Lancashire Heeler

Ideal Lancashire Heeler owners have lots of stamina for long rambling walks, the calmness to balance out the Heeler’s feisty nature, and the training skills and experience to socialise and educate this clever little dog. For the active owner without children, or the family with older children, and some experience with small spicy dogs, the Heeler can make a great companion.

A friendly and active little dog, the Lancashire Heeler gets on well with people but may need some careful dog socialisation to mix well with other pets and particularly other dogs. They have an independent nature and a determination when put to a task they understand they enjoy, but may take some clever motivation to get them to work with you. Due to their small size, they are a good household companion, as long as you have the time to put into socialisation and training and don’t mind a talkative dog. 

Country of Origin – England 
 
As with many working dog breeds, the origins of the Lancashire Heeler are a bit of a mystery, probably because breeders and owners of such dogs were more interested in their dogs’ working ability than in keeping records. They have been known to exist since the 1600’s as farm dogs, general ratters and rabbiters and to drive cattle, which is where the ‘Heeler’ part of their name comes in.  

Heelers are dogs who run behind cattle, nipping at their heels and are typically short in height to reduce the risk of them being kicked in the head! It is likely that the Lancashire Heeler (also known as the Ormskirk Heeler or Ormskirk Terrier) has its ancestry in the crosses of Welsh Corgis and the black and tan Manchester Terrier, both common and popular breeds at the time. 
Despite their long history as working dogs in Lancashire, the Lancashire Heeler was not recognised by the Kennel Club until 1981. 

Do not be fooled by their small size into thinking they only want to potter about! The Lancashire Heeler is an active dog who will need an hour of dog exercise per day, with training and games on top of that to keep them happy but they will easily walk for hours and are not put off by nasty weather.

Small dog breeds, such as the Lancashire Heeler, have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide. 

As a small dog with an undemanding coat, the Lancashire Heeler is economical to keep and house, but will require a very securely fenced garden as they are agile and clever escape artists. Access to a variety of interesting walking routes with some safe places to play and run off lead is necessary, but with appropriate training this is a dog who can live in the town or country.

The Lancashire Heelers are relatively easy to groom, as their hair is rather short and smooth. A rubber grooming mitt and the occasional comb is all that is necessary to keep this dog tidy. You can find out more about dog grooming and daily care with our article. 

The Lancashire Heeler is a fun dog to train as they can easily be motivated using toys and food - and patience. They love to control moving objects, so games such as Treiball (or Push Ball) may appeal. Work will need to be put in on recall and early socialisation around other animals, livestock and particularly other dogs is necessary. They may also appreciate a digging pit where they can sniff and dig out toys and treats. 

The Lancashire Heeler is a good family dog for those with older children who are able to help with training and follow instructions. Their tendency to herd and nip at heels may mean they are not suitable with very small children or those too young to follow rules and remain calm, as although this trait can be managed with training, it will always be in the Heelers nature to want to gather up their family group and keep them together. 

While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.