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Hound Handbook
Breed profile

Lancashire Heeler

A tiny cattle-droving dog from Lancashire: bright, busy and long-lived, with a heeler's urge to nip ankles.

Weight
4–8 kg9–18 lb
Height
25–30 cm10–12 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Group
Pastoral / Herding
Origin
England
Popularity
#190 US#111 UK · 2025

Known for: Flat-friendlyLow grooming

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Alert, Clever, Affectionate, Busy.

Health problems to know about

  • Primary lens luxation
  • Collie eye anomaly
  • Persistent pupillary membranes
  • Patellar luxation

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Daily walks plus games and training to keep the mind busy. A weekly brush. Ask breeders for DNA and eye-test results.

A good fit for

Active singles or couples, small homes, people who enjoy training a clever dog.

Probably not ideal for

Homes with toddlers (they may nip heels), owners who dislike barking.

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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