Lancashire Heeler
蘭開夏跟趾犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Lancashire Heeler is a small, black-and-tan (or liver-and-tan) cattle-heeling dog from the Ormskirk area of west Lancashire, probably descended from Welsh Corgis that drove stock to market crossed with the Manchester Terrier, and famous for the 'Heeler smile'. The FCI standard says it works cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting, and is courageous, happy and affectionate to its owner; the parent club calls it a power chewer that barks, must have a job and needs constant socialisation. Placed on the Kennel Club's vulnerable-breeds list in 2003, it carries primary lens luxation, for which parents and puppies should be eye-tested.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 25–30cm |
| Weight | 4.1–7.7kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: herding FCI: 1 |
| Role | Herding |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Glaucoma
Primary lens luxation, an inherited eye disease, was found in the breed in 2006; the AKC says aggressive action by breeders has reduced its incidence and that parents and puppies should be eye-tested, and the parent club requires a PLL DNA test for its CHIC certificate. Ask your breeder for PLL results and your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Collie eye anomaly
A DNA test for collie eye anomaly is one of the three screenings the parent club requires for its CHIC certificate. Ask your breeder about CEA testing.
Patellar luxation
A veterinary patella evaluation is one of the three screenings the parent club requires for its CHIC certificate. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Behaviour
Cattle dog with a terrier streak
The FCI standard says the Lancashire Heeler works cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting, and is courageous, happy and affectionate to its owner. The AKC describes a small, powerful, sturdily built, alert and energetic worker with the unique "Heeler smile" — drawing back the lips when content in a way that resembles a human smile — and rates it 5/5 with children and other dogs, 4/5 for energy, trainability and barking.
Must have a job; barks; chews
The parent club says the Heeler is extremely affectionate to its family but can be wary of strangers, needs constant socialisation and training, and must have a job — whether a couple of walks a day, ball games or dog sports; it is a power chewer and barks frequently, so both need active management. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at up to an hour a day.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "intelligent / versatile / affectionate".
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Lancashire Heeler
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Lancashire Heeler (Herding Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Lancashire Heeler
Breed characteristics (size small, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 12 years).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Lancashire Heeler (standard no. 360, group 1)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The United States Lancashire Heeler Club advises prospective owners to allow 60–90 days of research and to talk to the club before buying, to choose a committed breeder who DNA-tests for PLL and CEA and has patellas graded, and to expect a power chewer that barks, needs a job every day and weekly brushing with seasonal coat changes.”
— United States Lancashire Heeler Club via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Lancashire Heeler — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Lancashire Heeler — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Lancashire Heeler — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Lancashire Heeler — FCI standard no. 360 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Breed Health — United States Lancashire Heeler Club — United States Lancashire Heeler Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [8]FCI-Standard No. 360 — Lancashire Heeler — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [9]United States Lancashire Heeler Club — home page — United States Lancashire Heeler Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.