Double R Ranch
Well-known member
We've had heelers for decades. They've been great dogs. Not the best working dogs as far as help with the cows but great partners. The breeder we've always gotten our pups from passed away after our last puppies. We rescued a heeler when we lost one of our other heelers and he was destined to be put down so we took him in. This was almost 12 years ago now. He took a lot to get healthy including a surgery when he first came. Product of his upbringing sadly. He was a challenging one but had a good life here. He didn't make it possible to safely get a new pup when our oldest had passed. Sadly this guy passed suddenly a few days ago. Something that has been incredible hard for us. Now we have no dog and I for one am lost. I've been considering a kelpie puppy as our next herding dog. My thinking is get a new herding pup, get it trained up a bit then get another heeler as more of the ranch dog we are used to having. Does anyone have both heelers and kelpies? What's the true difference in them between the two breeds. I know what the breed standards are etc but I'd like to know actual experiences between them and how they differ or are the same. Especially when it comes to working cattle, sheep and goats. I could really use a hand around here. I've seen quite a few at the stock yards and all are very well behaved very attentive dogs without all the bark heelers seem to have. Seem very loyal like a heeler which is something we want. Thanks for the info and advice.
