 The Short Answer is:
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The Red Heeler and Great Pyrenees Mix is a new hybrid breed created by crossing two working dog breeds: the Australian Cattle Red Heeler dog and the Great Pyrenees. There is no official name for them because they are a relatively new breed. |
In this research you will know the answer to the query “What Is A Red Heeler Great Pyrenees Mix?“.
A Red Heeler crossed with a Great Pyrenees dog produces what?
This combination of these two popular breeds does exist despite this sounding like the beginning of a bad joke.
If you are looking for a punch line you will get both a shepherd and a bodyguard in one.
Thats some good personality traits huh?
Because we are talking about a mix between two distinct dog breeds it can be hard to predict which traits you will get.
Any type of breeding is like a lottery after all!
To give you more of a clue I’ll give you a few headlines…
Highlights
- The Red Heeler and Great Pyrenees Mix is a new hybrid breed created by crossing two working dog breeds: the Australian Cattle Red Heeler dog and the Great Pyrenees.
- There is no official name for them because they are a relatively new breed. We will therefore name them by combining the names of the two parent breeds. They have also not received official recognition from kennel clubs.
- Despite their size they are very active and intelligent. This means they will need a lot of exercises.
- As well as being intelligent they respond well to training.
- The nature of their loyalty is very strong. They can be good with family and kids if they receive good training and early socialization.
- As guard dogs they are excellent for farms or houses.
Breed History
It is a relatively new breed of dog the Red Heeler Great Pyrenees. Their traits and features are not defined by kennel clubs since they are not recognized by them. For a better understanding of this breed we can look into the characteristics of its parents.
The Parents
Red Heeler (Australian Cattle Dog)
An Australian Cattle Dog with a red coat is called a Red Heeler distinguished from its blue counterpart the Blue Heeler.
Herding dogs like Australian Cattle Dogs are known to be one of the best breeds. In the 19th century they were bred for the purpose of herding cattle in Australia.
Due to its challenging nature the Australian Cattle breed has developed hard-working qualities such as tenacity stamina intelligence and even decision-making abilities.
Despite the fact that they are working dogs Red Heelers make great pets. They form a close bond with their owners and instinctively protect them.
They tend to be overly active which is the only problem with their temperament. Herding and chasing livestock is in their blood so if you keep them as a pet you’ll need to provide them with a lot of stimulation and exercise.
As a result they tend to become destructive as a way of releasing pent-up energy and stress.
There is a misconception that Red Heelers are more aggressive than Blue Heelers. As their names suggest the Red Heeler and Blue Heeler belong to the exact same breed (Australian Cattle Dog).
Red Heelers have a unique red coat with speckles. Heelers are named so because they tend to nip at cattles feet when they do not move as expected.
These medium-sized dogs are called Red Heelers. Australian cattle have a height of up to 20 inches in the males and 19 inches in the females. The average weight of these animals is between 15 and 22 kilograms (33 and 49 pounds).
Reddish undercoats show through their white coats giving them their distinctive appearance. They have a double coat: a white topcoat and a thick red undercoat.
The Great Pyrenees
Red Heelers are livestock herders while Great Pyrenees are livestock guardians. Their purpose was to protect livestock animals from predators in the mountains of France.
In order to guard livestock at night-time when shepherds were sleeping they are nocturnal by nature.
The dogs are very well-mannered and devoted to their families.
The Great Pyrenees are affectionate towards family members and can be good around children. Due to their nature as guard dogs they are territorial and protective so they will be suspicious of strangers and will bark excessively if not trained.
Despite not being as active as Red Heelers they need constant stimulation and playtime to avoid becoming destructive.
Its appearance resembles that of a fluffy white-coated big dog. As they grow they can reach 32 inches in height and weigh up to 115 pounds. As a result of their imposing serious stature they are often referred to as “majestic”.
Size and Life Expectancy
In spite of Red Heelers being a medium-sized breed a mix of Red Heeler and Great Pyrenees usually results in a large dog weighing 60-100 pounds.
