Are Blue Heelers Good With Kids? It Depends on These Factors (2024)

A Blue Heeler sitting with a little girl in front of spring flowers.

Blue Heelers are bred to be herding dogs and are full of energy and affection. They are easy to train and can also make great family pets.

Their high energy levels make them perfect for active families, and they get along well with children.

Proper training and socialization is key to ensuring your Blue Heeler will behave properly with your children.

Are Blue Heelers good with kids? Blue Heelers are very loyal and affectionate. They are great with most children, but they may be too intense for children under the age of two. Because they are so energetic, they do best with children who can match their activity level and provide correction if needed.

If you are considering bringing a Blue Heeler into your family, read on to find out if this breed will be a good fit.

Blue Heeler and Kids: Factors That Affect the Relationship

Blue Heelers need proper training and socialization from a young age in order to be good family pets. Here are some other factors that may affect the relationship between kids and Blue Heelers.

Age of the Dog

Dogs that are exposed to children as puppies are more likely to get along well with them when fully grown. Older dogs may not tolerate small children.

Age of the Children

Blue Heelers are very active and have a lot of energy to run and play. They can be too rambunctious for young children and may scare them or even knock them down.

They do best with children over the age of 10 who can keep up with their high energy levels.

Level and Quality of Training

Blue Heelers require proper training to become family pets. Dogs that are trained properly and from an early age are more likely to be well behaved, gentle with children, and better family pets. 

Personality of the Dog

Dogs have personalities just like people. Some dogs do better with children, and others are not likely to tolerate them as well.

It’s important to monitor your dog and children any time they are together to ensure they are getting along. 

Personality and Behavior of the Children

Children should be taught how to act around dogs and what types of behaviors are okay.

Children who are too loud, try to pick up or hold the dog in an uncomfortable way, or move around too quickly may scare the dog or make him feel anxious. 

Are Blue Heelers Good Family Dogs?

Blue Heelers do make good family dogs. They are very loyal and affectionate. They have a desire to protect their families, and they are easy to train.

A Blue Heeler giving a young girl a kiss on the face.

Blue Heeler Temperament

Blue Heelers are friendly, energetic, loyal, and obedient. They are easy to train and love pleasing their owners. They are protective and very affectionate.

They require a lot of exercise and room to run and can get bored if they do not have proper mental stimulation. They enjoy working and doing tasks that have a purpose. 

Potential Issues With Blue Heelers and Kids

While Blue Heelers are friendly and do well as family pets, they have a lot of energy and may not be suitable for families with very young children.

Their energy can be overwhelming for children, and small kids may get knocked down or stepped on.

Young children can also move erratically, which can scare Blue Heelers or make them anxious.

Due to the strong herding instinct, a Blue Heeler may feel compelled to try to herd small children, even nipping at their heels in an attempt to direct their movements.

Blue Heelers do best with older children who can keep up with them and hold their own during playtime and training.

Blue Heeler Training Tips

Blue Heelers are very smart and easy to train. If they are going to be family pets, they require proper training and socialization.

They are known to run, jump, and even play rough, and without proper training, they may be too rowdy for children.

However, with proper training, they can adjust to family life and life with children and make great pets.

Early socialization is essential for teaching Blue Heelers how to act around children. They require firm commands and boundaries to contain their high energy and make training possible.

Related Questions: 

When Do Blue Heelers Calm Down?

Blue Heelers maintain their high energy levels throughout their lives, but they do tend to calm down and learn more self-control around the age of two.

Proper training can also help keep them calm and teach them how to act in different situations.

How Do You Train a Blue Heeler Puppy Not To Bite? 

The best way to stop a Blue Heeler from biting is to correct the behavior when it occurs. When the puppy bites, say  “No” firmly and distance yourself from the puppy.

The puppy learns that biting results in negative consequences and will eventually stop doing it.

Conclusion 

Blue Heelers are friendly dogs, and while they are bred for herding and protection, they also make great pets.

Their affectionate temperaments make them great for families with children, but their high activity levels can make them overwhelming for children who are very young.

They do best in households with older children. Proper training and early socialization can help make them better family pets and improve their interactions with children.