensland may have noticed these dogs and decided to bring it home after their service was ended. These dogs were known as Queensland Blue Heelers, Red Heelers or Australian cattle Dogs. These dogs and the following breeds of these dogs ended up working on Western US cattle ranches. The official named bestowed to them was not known to others.

As the Australian Cattle Dogs were recognized by AKC in 1980, the purity issue of the breed was traced and dogs with Australian papers were recognized and been allowed to register. But the name Queensland was stuck even today in most places in America.