Herding dogs are working dogs that have been bred over centuries to herd livestock such as sheep, cattle, and reindeer. They are intelligent, energetic, and highly trainable dogs that exhibit strong herding instincts. Many herding breeds have “blue” in their name, referring to a grayish-blue coloring of their fur. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular blue-named herding breeds and their origins, characteristics, and roles as herding dogs.
Blue Heeler
The Australian Cattle Dog, commonly known as the Blue Heeler, is a medium-sized breed developed in Australia for cattle herding. They get their name from their distinctive mottled blue coat coloring and their practice of nipping at the heels of cattle to herd them. Here are some key facts about the Blue Heeler:
- Origins – Developed in Australia in the 19th century by crossing native Australian Dingos with Collies and Dalmatians. The infusion of Dingo genes gave them great agility and endurance.
- Size – Males stand 18-20 inches tall, females 17-19 inches.
- Coat – Smooth, short, double coat with mottled blue and brown speckles. Their distinctive speckled coats inspired the name Blue Heeler.
- Temperament – Highly energetic, intelligent, strong work ethic. Can be wary around strangers but very loyal to family.
- Herding Style – Nippy heelers who herd with speed, agility and endurance. Their nips get cattle moving.
- Roles – Herding cattle over long distances on large ranches, also popular as family companions.
The Blue Heeler’s boundless energy and herding instinct make them great working dogs on large cattle ranches. Their endurance allows them to herd cattle for hours under hot sun while covering large distances. They continue to be prized as both working dogs and companions in Australia and beyond.
Blue Lacy
The Blue Lacy is a rugged herding breed developed in Texas in the mid-19th century. Named after the Lacy brothers who bred them, they were created from Greyhound, English Shepherd, and various scent hounds. Here are some key details:
- Origins – Developed by the Lacy brothers of Texas in the 1850s using Greyhound, English Shepherd, and scenthound ancestry.
- Size – Medium-sized, males 18-25 inches tall, females 17-23 inches.
- Coat – Short, smooth coat in shades of gray or blue speckles.
- Temperament – Intelligent, energetic, independent thinkers with strong drive to work.
- Herding Style – Upright, loose-eyed style. Nip heels to initiate movement then use body position to maneuver livestock.
- Roles – All-purpose farm dogs used for herding, hunting, and guarding livestock in Texas and beyond.
The Blue Lacy’s bold nature and versatile skills make them excellent all-around farm dogs. Their strong work ethic and problem-solving skills shine on the ranch. The Lacy brothers wanted an energetic herding dog that could think for itself, traits that the Blue Lacy still exhibits today.
Blue Picardy Spaniel
The Blue Picardy Spaniel hails from France and is descended from early French spaniel breeds. Its name comes from the distinctive blue-grey coat and the Picardy region where it originated. Here are some details on this rare herding breed:
- Origins – Developed in France’s Picardy region, descended from early French spaniels.
- Size – Medium-sized, males 22-24 inches tall, females 21-23 inches.
- Coat – Distinctively grey-blue marbled coat, medium length with feathering.
- Temperament – Docile, calm, sensitive. Affectionate and eager to please owners.
- Herding Style – Upright herding style with strong retrieve drive. Gather and move livestock calmly.
- Roles – Skilled at water retrieving and hunting. Also used to herd ducks and geese on farms.
The Blue Picardy nearly went extinct after World Wars I & II but is now seeing a resurgence. It remains a versatile farm dog in its native France, using its soft mouth to gently gather and herd waterfowl. Its calm, sensitive nature makes it a great family companion as well.
Australian Blue Heeler
The Australian Blue Heeler, also called the Australian Cattle Dog, is an extremely hardy herding breed developed Down Under to handle the country’s challenging conditions. Let’s explore some key facts:
- Origins – Developed in Australia’s challenging outback environment in the 19th century to herd cattle.
- Size – Medium-sized breed, males 18-20 inches tall, females 17-19 inches.
- Coat – Short, straight blue mottled coat with brown speckles.
- Temperament – Tireless, highly energetic, loyal. Wary of strangers but affectionate with family.
- Herding Style – Nips at the heels of cattle, agile and fast movements.
- Roles – Herding cattle over long distances, also popular family companions and sport dogs.
With their relentless energy and work ethic, Blue Heelers became indispensable herding dogs across Australia’s ranches and farms. Their weather-resistant coats and compact build allowed them to traverse rough terrain and work in high temperatures for extended periods. The breed’s strong herding instincts, athleticism, and loyalty make them ideal partners for managing livestock and beloved family pets.
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is an American hunting breed renowned for its excellent scenting skills and distinctively patterned blue-ticked coat. While mainly used for hunting raccoons and other prey, Blueticks also have a history ascapable herding dogs. Here are some of their key traits:
- Origins – Developed in the southern United States from French Bleu de Gascogne hounds.
- Size – Males 22-27 inches tall, females 21-25 inches.
- Coat – Dark blue coat with black ticks creating a distinctive pattern. Medium length.
- Temperament – Friendly, intelligent, energetic, trail focused when hunting.