The Pyrenees may be smaller than the average dog but it is still big enough to be considered a big dog.
Because Great Pyrenees live longer than Red Heelers their average life span ranges between 10 and 16 years depending on which gene is dominant.
Appearance
The floppy ears of a Red Heeler-Great Pyrenees are inherited from their Great Pyrenees parent rather than taking after the standing ears of the Red Heeler.
Their large stature will also be inherited from the Great Pyrenees.
Combining the short hair of a Red Heeler with the fluffy coat of Great Pyrenees results in a medium-coated pup.
Their coat is a combination of both parent breeds with a blend of the snow-white of Great Pyrenees and the red of Reed Heeler.
The amount of red streak varies depending on the percentage of the genes but they are definitely whiter than a purebred Red Heeler.
They tend to be predominantly white with a hint of red hidden behind a thick white coat.
There are red patches around their face and ears and sometimes on their bodies as well.
Personality
Red Heeler Great Pyrenees mixes are a combination of a herding dog and a guard dog so you can imagine how intelligent and hard-working they are.
They are very active and need to do something. They can become very obedient and loyal dogs when properly trained.
You should take them for a walk instead of letting them wander the streets alone. They ask to be let out a lot but you should not just let them run free.
The great Pyrenees are used to wandering around mountains so they will travel long distances by themselves. Additionally to prevent them from fleeing a five-foot fence is also necessary.
As a result of its Red Heeler gene owners might notice that their Reed Heeler Great Pyrenees mix is prone to nipping at the owners toes if they do not get what they want quickly enough.
As smart dogs they are also very stubborn so you have to be patient and consistent when training them.
They enjoy human interaction and touch. This mix is very loyal to their family. But they can also be protective and territorial. If you do not train them you’ll probably get noise complaints from the neighbors.
They will bark and become defensive towards strangers. The owners of some dogs have said that they are very brave and will protect you at all costs.
Potential Health Problems
Among the potential health issues a Red Heeler Great Pyrenees might inherit from its parents are:
Growing Bone Pains: You might experience growing pains when adopting a Red Heeler Great Pyrenees puppy. For big dogs this is a common problem as their bones grow so fast when they’re young causing discomfort and pain. It can last until they’re three or four years old.
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia: With regards to bones different growth rates can result in their bones not fitting into their joints properly. Get your pet checked as soon as possible if you notice that they are lame or uncomfortable around their joints. Surgery may be needed.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): In dogs suffering from this condition the retina slowly deteriorates resulting in gradual vision loss. They become night blind in the early stages so they will bump into objects more often than usual.
When looking to adopt a Red Heeler Great Pyrenees choose dogs with healthy parents so you can minimize any potential diseases. Find a breeder who can provide health clearance proof for both parents of the dog.
Feeding and Care
Because both Red Heelers and Great Pyrenees are work dogs it might be best to give them a flock to guard otherwise they may become aggressive.
As a result they need a lot of play to keep their bodies and minds stimulated.
The same reason makes them unsuitable for apartments. In a small space they will feel stressed and are better off in a house that has a yard or at least a ground floor where they can see the street so they do not feel enclosed. A minimum of two hours of exercise each day is required.
Feeding them requires a lot of food that contains adequate nutrients. Provide Omega 3 fatty acids and probiotics to prevent bone and joint problems. Feed them two to three times a day.
Shedding and Grooming
Both parent breeds shed so this mix breed also sheds so regular grooming is necessary.
Red Heelers also inherit the double coat from their parents which means they need both coats to protect them from harsh temperatures and bacteria.
Be sure to brush them regularly and do not shave the coat too short.
Pay special attention to their ears when cleaning because long hair tends to grow around their ears and collect a lot of dirt.
Children and Other Pets
When trained properly they make good family pets and are good with children. Naturally they are not very good with smaller pets.
However socializing them early can help solve this problem.
Many owners on the internet have reported that Red Heeler Great Pyrenees mix dogs are good with everyone.
If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.
