Lancashire Heeler – Dog Breed Information

Posted on Mar 17, 2019, Modified : Sep 5, 2019 Zina

Breeds

Country of Origin	England
Nicknames and Other Names	Ormskirk Terrier Ormskirk Heeler
Scientific Name	Canis lupus familiaris
Breed Type	Purebred
Group	Herding Group
Bred For	Herding cattle
Size	Small-sized
Recognized By	AKC, FCI, UKC
Life Span	12-15 years
Ideal Weight	9-17 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height	10-12 inches (male and female)
Fur Type	Harsh and smooth, weather-resistant
Common Colors	Black and Tan Liver and Tan
Markings	None
Availability	Rarely available
Achievements	None
Suitable for Apartments	Yes
Used in World War	No
Most Similar To	Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Lancashire Heeler is a small-sized dog breed from Great Britain which was used for herding livestock. Despite their small size, they are a very active and lively dog who makes a great family pet. While they like to be engaged in work mostly and want to be involved in family activities, they also like to sit with their family and rest at the end of the day.

Lancashire Heeler is small and strongly built. They are slightly longer than are tall. The head is proportionate with the body and the eyes are round and bright which is set far apart. The nose is either black or brown that varies with the color of the coat. The ears are erect when they are alert.

Origin and History

Lancashire Heeler was originated in the 17th century and their place of origin is still unknown. This breed is believed to breed with the cross of Welsh Corgi and Manchester Terrier. Lancashire Heeler was used for herding and driving livestock to the market and at home, they are used for catching rats and mice. Besides being a working dog, this breed was widely popular as a great family companion.

Lancashire Heeler was recognized by United Kennel Club in 1981. The American Kennel Club has kept this breed on the Foundation Stock Service since 2001.

Is Lancashire Heeler Child-Friendly?

Lancashire Heeler is a child-friendly dog which is very affectionate and loving towards them. They make a great playmate for children as they are playful and active. However, as a herding dog, they sometimes have a tendency to herd so small children should be supervised.

Lancashire Heeler is child friendly — Image Source: instagram-@arenita_kennel

Temperament, Behavior and Personalty

Temperament: The temperament of Lancashire Heeler is affectionate and intelligent. They are a loyal and fearless breed that do not get afraid to face much bigger dogs than him. Lancashire Heeler does fairly well with other cats and dogs if socialized and raised together. However, they are wary of strangers, so makes a good watchdogs.

Behavior: Lancashire Heeler were originally bred as herding and ratter dog so they have a high herding instinct. If there is small pets and toddlers, they might tend to chase them around. They form a strong bond with the family and if left alone they might face depression and separation anxiety.

Personality: The personality of the Lancashire Heeler is alert. They are suitable for a family pet and are great watchdog who aware of its owner if they sense any suspicious activities going on in the surrounding.

About Lancashire Heeler

Trainability

Lancashire Heeler is an intelligent breed but they are very stubborn which make training hard for a novice owner. However, an experienced owner with firm leadership, patience, and consistency can handle this breed well. Reward them with treats and vocal praises after they complete a given task. Be gentle with them and do not use harsh language and rough hand. This might scare them and they will not be able to concentrate any further.

Facts

According to American Kennel Club, the Lancashire Heeler is a rare breed with only around 5000 in number all around the world.
The Lancashire Heeler is also known as Ormskirk Terrier.
The average life span of Lancashire Heeler is between 12-15 years.

Health Issues

General Health	Healthy
Common Health Issues	Cataracts, Patellar Luxation, Persistent Pupillary Membranes, Reverse Sneezing, Collapsed Trachea
Hypoallergenic	No
Vaccination Required	Rabies, Canine Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus
Shedding	Moderate Shedder
Drooling	Low Drooler
Grooming	Easy and Minimal Grooming Required
Weight Gain Potential	Average to High
Separation Anxiety	Moderate Chance
Allergies	None
Diets and Supplements	Protein: 29% Fat: 12% Glucosamine Multivitamins Fish Oil

The Lancashire Heeler is generally a healthy breed that might suffer from some genetic health condition. Some other canine health problems they might suffer during their lifetime are as below:

Patellar Luxation: It is a common problem seen both in large and small dogs. It is the condition where the kneecaps usually move from its original location causing discomforts and lameness.
Lens Luxation: Lens luxation is the dislocation of the eyes lens that moves either in the front or at the back. The cause of this disease is mainly because of heredity. The symptoms are redness of eyes in the beginning and slowly weakness is seen in the dog.
Cataracts