questions on the heeler breed

just a few questions about the blue heeler, my new pup is 10 weeks old. i dont plan to breed him, what is the best age to fix him? i want him to stay stocky and i also want his coat to keep its current colors. i know with certain animals such as horses that fixing them (or gelding them in the case of the horse) has a great effect on there stature as an adult. i dont want to fix him to early because i love the heeler confirmation. but in the same respect i dont want to wait to long in an effort to reduce his aggregation with other dogs. he isnt really all that aggressive but he can play a little rougher than i would like. for instance he is 10 weeks old and he puts my 10 year old dobe in his place. granted my dobe is a total sweetheart and a big pushover but my heeler needs to be a little more respectful. also when playing with either my other dogs or with me he is very very energetic and can be a little nippie, but while playing i pick him up and hug him he is a total lover and will lick your cheek and doesnt show a single sign of nipping. set him down and its back to rough play. im assuming this is all normal. any thoughts or advice is appreciated.

Personally I don't think you should fix an animal till its done growing unless their are problems. Cattle dogs tend to be a bit sharp so fixing may have no effect on 'aggression'.

Solo won't be bred and he will likely be fixed just after a year.

Heelers are sharp, pushy little bastards; fixing him earlier won't do anything in that regards. I'd wait until about 2 if possible and just work on teaching him proper playing methods.

Just to add ... his coat color may very possibly lighten or darken as he matures, whether he's intact or not! I agree with the others ... no matter the breed, they need to be fully mature before being neutered, so you don't need to rush out and do it any time soon.

Agree with the other.

Just want to add though. Get your puppy out lots! Play dates with other dogs etc. All of this is very important. It is too common to say that ACD's/heelers are just "sharp" and not good with other dog or people. The dog should be well socialized enough that other dogs and people aren't a worry to him.

His coat color will probably change as he ages, but it has nothing to do with him being neutered or not. Depending on where you got your ACD he may or may not be very stocky as he ages. There are lots of variations in cattle dogs in heaviness of bone. I have one girl I would consider moderate, one average, and my male (so far) carries a heavier bone. He may mature to be more towards moderate, but I won't know until he's grown.

Good luck, and we want pics!!!!

ya sharp doesn't mean just go with it... lots of socialization Are you going to do puppy classes? But they aren't soft dogs no matter how much socializing they get.

Don't forget that a breeding can take place in less than 10 minutes. If you own an intact male you are just as responsible as someone who lets their bitch in season out without supervision. Keeping him intact until maturity is fine, just remember there is responsibility that comes with it

wow lots of response, well where to start. as far as him being stocky he looks like a little monster lol. his paws are huge and his legs are way thicker than any other 10 week old pup i have ever seen. i just wanted to know if hes going to continue with that or thin out if hes fixed to soon. as for classes i have to check with a few places local to us to see when the next ones start and he will surely be going. describing him as a pushly little b@st@d was dead on, but to be honest i like it, hes a handfull and its fun keeping after him.

we have 4 other dogs so play dates are no problem. he has worn out my poor dobe. my dobe byron loves to play like a puppy and rarely finds another adult dog that plays like that. well the new acd blitz is obviously a puppy and plays as such. that being said they have been playing like puppies do for 3 days now. currently my dobe (hes 10 years old) is laying on his side on my living room floor and blitz is bouncing on my his tummy like hes a trampoline.

im sure the words "play with me darn you!" are running through blitz's head

pics can be seen here

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t112516/#post1556490

My 10 yr old Collie is dealing with a 4 month old terrier at the moment - he sends his condolences to Byron.

Even though you've got dogs at home, it is important that he socialize with strange dogs and people. He should be a fun one in training classes - these guys usually catch on quick!

Edit - just saw his pics. He is a chunky monkey, isn't he??

i wouldnt say chunky monkey because he is by no means fat but he is just really thick and for such a little guy he is very strong!

as for catching on he is sooooo smart. he comes to his name as soon as its said, he completely understands he has to go outside to go to the bathroom. he held it for 8 hours on the ride home from where we got him even though we stopped several times to let him go. we were home 10 minutes, i walked him and asked him to go and he did.

he already listens to the sit command and is very close to having stay mastered. now im not saying he hasnt had the occasional accident because he has but for the most part he is amazingly bright

i think with the advice givin we will wait till he is around 2 before we fix him. as far as breeding goes all of our females are fixed and when he is only outside with either myself or joce and the other dogs he will be around are fixed. although accidents can occur we will make an effort to avoid them

Personally, I like waiting until my dogs are fully grown before neutering. Both of my boys (Tucker, chihuahua, 13 months old) and Rory (Border Collie, 11 months old) will be at least 18 months old before they become members of the pancake club.

Sorry, that's what I call all thick puppies (like ACDs, APBTs, etc.). It wasn't meant to indicate his condition.

Ditto :hail: