Small, highly effective, and bred to work, the Lancashire Heeler is a uncommon canine. The breed has been on the UK’s Kennel Membership endangered record since 2003. However, because of its comfortable, affectionate nature, ‘chatty character’ and trainable angle, the Lancashire Heeler is a superb household companion.

Initially bred to hunt rats, the Lancashire Heeler has an amazing work ethic, and its smaller measurement makes it a flexible canine that may adapt to many conditions. We take a deeper take a look at this uncommon breed and discover simply why, for the proper household, they will make the best pet.

Historical past of the Lancashire Heeler

Also referred to as the ‘Ormskirk Terrier’, ‘Lancashire Terrier’, and ‘Ormskirk Heeler’, the Lancashire Heeler is a little bit of a thriller maybe, which is a part of its enchantment. The breed dates again to the northwest of England within the seventeenth century and will be traced again to 2 different breeds, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Manchester Terrier. Different breeds, together with the Dachshund, are additionally regarded as an affect.

The Lancashire Heeler was initially bred in Nice Britain to drive cattle to market as they had been sufficiently small to nip on the heels of cattle and sheep to maneuver them alongside. And their diminutive but stocky measurement meant they had been agile sufficient to maintain protected from stray hooves or toes!

In addition to being ‘heelers’, the breed was famend as a ratter, serving to to handle vermin and rabbit populations on the farm.

The flexibility of this feisty little canine meant in addition they turned common additional afield, with the breed gaining floor in Australia, Europe, and the States. Nevertheless it was as a companion canine that the trendy Lancashire Heeler as got here into its personal.

With the Lancashire Heeler Membership shaped in 1978, the canine was acknowledged as an official breed by the UK Kennel Membership in 1981t. The United Kennel Membership and the American Kennel Membership (AKC) finally acknowledged the breed as a part of its Herding Group in 2009. Regardless of all this recognition, the Lancashire Heeler breed has skilled a downturn lately and has been formally acknowledged as a uncommon canine breed – it’s presently on the endangered breeds record – with what’s regarded as lower than 5,000 Lancashire Heelers worldwide at present.

Important Breed Details



Small in stature, the Lancashire Heeler is actually not small in presence or character. Maxing out at 12 inches to the shoulder as an grownup, the Heeler will be anticipated to weigh between 9 and 17 kilos. He additionally has an excellent life expectancy of 12 – 15 years.

Listed here are a couple of different important breed info concerning the lovable Lancashire Heeler.

• The Heeler is a great breed, and that may imply mischief! They’re at all times on the go and famend as escape artists, so you should guarantee your yard is safe!
• The Heeler smile – the Lancashire Heeler additionally has a novel attribute of being a smiler, because of its distinct capacity to attract again their lips when comfortable or content material, to create what appears to be like like a super-cute smirk.
• The Lancashire Heeler has a brief, sturdy weatherproof coat that’s comparatively low-shedding and straightforward to keep up.
• This breed can also be a multi-tasker – the Lancashire Heeler is famend as a present canine, agility star, obedience competitor, and a whizz at herding trials.
• Whereas the Lancashire Heeler is taken into account an excellent companion for different canines, they’ve the terrier instincts to hunt and drive livestock, so they aren’t a good selection when you have cats or different small animals.

Key Traits of the Lancashire Heeler

Brief and stocky, the Lancashire Heeler has an enormous character inside his little physique. Listed here are the important thing traits you’ll want to learn about this loveable breed.

Look

The Lancashire Heeler intently resembles its cousin, the Welsh Corgi however has a definite black and tan terrier colorway which is a nod to its Manchester Terrier genes. His weather-resistant coat is thick and tender and may also be present in liver and tan. Non-recognized colours additionally embody brindle, tricolor, and sable.

An grownup Heeler grows as much as 12 inches to the shoulder and might seem as vast as they’re tall! Their stocky construct means it is a robust little canine, with quick but quick legs and a sturdy tail with a slight curve over their physique. He additionally has alert, pointed ears and clever, almond-shaped eyes.

Temperament

In terms of the Lancashire Heeler temperament, the very first thing to notice is that they’re good cookies that study quick. However the draw back to all that smaller canine intelligence is that they may also be susceptible to stubbornness and mischief. In addition they have loyal and courageous personalities and can bond with their human, though they are often cautious of strangers. And this breed isn’t any stranger to barking, so you’ll want to be ready to have a chatty pooch in your arms.

With a typically pleasant and comfortable disposition, the Lancashire Heeler makes an excellent household canine, though as they’re susceptible to herd, together with nipping at heels, they’re greatest suited to older and extra assured kids.

In addition they like to preserve you in your toes and are recognized to be proficient escape artists, so a safe yard with loads of area to play and run is a should. In terms of different pets, they will dwell fortunately with canines and tolerate cats, though they could have an in-built tendency to herd them.

How one can Look after Your Lancashire Heeler

As robust working canines breed constructed for out of doors life, Lancashire Heelers are comparatively low upkeep. Nonetheless, there are some necessities you’ll want to know if you’re seeking to welcome considered one of these energetic canines into your house.

Coaching

A fast learner, the clever Lancashire Heeler may have a cussed thoughts, so a constant strategy is required with regards to coaching. Agency, form, and optimistic coaching is the way in which to go, because the Lancashire Heeler reply properly to rewards and likes to please their human.

And, as they’re a tad unbiased of considering, early coaching and socialization is a should for this breed. However the payoff is price it, because the Lancashire Heeler may excel at canine sports activities, together with agility and obedience.

Train

The Lancashire Heeler is an enthusiastic little chap who loves train and playtime. However in addition they want loads of psychological stimulation of their video games and interactions. Each day train might help preserve that Heeler exuberance in verify and preserve him bodily match. Add in loads of play, together with fetch, frisbee, and catch, even swimming, for further psychological stimulation, and also you’ll have a contented Lancashire Heeler in your arms.

Feeding

As a medium to high-energy canine, the Lancashire Heeler wants high-quality pet food that’s calorie-appropriate for his or her age and exercise ranges. With their stocky physique form, the Heeler will be susceptible to weight acquire, so that you additionally have to be conscious of extra treats.

A pet food fed at common meals with an excellent protein supply is life-stage applicable and offers all of the vitamins, nutritional vitamins, and minerals your Lancashire Heeler wants is right. And don’t neglect they want entry to loads of recent, clear water.

Grooming

As a hardy working canine, the Lancashire Heeler has the coat to match. Their flat, quick, virtually laborious coat can also be dense and waterproof, which suggests low upkeep. He’ll shed his coat when the seasons change, but it surely isn’t extreme. And in-between, you solely have to groom his coat with a agency bristle brush a few times per week. And when he does get mucky, the occasional tub will get his shiny coat again to its greatest.

Trimming their nails is crucial for the Lancashire Heeler to stop overgrowth, cracking, or splitting. And their ears want a daily verify, as they are often susceptible to wax build-up.

Well being

The Lancashire Heeler is a typically wholesome breed and has a lifespan that may take them to fifteen or extra. Nonetheless, like different pure canine breeds, there are a couple of well being points and inherited illnesses that may have an effect on this Lancashire canine and that you’ll want to look out for.

• Major lens luxation (PLL): This inherited eye illness was found within the Lancashire Heeler breed in 2006. And whereas remedial motion by breeders since, in addition to veterinary analysis, has decreased the incidence of PPL, it may possibly nonetheless happen. PPL causes the attention’s lens to grow to be free and might finally displace, inflicting irritation and ache. Left untreated, it may possibly grow to be glaucoma and even blindness. When shopping for a Lancashire Heeler pet, you’re strongly suggested to make sure the pups and their mother and father have been eye examined for this well being situation.
• Collie eye anomaly: Also referred to as Collie Eye Defect, this inherited well being situation sees mutation within the eyes, resulting in underdevelopment within the retina’s blood vessels. It could possibly, in time, additionally end in a indifferent retina.
• Cataracts: Lancashire Heelers may also be susceptible to cataracts, the place the lens turns into cloudy as a result of adjustments within the water stability or proteins throughout the lens. Cataracts can impair imaginative and prescient and finally end in blindness.
• Patella luxation: In addition to situations that may have an effect on the Lancashire Heeler’s eyes, the breed may also be susceptible to joint points, notably patella luxation. This congenital situation sees the patella, or kneecap, dislocate misplaced within the knee joint. This ends in an lack of ability to increase the leg, inflicting an odd skipping gait. The situation is without doubt one of the commonest causes of lameness in canines.

Welcoming a Lancashire Heeler Into Your House

As a uncommon breed, proudly owning a Lancashire Heeler is an efficient approach to preserve the breed alive and lift consciousness of this attractive, clever, and enjoyable canine. However this additionally means it’s uncommon to discover a Lancashire Heeler rescue. However that doesn’t imply it’s not possible, otherwise you might be able to discover a Lancashire Heeler combine breed to undertake.

In case you are in search of a Lancashire Heeler pup, purchase from a breeder acknowledged by the American Kennel Membership (AKC) or the Lancashire Heeler Membership. Count on to pay between $1,000 and $1,500 on your new Lancashire Heeler pet. And don’t neglect to consider the price for the primary yr of your new pup’s life, together with meals, tools, insurance coverage, vaccinations, and important vet care.

The Backside Line – Is the Lancashire Heeler the Proper Canine for You?

As a uncommon breed, the Lancashire Heeler could be a problem to search out, however is well worth the effort if you need an enormous, enjoyable canine in slightly canine’s physique! Sturdy and with a powerful work ethic, this intelligent breed likes to play and is loving and constant to his household. They might be a barker and cautious of unknown faces, however for an energetic household with older kids, the Lancashire Heeler is a good canine to have by your aspect.

FAQs:

Q: What breeds make a Lancashire Heeler?

A: The origins of the Lancashire Heeler nonetheless appear shrouded in thriller, and little definitive is thought. However it’s thought that the breed outcomes from a cross between the Welsh Corgi and the Manchester Terrier, with a couple of different breeds, together with the Dachshund, probably thrown in for good measure.

What number of Lancashire Heelers are there?

A: The American Kennel Membership has categorized the Lancashire Heeler as a uncommon breed, and it’s thought there are solely round 5,000 on the planet. Within the US alone, there are an estimated 250 Lancashire Heelers in possession. The breed was placed on the Endangered Breeds record in 2003.

Q: Are Lancashire Heelers good?

A: Sure, the Heeler has a wise mind and a switched-on character. Nonetheless, whereas this makes the breed each participating and trainable, they’ve a stubbornness that may trigger mischief. Constant coaching treats and loads of video games and train, even canine sports activities, will assist to maintain the Lancashire Heeler mind centered and a contented, enjoyable member of your loved ones.