Lancashire Heeler
A small, sturdy cattle heeler with terrier spirit: alert, affectionate and much busier than its size suggests.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 28–31 cm · Females 25–28 cm
- Weight
- 3–6 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Black and tan, Liver, Tan
- Bred for
- Herding, Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 360 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small dog with a working mind
- enjoy training or dog sports
- have a smaller home but time for walks
Think twice if you …
- keep small pets like rodents
- need a quiet dog
- want a dog that ignores visitors
Care
Temperament
Alert, friendly with its family and playful. It can be wary of strangers and quick to bark. Its heeling and ratting instincts are still strong.
Exercise
Needs around an hour a day of walks and games. It enjoys agility, scent work, rally and trick training.
Grooming
The short, weatherproof coat needs only a weekly brush. Shedding is moderate and seasonal.
Training
Bright and quick to learn, with a slight terrier stubbornness. Use rewards, keep it fun and address heel-nipping early.
Health
Eye conditions such as primary lens luxation, collie eye anomaly and persistent pupillary membranes are the main concerns, with occasional patellar luxation. Ask the breeder for the parents' eye results and DNA tests.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
DNA tests
- PLL
- CEA
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Lancashire Heeler comes from north-west England, where small heelers drove cattle to market and kept farms clear of rats. The breed was revived and standardised from the 1960s onward. It is still rare and listed by The Kennel Club in Britain as a vulnerable native breed.
It is a cheerful, affectionate dog that likes to be involved and can be vocal. Small but tough, it has a real working drive and may nip at heels or chase small animals. It adapts well to smaller homes if it gets regular walks, play and training.
Did you know?
Many Lancashire Heelers 'smile', pulling back their lips when happy or excited.