Blue heelers (Australian Cattle Dogs) and huskies may seem very different, but they actually have quite a bit in common. A husky blue heeler mix (ausky) is intelligent, affectionate, and energetic.
They can be challenging, thanks to their high energy levels and independent streak. They are a great pet for very active families.
Contents
Quick Profile
Before we get into the details of the husky blue heeler mix, let’s take a look at some quick facts.
If you think this is the right pooch for you, be sure to keep reading below to learn more.
- Other Names: Ausky, Blue heeler husky, Husky blue heeler
- Average Lifespan: 11-16 years
- Average Height: 18-22 inches
- Average Weight: 35-55 pounds
- Coat appearance: double coat, short to medium length, White, blue, silver or gray, red, brown, black, tan
- Eye Colour: brown, blue, bi-color
- Activity Level: High
- Grooming Frequency: Every other day, daily when shedding
- Typical Temperament: Energetic, intelligent, protective, loyal, independent, stubborn, mischievous
- Daily Food Consumption: 2-3 cups of dry food daily
- New Owner Friendly: Difficult for new owners
- Suitable to live with children? Yes
- Suitable to live with other dogs? Yes
- Suitable to live with cats? Yes, need socialization as a puppy
Appearance
Appearance can be difficult to predict in mixed breed pooches, because they will inherit characteristics from both parents.
To understand the potential appearance of a husky blue heeler mix, let’s take a look at the parent breeds.
Husky Appearance
Huskies originate from Siberia, where they were bred to pull sleds across the Arctic. They have a thick, medium-length double coat, and long bushy tails that help keep them warm.
They are graceful and lean, and slightly longer than they are tall. They have expressive eyes and a medium-length muzzle. They have erect triangle-shaped ears.
Their coat is typically bi-colored, which means it has two colors. They can also sport a tri-color coat, or a solid color coat, which is rare for the breed.
Potential coat colors include:
- White
- Gray
- Black
- Tan
- Sable (red with black tipped hairs)
- Agouti (gray or wolf sable)
- Tan
Their eyes can be brown, blue, or rarely, green. They can also have heterochromia, which means they have one eye of each color.
Blue Heeler Appearance
Blue heelers, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, originated as working dogs in Australia.
They were bred to herd livestock in the outback.
They are compact, well-muscled, and lean. They have erect ears, and a long smooth tail. Their head is broad, with a medium-length muzzle.
Blue heelers also have a double coat, although it’s shorter than a husky coat. They have a signature color pattern.
Black and white are mixed throughout the coat, to give it a blue appearance. The coat may be a light silver color, a deep blue, or anything in between.
They will also have blue, black, or tan markings on their head. Their chest and legs will have brown areas.
They may also have black around one or both eyes, which is known as a black mask.
Average Size
Blue heelers and huskies are similar in size, which makes the size of their offspring easier to predict.
A husky blue heeler mix will be 35-55 pounds and grow to 18-22 inches tall.
Blue heelers grow to 17-20 inches tall and weigh 35-50 pounds. Huskies reach 20-24 inches tall and weigh 35-60 pounds.
Coat Appearance
Your blue heeler husky mix may inherit the coat of either parent. They will have a double coat.
However, they can have a kinky undercoat, and a short topcoat, like the blue heeler. They may also have a soft undercoat, and a medium-length topcoat, like a husky.
They may also inherit a coat that’s somewhere in between. It may be longer than a heeler coat, but shorter than that of the husky.
When it comes to the color of their coat, they can also inherit the coloring of either parent.
They will likely have a coat that is bi-color or tri-color. They may resemble a husky, or a blue heeler in color.
Physical Features
These pooches will be a bit longer than they are tall, with the graceful and powerful body of both parents.
They will have erect ears and a long tail. They will have a medium-length muzzle.
Their eyes can be brown like the blue heelers. They can also inherit blue eyes or heterochromia from their husky parent.
Grooming Guide
Grooming your husky blue heeler mix will depend on the type of coat they inherit.
Pooches with a husky-type coat will require grooming more often than those with a bleu heeler-type coat.
Grooming Tools
Before we get into the specifics of grooming your husky blue heeler mix, let’s talk about the tools you’ll need for the job.
Tools needed include:
- Pin Brush (husky type coat)
- Bristle Brush (both coats)
- Undercoat rake (both coats)
- Dematter tool (husky type coat)
- Dog shampoo
- Nail trimmers
Brushing Your Husky Blue Heeler Mix
If your pooch has a blue heeler-type coat, you’ll need to brush them once or twice a week. Those with a husky-type coat should be brushed every other day.
Both coat types need daily brushing when shedding in the spring and fall.
An undercoat rake is essential when they are shedding because it helps to remove shed hair from their undercoat.
Bathing
Blue heelers need a bath once every month or two. Huskies typically need a bath once every three months. Your blue heeler husky will likely need a bath once every 2 to 3 months.
Bathing too often can dry out their skin. However, if they need an occasional bath, don’t hesitate to give them one.
Be sure to use a shampoo designed for dogs. Shampoos designed for humans have a different ph, which can irritate your dog’s skin.
Nail Trimming
Blue heelers typically need their nails trimmed once every 2 weeks, particularly if they don’t spend a lot of time on rough surfaces.
