It’s a terrier. No wait, it’s a heeling herding dog. It looks like a Corgi, but it also looks like a Manchester Terrier.
Confused?
It’s understandable because you’re meeting the smallest drover in the world, the Lancashire Heeler, and even the experts are conflicted about its connection to either of the aforementioned breeds. The Lancashire did perform duties as a butcher’s heeler in Lancashire, and some believe the breed was developed when frisky Welsh Corgis used to drive cattle from Wales to markets in Lancashire met up with saucy Manchester Terriers. Others maintain that Heelers were the result of crosses between the Drover’s Cur, Norfolk Heeler and the London Smithfield Collie. Whatever its ancestral origins, the result was so successful that eventually, Lancashires could be found on almost every farm in Great Britain.
Recognizing the distinct possibility of extinction, Gwen Mackintosh of Norfolk, England, worked hard to preserve the breed, and did get it officially recognized in Great Britain, but today, the breed still finds itself on the Kennel Club’s Vulnerable Breeds list with only 90 dogs having been registered last year in its country of origin – not enough to itself for very long.
This formidable spirit in a little body is without a doubt, the perfect dog for the right family. Happy, energetic and courageous, Lancashires can be a wee bit mischievous and stubborn, but only because they’re too smart by half.
Take a look at at when the breed participated in the Vulnerable Breeds parade at Crufts in 2008:
This wonderful breed is gaining admirers for its companionability, but the approximate number of Lancashire Heelers world-wise is only about 5,000 dogs. When you’re ready for your next dog, research this breed and see if it’s not a good fit for you. As noble as saving a shelter dog is, so is saving an entire breed from extinction.
Image: Lancashire Heeler by DJ Rogers – k9artgallery
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Our Lancashire Heeler has been the most wonderful addition to our family. Thank you for getting the word out about this fabulous breed.
It’s our absolute pleasure, Lauren. When the Lancashire was featured as a Purebred of Interest a while back, the owners proved themselves to be every bit as wonderful as their dogs!
Our two wonderful heelers have given us years of wonderful companionship. This is a very smart breed, easy to groom,very intelligent and loving. We owners have been nervous about bad breeding practices in the US. but carefully trained, this is one of the stellar dogs there is.
Concern over substandard breeding practices is, we fear, endemic to everyone who loves their respective breed, Carole, but hopefully, responsible, ethical and careful breeders prevail! Thank you for sharing your experience of living with a Lancashire, they seem like terrific little dogs!
Spot is our second Lancashire Heeler (Madincrowd Robin). Here he is looking out our front window before going to Crufts a couple of years ago. They will walk all day long and he loves going out in the New Forest. Unlike our first he doesn’t like sitting in our laps but loves playing games like tug although he has his own idea of how to play fetch. I’m glad mum found another heeler, they have great personalities.
“Spot” is delightful, William!! We’re delighted to hear from an actual owner as to what these little chaps are like, thank you for writing!