Blue Heeler Vs. Labrador

Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed in UK and America for the past 30 years. In 2002, a Lab named Endal was awarded the PDSA award for recovering his master from unconsciousness. His example shows that labs are the greatest service dogs. In terms of intellect, blue heelers are not far off. In fact, a Blue Heeler named Skidboot was once titled “the smartest dog in the world.” Keep reading to get a detailed comparison between these two incredible breeds (Blue Heeler and Labrador).

Blue Heeler

Blue Heelers, also known as Australian Cattle Dog, are herding dogs that originated when dogs brought to Australia from England were bred with the native Australian dingo. In May 1980, the breed was officially registered by AKC.

These dogs are sleek, long, and muscular. They have beefy legs, strong necks, projecting muzzles, and pointy ears. These dogs are bestowed with a thick weather-resistant coat. It helps them survive and work in harsh weather conditions. Blue, Blue Mottled, Blue Speckled, or red Speckled are general coat colors for this breed.

Labrador

Labrador retriever is a gundog retriever breed that originated in the 1830s when St. Johns Water dogs of Newfoundland were brought to England by ships trading between Canada and Poole. There these dogs were crossbred with British hunting dogs to produce Labradors.

Labradors have a ‘short coupled’ physique. Their bodies are thick and sturdy. Also, they have broad heads, webbed feet, and long otter-like tails. Grown-up labs weigh between 55 and 80 pounds and will grow 21.5-24.5 inches tall. These dogs come in black, chocolate, and yellow coats.

Differences Between a Blue Heeler and a Labrador

Some of the major differences between Blue Heeler and Labrador are mentioned in the table below.

Characteristics	Blue Heeler	Labrador Retriever
Group	Herding dogs	Gundogs/ Water Retrievers
Height	17-20 inches	21.5-24.5 inches
Weight	30-50 pounds	55-80 pounds
Colors	Blue, Red	Yellow, Chocolate, and Black
Playfulness	Need a moderate amount of playtime	Need a lot of games and playtime
Exercise Requirements	Low-moderate	Very high
Social Needs	Kind of anti-social	Needs a lot of social interaction
Tolerates being left alone	It handles alone time well	Highly prone to separation anxiety
Territorial	Yes, because they are guard dogs by instinct	Not quite
Prey Drive	High	Low-Average
Lifespan	12-14 years	10-12 years

Similarities Between a Blue Heeler and a Labrador

The following are some of the most important similarities between these breeds.

Intelligence – Both breeds are renowned for their smartness and intellect. They are quick learners and have incredible working abilities.

Sensitivity – Both breeds are sensitive. They know when you are happy or angry and can easily get upset by a rude tone or lack of attention.  

Trainability – Due to their intellectual properties, both breeds can learn commands promptly. They are keen to please their owners and curious to learn new tricks.  

Exercise Requirements – Both breeds are filled with gusto. They require a lot of exercise to fulfill their physical and mental needs. On average, both breeds require 2 hours of high-intensity exercise daily.

Obesity – Both breeds overweigh quickly if the balance in diet and exercise isn’t maintained.

Hypoallergenicity – Both breeds are not hypoallergenic and will shed a lot of hair.

Grooming Requirements – These breeds require minimum grooming and a session or two of brushing (weekly) should be enough.

Apartment Life – Due to their high energy and exuberance, these breeds can’t dwell in apartments.

Unusual Litters – Labs can potentially have all three colors in their litter no matter what color of parents is. On the other hand, blue heeler puppies are all white when born and color changes with age.

Check out our post “Labrador VS Cocker Spaniel” to learn just how different these 2 pups are.

What is Better about a Blue Heeler?

Blue heelers are comparatively calmer than labs. They aren’t prone to separation anxiety and can stay on their own for an adequate amount of time. These are excellent guard dogs or, watchdogs. They are wary of the intruders and always guard their pack. Blue heelers are immune to many health issues that other dogs have.

What is Better about a Labrador?

Labradors are highly sociable and loving. They behave well with strangers and get along well with other pets as well. They get along well with kids and love to play with them. These qualities make them great family dogs. They love traveling and taking part in talent contests. They adapt well to different lifestyles. Also, labs are great service dogs. They can serve as rescue dogs, guide dogs, and therapy dogs.

Who Should Get a Blue Heeler?

Blue heelers are tailor-made for working people, especially those who require a guard dog. They can be great partners if you work in the police or similar departments. Similarly, if you are a farmer who dwells in the countryside, blue heelers can assist you in herding your cattle. They are also a great choice for single working people who require a kind of independent pet. 

Who Should Get a Labrador?

Labs are ideal for families that have broad social circles where they may encounter many strangers. They are best for aspiring dog fanciers who would love to contest their pooch in dog shows. Moreover, they can be great working companions for people who work in rescue departments and similar public services. They can also be great assistants for people with some physical disability owing to their ability as guide dogs.

Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.