Lancashire Heeler

Dog breed

Lancashire Heeler

A Lancashire Heeler at a dog show.

Other names| Ormskirk Heeler
Ormskirk Terrier
Origin| England
| Kennel club standards

The Kennel Club|  standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale|  standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Lancashire Heeler is a small breed of dog developed for use as a drover and herder of cattle. The Lancashire Heeler is listed by the Kennel Club (UK) as an endangered breed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2024.[1]

## Description

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The dog's coat is harsh and smooth with an undercoat which keeps the dog dry in all weathers. It may have a slight mane around the neck in winter. The dog is usually black and tan,[2] but liver and tan is also recognised by the Kennel Club. They are slightly longer than height at withers, usually measures between 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) at the shoulder and weighs 13–18 pounds (5.9–8.2 kg).[2]

In terms of personality, the breed standard used by the American Kennel Club describes them as "courageous, happy," and "affectionate to owner".[1] When happy, Lancashire Heelers may part their lips to mimic a human smile.[3]

## Health

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A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 15.4 years —the highest in the study— for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.[4]

The three most common serious conditions that can affect Heelers are Collie eye anomaly, primary lens luxation and persistent pupillary membranes.[5] As well as these eye conditions, dogs of this breed may suffer from Patella luxation.[6] The Lancashire Heeler is one of the more commonly affected breeds for primary lens luxation which is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation of the ADAMTS17 gene.[7]

## History

[edit]

The Welsh Corgi is thought to be one of the parent breeds of the Lancashire Heeler.

It is generally accepted that the Lancashire Heeler is descended from the Welsh Corgi and the Manchester Terrier in England.[2][8] The breed has been known in its home county for over one hundred and fifty years as a general-purpose farm dog, capable of both ratting and herding cattle.[8]

Gwen Mackintosh began to breed Heelers in the early 1960s. Together with other enthusiasts, she established the Lancashire Heeler Club in 1978, with the club setting a breed standard and register. Recognition by The Kennel Club followed in 1981. Mackintosh would continue to serve as the club's president until her death in 1992.[8]

The breed was recognised as a vulnerable native breed by The Kennel Club in 2006, meaning that annual registration figures are 300 or fewer for the breed.[9] In 2006, 173 Heelers were registered in the UK; by 2007, this number had further decreased to 146.[10] In 2016, the FCI added the breed to the list of provisionally accepted breeds.[11] The Lancashire Heeler was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2024,[1] and made its first appearance at the AKC's National Dog Show that year.[3]

## References

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1. ^ a b c Peltz, Jennifer (3 January 2024). "Meet the newest breed to join the American Kennel Club, a little dog with a big smile". Associated Press. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
2. ^ a b c Cunliffe, Juliette (2002). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Bath: Paragon. p. 231.
3. ^ a b Treisman, Rachel (27 November 2024). "The National Dog Show explained: How a dog contest became a Thanksgiving tradition". NPR.
4. ^ McMillan, Kirsten M.; Bielby, Jon; Williams, Carys L.; Upjohn, Melissa M.; Casey, Rachel A.; Christley, Robert M. (1 February 2024). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Scientific Reports. 14 (1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10834484.
5. ^ "Health of the Lancashire Heeler". The United States Lancashire Heeler Club. Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
6. ^ "Health of the Lancashire Heeler". Lancashire Heeler Community. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
7. ^ Oliver, James A.C.; Mellersh, Cathryn S. (2020). "Genetics". In Cooper, Barbara; Mullineaux, Elizabeth; Turner, Lynn (eds.). BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing (Sixth ed.). British Small Animal Veterinary Association. p. 131\. ISBN 978-1-910-44339-2.
8. ^ a b c Cutler, Jackie (July 2007). "Lancashire Heeler Breed Feature". Dogs Monthly. The Lancashire Heeler Community. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
9. ^ "An Introduction to the Vulnerable Native Breeds". The Kennel Club. 20 December 2006. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
10. ^ "Registration statistics for all recognised dog breeds - 2006 and 2007". The Kennel Club. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
11. ^ Breeds recognised on a provisional basis. Federation Cynologique Internationale.

## External links

[edit]

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Herding and droving dogs

* Armant
* Australian Cattle Dog
* Australian Kelpie
* Australian Shepherd
* Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
* Basque Shepherd Dog
* Bearded Collie
* Beauceron
* Belgian Shepherd
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* Berger Picard
* Blue Lacy
* Bohemian Shepherd
* Border Collie
* Bouvier des Ardennes
* Bouvier des Flandres
* Briard
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* Cardigan Welsh Corgi
* Carea Castellano Manchego
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* Finnish Lapphund
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* Garafian Shepherd
* Gaucho sheepdog
* German Shepherd
* Huntaway
* Icelandic Sheepdog
* King Shepherd
* Koolie
* Lancashire Heeler
* Lapponian Herder
* Magellan sheep dog
* McNab dog
* Miniature American Shepherd
* Mudi
* Nenets Herding Laika
* New Zealand Heading Dog
* Norwegian Buhund
* Old English Sheepdog
* Old German Herding Dogs (Altdeutsche)
* Pastore della Lessinia e del Lagorai
* Pembroke Welsh Corgi
* Polish Lowland Sheepdog
* Portuguese Sheepdog
* Puli
* Pumi
* Pyrenean Sheepdog
* Sardinian Shepherd Dog
* Schapendoes
* Schipperke
* Shetland Sheepdog
* Small Međimurje Dog
* Smithfield
* Spanish Water Dog
* Swedish Lapphund
* Swedish Vallhund
* Tibetan Terrier
* Welsh Sheepdog
* White Shepherd
* White Swiss Shepherd Dog

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Dogs originating in the United Kingdom

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Terriers|

| Working
breeds|

* Airedale Terrier
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|

Toy breeds|

* English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
* Yorkshire Terrier

Bull types|

* Bull and terrier
* Bull Terrier
* Miniature Bull Terrier
* Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Herding dogs|

* Bearded Collie
* Border Collie
* Cardigan Welsh Corgi
* Lancashire Heeler
* Old English Sheepdog
* Pembroke Welsh Corgi
* Rough Collie
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Other|

* Bulldog
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* Northern Inuit Dog

Extinct|

* Black and Tan Terrier
* Blue Paul Terrier
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* Welsh Hillman

Types: Collies, Fell Terriers, Fox Terriers, longdogs and lurchers
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