- Herding Style – Baying to gather and drive livestock forward. Tenacious trailing ability.
- Roles – Primarily raccoon and big game hunting but also used to herd livestock, tree pests, and guard farms.
While the Bluetick Coonhound excels at its hunting roots, its athleticism, work ethic, and loud baying voice also lent themselves to herding purposes on American farms. Their super smelling skills were useful for tracking down escaping livestock as well. This versatile hound continues to be a popular American hunting breed and skilled farmhand.
Comparison of Herding Styles
While all herding breeds display the strong work ethic and intelligence needed to manage livestock, their herding styles can vary significantly. This table compares the herding styles of some popular blue-named breeds:
| Breed | Herding Style |
|---|---|
| Blue Heeler | Nips at heels and uses quick, close movements to herd. |
| Blue Lacy | Upright, loose-eyed style. Uses body position to maneuver livestock. |
| Blue Picardy Spaniel | Calm, upright style. Gently gathers and moves livestock. |
| Bluetick Coonhound | Bays loudly and tenaciously trails livestock using its superb scenting ability. |
As we can see, while all these blue breeds excel at herding, they employ quite different techniques based on their backgrounds and physical abilities. The close working Blue Heeler relies on agile nips while the Bluetick Coonhound uses its incredible nose from further distances.
The Origins of Blue Coloring in Herding Breeds
Many herding breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog and Blue Lacy are distinguished by their blue or blue-speckled coats. But where does this unusual color come from? There are a few key theories on the genetic origins of blue coats in herding breeds:
- The dilute gene – This gene dilutes black pigment to shades of gray or blue. It is common in herding breeds.
- Merle patterning – Merle causes mottled patches of color and can produce blue hues.
- Crossbreeding – Mixing diverse breeds sometimes randomly produced blue or slate offspring.
- Selection – Herders selectively bred dogs with the blue dilution for visibility as the dogs worked.
The blue coloration seems to arise from a combination of genetic factors. The dilute gene which turns black to blue is common in herding dogs. Merle patterning can also produce blue patches. And intentional crossbreeding of distant breeds increased variation in coat colors. The striking blue coats allowed owners to spot their dogs at a distance as they worked, contributing to the popularity of blue herders.
Common Health Issues in Blue Herding Breeds
While herding dogs are bred to be tough working breeds, some health conditions are common across the blue-coated breeds:
- Hip dysplasia – Malformation of hip joints. Can cause arthritis. More prevalent in larger breeds.
- Progressive retinal atrophy – Gradually causes blindness. Affects vision needed for herding work.
- Deafness – Common in dogs with merle coats. Creates challenges with training.
- Allergies – Skin allergies and itching frequently affect herding breeds.
Responsible breeding practices help reduce the incidence of inherited conditions. But prospective owners of herding breeds should be aware of the potential for hip dysplasia, vision and hearing loss. Keeping dogs at a healthy lean weight, providing nutritional food, and avoiding overexertion can help prevent issues.
Are Blue Herding Dogs Right for You?
Before deciding if a blue herder is the right dog for you, consider these key points:
- Activity needs – Their energy level demands plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
- Trainability – These intelligent dogs need patient, consistent training with positive reinforcement.
- Prey drive – Their instincts to herd and chase livestock translate to chasing cars, pets, children.
- Guarding tendency – They can be fiercely protective and wary of strangers.
- Barking and nipping – Vocal herders who nip to control livestock.
- Coat care – Shed moderately year-round. Weekly brushing assists shedding.
While challenging, blue herding dogs can be wonderfully rewarding companions for owners able to provide proper training, vigorous activity, safe outlets for their energy, and supervision around children or other pets. These breeds are not often recommended for novice owners. But their trainability and affinity for people make them wonderful partners for those willing to meet their needs.
Notable Blue Herding Dogs
Some famous blue herding dogs that displayed exceptional abilities include:
- Meg the Blue Heeler – Reportedly rescued a farmer in Australia by running for help after he broke his leg.
- Pepper the Blue Picardy Spaniel – Saved a lost toddler in France while out on a pheasant hunt.
- Kangee the Australian Cattle Dog – Held the record for most cattle herded in 24 hours, moving 534 head of cattle.
- Bluetick Coonhound Zeus – Holds the record for the world’s longest recorded raccoon track, trailing one raccoon for 150 miles.
These herding breeds may not be household names, but their acts of service, endurance, and companionship have earned them a special place in the hearts of those who work with them. Their legendary energy and problem-solving abilities make them shine as both herding dogs and beloved family members.
Conclusion
Herding dogs bearing “blue” in their breed names have a long history of valuable service while managing livestock. Breeds like the Australian Cattle Dog, Blue Picardy Spaniel, and Bluetick Coonhound exhibit distinct herding styles but share common traits like intelligence, endurance, and trainability that make them indispensible on farms and ranches. Responsible breeding has helped cement positive qualities while moderating some health issues. Blue herding dogs require ample exercise and training but repay the dedicated owner with unwavering loyalty and a strong desire to work together. Those able to provide proper training and stimulation will gain a tireless farmhand and devoted lifelong companion.
