Lancashire Heeler
The Lancashire Heeler is a small black and tan cattle dog from the north-west of England, used to drive stock to market by nipping at the heels and to keep the farm buildings free…
About the Lancashire Heeler
The Lancashire Heeler is a small black and tan cattle dog from the north-west of England, used to drive stock to market by nipping at the heels and to keep the farm buildings free of rats. It came close to disappearing altogether, was recognised by the Royal Kennel Club in 1981, and remains on the list of vulnerable native breeds.
Dogs stand about 30 cm and bitches a little less, low and strong, with a short weatherproof coat in black and tan or liver and tan. The breed keeps a distinct terrier streak alongside the herding instinct, and many will still work vermin given the chance. A stud should be confident and outgoing, and correct in front, because a short leg must not arrive with a twisted foreleg.
Two DNA tests matter a great deal here and a serious stud owner will have both: primary lens luxation and collie eye anomaly. Add a current eye certificate, since primary glaucoma has also been recorded, and ask about patellar luxation. With so few dogs in the breed, ask what the coefficient of inbreeding would be for the mating you are planning.
Health & breeding
We check every hip, elbow, eye and DNA result you give us against the Royal Kennel Club’s public records by hand, and we record who checked it and when. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Breed Right’s summary — under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard
Health tests for the Lancashire Heeler
This panel is Breed Right’s summary of the testing that matters for the breed under The Royal Kennel Club Health Standard. The Health Standard is the Royal Kennel Club’s guidance for breeders, not a registration rule. It describes tests to ask about — it is not a report on any individual dog. The Royal Kennel Club’s public records may not include all the screening a dog has had, so a dog with no Royal Kennel Club record showing is not necessarily untested.
Good Practice — the Royal Kennel Club’s minimum before breeding
The tests the Royal Kennel Club says breeders should, at a minimum, complete before breeding.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye testing (BVA/KC/ISDS) | Screening scheme | BVA/KC/ISDS | Result printed on the eye certificate. |
Best Practice — further tests it recommends
Completing these as well as the Good Practice tests is what the Royal Kennel Club calls Best Practice.
| Test | Type | Scheme | What’s involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA test — CEA/CH (Collie Eye Anomaly / Choroidal Hypoplasia) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
| DNA test — PLL (Primary Lens Luxation) | DNA test | Laboratory | The result printed on the laboratory certificate. |
At stud now
Lancashire Heeler stud dogs
No Lancashire Heeler studs are listed right now
When a Lancashire Heeler on the Royal Kennel Club Breed Register is listed at stud, it will appear here.
Also available
Lancashire Heeler litters
No Lancashire Heeler litters are listed right now
Litters appear here as breeders list them. Check back soon, or browse other breeds.