Huskies’ nails rarely need clipping.
Your pooch may need their nails trimmed once every 2 to 4 weeks.
You should cut them when they are nearly touching the floor when they walk. It’s best to use scissor-type clippers, or a nail grinder.
Temperament
Like their appearance, the temperament of a husky blue heeler mix is somewhat unpredictable, because they will inherit traits from both parents.
However, we can make some assumptions, based on the parent breeds.
These pooches form close relationships with their family, particularly if raised with them from a young age.
They are prone to separation anxiety and depression if they are left alone for long periods.
These pooches do well with companionship. They don’t do well in homes where they spend lots of time alone.
Unfortunately, separation anxiety often leads to behavioral problems. A lack of exercise is another common cause of behavioral issues.
The dog gets blamed for its poor behavior, and many owners surrender their dogs because they don’t know how to handle them.
This isn’t the dogs’ fault. Instead, they aren’t getting the care that they need.
These pooches need a lot of time, attention, and exercise. Many experts state that they don’t make good pets, because of the blue heeler’s temperament and high need to work.
If you aren’t prepared to spend a lot of time with them, this isn’t the breed for you. You should also be sure that you have room for them to run.
If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, be prepared to make daily trips to the dog park.
They typically make good watchdogs, thanks to their blue-heeler parent. They are typically tolerant of strangers, as long as they are socialized well.
They get along well with other dogs and can live with cats if they are socialized properly.
These pooches require a strong owner. You must be calm, confident, and consistent. You’ll need to use positive reinforcement when training them.
You should begin training early. If they get the upper hand, it’s very difficult to train them.
Health
Mixed breeds are considered to be healthier than their purebred parents, thanks to their greater genetic diversity.
However, they are still at risk of some conditions that their parents often develop.
Joint Problems
Joint problems are common in both parent breeds. One issue that they are prone to is hip and elbow dysplasia.
This occurs when the hip or elbow joint doesn’t form correctly. This causes the joint to come out of place easily.
Arthritis is another concern, particularly in older pooches.
Lastly, they can develop a luxating patella. This occurs when the knee joint comes out of alignment easily.
All of these conditions can cause pain, particularly with movement.
You may also notice lameness or limping, or difficulty moving. Your pooch may be reluctant to exercise, run, or jump as well.
Eye Conditions
Blue heeler huskies are also prone to some eye conditions.
One of these is PRA.
PRA, also known as progressive retinal atrophy, is a term for a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and lead to blindness.
Corneal dystrophy causes the cornea to become cloudy, which can affect vision. This can be treated with medication.
Deafness
Both huskies and blue heelers have an above-average risk of deafness.
This is typically related to the colors of their coat. Dogs with a white coat have a higher risk of hairs within the ear responsible for hearing not developing properly, which can cause deafness.
This applies to dogs with a partial white coat, as well as those who are solid white.
Deafness is typically congenital, which means it’s present from birth. These pooches may not respond to noises, including commands and their name.
Spondylosis
Spondylosis is a common problem in blue heelers, but it can also be inherited by blue heeler huskies.
This occurs when vertebrae in the spine fuse together in one or multiple locations.
The condition can cause back pain, stiffness or limited mobility, reluctance to play or exercise, and a hard time getting up from a sitting or lying down position.
Obesity
Obesity can occur in any dog, with over 50% of dogs in America being overweight or obese. However, blue heelers are at a higher than average risk of excess weight gain.
Obesity is linked to many other health concerns, including diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and early death.
To decrease the risk of obesity, feed your pooch a balanced diet in the correct proportions.
Cancer
Both parent breeds are at an increased risk of cancer, particularly tumors.
Tumors can cause abnormal lumps under the skin, weight loss or loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and increased thirst and urination (source).
Heart Conditions
The parent breeds are at risk of heart conditions as well. Some of the most common types of heart disease include mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Heart disorders can cause lethargy, difficulty breathing, coughing, paralysis, bloating or swelling of the stomach, weakness, and collapse.
It’s important to note that just because the parent breeds are more likely to get these health issues, it does not mean that they will definitely inherit them.
Blue heelers and huskies are both considered to be very healthy breeds; these are just some more common issues that can affect them.
Exercise Needs
Both parent breeds have very high exercise needs. Your husky blue heeler mix will need at least 2 hours of exercise each day, like their parent breeds.
Jogging, running, and hiking are great forms of exercise for these pooches. They may also enjoy swimming. Obstacle or agility courses and games like fetch are also great ways to keep them active.
In addition to physical exercise, these pooches need plenty of mental stimulation.
In fact, mental exercise is just as important for their health and well-being as physical activity.
This is because they are very intelligent. It’s also related to their history as working dogs.
Working dogs are bred to work, so they need a job to do. Without one, they get bored.
Their job can consist of learning tricks or commands, watching over the family, or keeping an eye on the home.
You can also give them mental exercise by teaching them new commands, playing games like hide and seek, and giving them puzzle toys.
In Summary
The husky blue heeler mix is a beautiful medium-sized pooch. They are very active and require lots of attention and exercise.
They are not ideal for new owners, because they are independent, very high energy, and difficult to train.
They do best when they have a job to do. They will be very happy on a farm, and also make great watchdogs.
Want to learn about more husky mixes? We’ve covered plenty of others:
