Although there are only about 5,000 of them around, the Lancashire Heeler is famous for its “heeler smile” – a drawing back of the lips when spoken to or feeling contented to form an unmistakable and endearing smile. That engaging smirk indicates an amiable, friendly dog that’s been working alongside its people for over 100 years (some say it even dates back to the 17th century), but make no mistake, this is a working breed known as the smallest drover in the world.  This all-purpose farm dog combines the qualities of both ratting and cattle heeling which it achieves by nipping at cow heels and ducking out, earning it another nickname: The ‘nip and duck dog.’

Image by @panthercreeklab with permission of the AKC