heelers
Dogs or sycophants
Heelers are dogs bred to herd livestock by nipping at their heels, driving animals forward—most famously the Australian cattle dog, also called a blue heeler or red heeler depending on coat color.
In American politics, a heeler is a local party worker who does the bidding of a boss, running errands and drumming up votes: ward heelers turned out the faithful on election day.
Domesticated bovines kept commercially
- nippingBiting lightly, sharply
- drivingControlling a vehicle
- musteringGathering or summoning
- roundupOrganized gathering of scattered things
drovers · stockman · livestock · corral · pen · ranch · paddock · outback
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- partyGathering for celebration
- machinePower-driven working device
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
- votesFormal choices recorded
patronage · Tammany · boss · operative · grassroots · campaigning · polling place · turnout
Firm in allegiance
- protectiveServing to guard
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- intelligentHaving mental acuity
- energeticHaving much vigor
stubborn · tenacious · driven · bonded · wary · watchful · devoted · hardworking
Authoritative orders given
down · recall · leash · handler · correction · positive reinforcement · clicker · cue
Of or like dogs
litter · whelp · registration · bloodline · standard · conformation · markings · coat
cattle
Domesticated bovines kept commercially
roundup · drovers · stockman · livestock · corral · pen · ranch · paddock · outback · station
precinct
Administrative jurisdiction zone
- partyGathering for celebration
- machinePower-driven working device
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
votes · patronage · Tammany · boss · operative · grassroots · campaigning · polling place · turnout · ballot
loyal
Firm in allegiance
- protectiveServing to guard
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- intelligentHaving mental acuity
energetic · stubborn · tenacious · driven · bonded · wary · watchful · devoted · hardworking · independent
commands
Authoritative orders given
come · down · recall · leash · handler · correction · positive reinforcement · clicker · cue · focus
canine
Of or like dogs
breeder · litter · whelp · registration · bloodline · standard · conformation · markings · coat · speckled
obstacle
Something blocking the way
A-frame · teeter · dogwalk · tire · speed · timing · handler · competition · trial · title
heelersmavericks
Unorthodox, independent-minded people
reformers · independents · freethinkers · free agents · dissidents
heelersbosses
Managers or raised studs
party bosses · kingmakers · power brokers · chieftains · kingpins
- well heeledHaving substantial money
- heeled bootsFootwear with elevated soles
- blue heelerAustralian herding breed
- ward heelerLow-level political operative
- heeled overTilted sideways, nautically