Australian Cattle Dogs and Blue Heelers are the same thing. 'Australian Cattle Dog' is it's official name, but we (In Australia) often call them blue or red heelers for the colour of their coat and their ability to 'heel' cattle. There are however 2 breeds of Bluey (we shorten everything in Aus, it's got a nickname for the nickname). One is the Australian Cattle Dog and the other is the Australian Stumpy-Tailed Cattle Dog. They look pretty much the same, except for the obvious; one has a short tail.
They are in fact the same breed--just different names. You may also hear them called a blue heeler or red heeler depending on their color.
Australian Cattle Dog, Queensland heeler, red Heeler, Blue heeler,
A red Heeler is just a red Heeler it isn't mixed with anything. Australian Cattle Dogs aka Heelers come in two different colors red and blue.
Zip is an Australian Cattle Dog, also known as an ACD, Blue Heeler, or Queensland Heeler. There is no difference between a Blue Heeler, Queensland Heeler or Red heeler. The correct breed name is Australian Cattle Dog. The dogs are a combination of several breeds including Kelpie which is more dominant in the blue merle coats and Dingo (more dominant in the red). The breed also contains Dalmation.
the color
The only difference is the colour of the external shell.
Australian Cattle Dogs can also be called Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler (dogs showing the 'bluish'gray and black coloring), and Red Heeler (reddish colored dogs.) Stumpy tailed versions are sometimes referred to as Smithfield Cattle dogs, but in fact the Smithfield heeler is another breed again, with a different shaped body.
Simple one is a black-red star and the other is black-blue star. The only difference is the color.
Wall thickness
A cattle dog usually refers to the blue heeler, red heeler and Queensland heeler. It has been specially bred for Australian conditions, for rounding up cattle and helping with mustering. Because it is bred to be a "heeler", it nips at the feet of the cattle to round them up, and so a cattle dog, or blue heeler, that is a family dog often develops the tendency to nip at people's feet to try to round up its "pack". It is not an ideal family dog unless there is both a large backyard and opportunity for it to get plenty of exercise. The blue heeler quickly becomes bored, as it is bred to work.
There really is no difference. Maybe different brands made them. But Land-o-Lakes does make both blue and red caps...
All dogs appreciate affection. If you own a red heeler, you should pat it - but not when it's eating.