Lancashire Heeler

Country of origin: Great Britain

Date of publication of the original standard: 2016

Usage : Works with livestock but has terrier traits when hunting rabbits and exterminating rats.

F.C.I. Layout:

• Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs.
• Section 1: Sheepdogs.
• Without work trial.

Short history

The Lancashire Heeler has been known for decades in Lancashire, the area just north of Liverpool and Manchester. In old documents we also encounter the name Ormskirk Heeler (after a place in Lancashire). It is likely that such a type of dog already worked with cows in the 19th century. It is likely that the Welsh Corgi Cardigan contributed to the appearance of the Lancashire Heeler, but the Manchester terrier is also mentioned in this connection.

The Lancashire Heeler was used to drive cows, also for example from the ports to the slaughterhouses. It is to this that the Lancashire Heeler owes its nickname "Butcher's dog". The way of driving consisted of the Heeler biting at the heels of the cows and then ducking. He was therefore popularly called a "nip 'n duck dog".

With the advent of rail transport, the Lancashire Heeler disappeared to the farms, where it made itself useful in catching and killing small vermin such as rats and mice.

In the 1960s, some people began to take an interest in the breed, which led to the breed being accepted as a "Pedigree Dog" by the Kennel Club in 1981. In 1984 the studbooks were closed and unregistered dogs could no longer be included in the population.

Although the breed is still relatively unknown outside of Lancashire, significant numbers of Lancashire Heelers also live in other areas of England. Outside England, meanwhile, there are significant populations in Scandinavia.

General appearance

A small, powerful, solidly built working dog that is alert and energetic.

• IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
  Length from occiput to stop equal to length from stop to tip of nose.
  The body length (measured from the withers to the base of the tail) is about 2.5 cm (1 inch) more than the height at the withers.

• BEHAVIOR/TEMPERAMENT
  Courageous, cheerful, affectionate to its owner.

• Head
  In relation to the body. The lines of skull and muzzle are parallel.

• FOREHEAD SECTION
  Skull: Skull flat and broad between the ears, tapering towards the eyes which are set wide apart.
  Stop: Moderate stop.

• FRONT SECTION
  Nose: Black in black dogs with reddish brown markings, brown in liver dogs with reddish brown markings.
  Muzzle : Narrows down to the nose.
  Lips: Connected.
  Jaws/Teeth: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaw. Under- or over-biting should be discouraged.
  Eyes: Almond shaped, medium in size, dark in color except in the liver color where the eyes may be lighter in accordance with the coat colour.
  Ears: Tip ears showing an alert "lift", or erect ears. Droopy ears without a “lift” are undesirable.

• NECK
  Moderately long, reaching well into the shoulders.

• BODY
  Back: Firm, level topline, never sloping at the withers or sloping at the croup.
  Loin: Short.
  Chest: Ribs well sprung, extending far back.

• TAIL
  Set on high, uncropped. Carried in a slight arch over the back when the dog is alert. Does not form a full ring.

Limbs

• FORHAND
  Shoulders : Well placed shoulder.
  Forelegs: Elbows tight against the ribs. Lots of bone. The wrists may allow the feet to be rotated slightly outward, but not in such a way as to cause weakness or to interfere with free movement.

• HINDQUARTERS
  Muscular.
  Knee joints: Well angulated.
  Hock joints: Set low.
  Hind legs : Should be parallel when viewed from behind, both in walk and stance. Never bow legged or cow hocked.

• FEET
  Small, firm and with good soles.

• GAIT/MOVEMENT
  Flink and spry continuously. Natural, free movement.

Coat

• HAIR
  The fine undercoat is completely covered by a water-resistant, short, dense, harsh, flat outer coat. The outer coat is slightly longer on the neck. The undercoat should not show through the outer coat; nor should the existing longer hair in the neck stand out as a result. Long or strongly wavy coat highly undesirable.

Colors

• COLOUR
  Black with reddish-brown markings or liver with reddish-brown markings, with pigment matching the coat colour, with warm reddish-brown markings on the cheeks and often above the eyes. Warm reddish brown on the muzzle and forechest and from the knees down, on the inside of the hind legs and under the tail. Depending on the coat colour, clear black or liver markings (thumbprint) directly above the front feet are desirable. The warmth of the red-brown can diminish with age. White in the coat should be discouraged. A small white spot on the forechest, although allowed, is undesirable.

Mate

The ideal height at the withers is: for males: 30 cm (12 inches); for bitches: 25 cm (10 inches).

Race errors

Any deviation from the foregoing points should be regarded as a breed fault and the extent to which the fault occurs and affects the health and welfare of the dog should be judged with exactly the same degree.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.