The Blue Heeler

In the early colonisation of Australia the settlers bought English cattle and sheep and dogs, to help with the hearding of the livestock. It was the English working dogs that suffered and died from contact with the many weeds, thistles and deadly insects. In 1840 Thomas Hall successfully mated the Northumberland Blue Merle with the Australian native dog called the Dingo. Mr Hall had observed that the Dingo seemed immune to all the weeds and insects which were attacking the English working dogs, The Blue Heeler is a working dog, not a pet dog. Though well socialised, the are not suited to a residential back yard. When herding sheep or cattle the will work the animals until they are contained and settled. At that point the Blue Heeler lays down on the ground, if the animals don't move the dog continues to rest. My blip for the day is a replica of a Blue Heeler, beside a hollowed out tree trunk which could be its shelter. The blip is an improvisation as I spent the afternoon volunteering at our Visitors Centre, the Blue Heeler was first bread 7km north of where I live. Thank you for taking the time to take in a little more of our history. Hope you enjoy the weekend.