How long does a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 10–13 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Blue Heeler (12–16 years).

Is a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very low to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix

A German Shepherd Blue Heeler mix is a cross between a German Shepherd and a Blue Heeler. Most grow into large dogs of 40–70 lb and live 10–13 years.

German Shepherd, a purebred dog — German ShepherdPhoto: Erick Drumss Hernández, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Blue Heeler, a purebred dog — Blue HeelerPhoto: Zingpix, CC BY 3.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight40–70 lbcan be 35–90 lb

Height20–23 inat the shoulder

Lifespan10–13 years

SizeLarge

How big does a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix get?

German Shepherd50–90 lb

The mix40–70 lb

Blue Heeler35–50 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 20–23 inches at the shoulder, against 22–26 in for the German Shepherd and 17–20 in for the Blue Heeler.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

High

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

Moderate to very high

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very low to very high

The German Shepherd rates very high and the Blue Heeler very low; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low

A weekly brush and the odd bath keep the coat in shape.

Temperament

The German Shepherd is usually described as confident, courageous, smart. The Blue Heeler as alert, curious, pleasant. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

German Shepherd vs Blue Heeler vs the mix

Trait	German Shepherd	German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix	Blue Heeler
Weight	50–90 lb	40–70 lb	35–50 lb
Height	22–26 in	20–23 in	17–20 in
Lifespan	7–10 yr	10–13 yr	12–16 yr
Shedding	high	high	high
Energy	moderate	moderate to very high	very high
Group	Herding	mixed	Herding

Questions about the German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix

How big does a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix get?: Most grow to 40–70 pounds and 20–23 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 35–90 pounds.
How long does a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 10–13 years, the midpoint of the German Shepherd (7–10 years) and the Blue Heeler (12–16 years).
Does a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix shed?: Shedding is high. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a German Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very low to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other German Shepherd mixes

Other Blue Heeler mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.