Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Born2late on April 07, 2020, 06:02:31 PM

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Title: heeler/labs
Post by: Born2late on April 07, 2020, 06:02:31 PM

Anyone have any experience with these our know anything about them? My buddy in alaska is thinking about getting one and is looking for good breeders and info . Dog will be pet only.

Title: Re: heeler/labs
Post by: lokidog on April 07, 2020, 06:42:51 PM

I had a friend with a healer/lab, great dog, amazing eyesight, very energetic, and smart.

When I was ready to get a dog, I happened upon a healer/lab mix so bought the only female in the litter of 10. Unfortunately, looking back, I think the people were a-holes and lied when they said she was 7 weeks old. I think she was five at the most. She was very smart (I could tell her to "fetch to" about eight people that she knew by name, I could throw a ball a stick and a frisbee and tell her to get them with no pointing in any order I wanted, she knew the name of every room in the house), very energetic, and kind of a, well, female dog name that we can't post here.... She felt like she should be the boss, she was a bit mouthy, and she liked to run. She did like to hunt though and was a great retriever, so not all bad.

Have your friend make sure the breeder is decent and socializes the puppies well and has done all of the health checks and stuff on the parents as should be done with any dog purchase. However, breeders that intentionally make mutts might be kind of sketchy so buyer beware.

 :twocents:

Title: Re: heeler/labs
Post by: Born2late on April 07, 2020, 06:49:12 PM

Thanks, That is the kind  of info he was looking for.
I'll forward this to him, They were looking at a place in idaho but want to find out if there are any other options.

Title: Re: heeler/labs
Post by: Alchase on April 07, 2020, 08:07:20 PM

Heelers in general are very mouthy and can be nippy. It is what they have been bread to do for generations. They also show affection by mouthing. They can be taught not to fairly easy. My heeler has two speeds 90 mpg and asleep, and switch back and forth like flipping a switch. They do make some great mixes! A friend has a Belgian Malinois/Heeler cross, she is an amazing dog. She looks like a blue Merle Malinois, with one blue eye, LOL.
Labraheelers are popular here. And from what I understand they make great dogs. Just watch out for the Puppy Mill type breeders that just pump them out for prophet.

Title: Re: heeler/labs
Post by: lokidog on April 07, 2020, 08:23:13 PM

Agree with the heeler comments. My mutt was able to shut it off in the house, more lab-like. My friend's was not mouthy, much more like a really smart lab.

As witchy as mine was, if I ran her two miles after work, she was like a different dog, they do need lots of exercise.