Lancashire Heeler Breed Magazine features information, expert articles, and stunning photos from AKC judges, breeders, and owners.
HEELER LANCASHIRE
Let’s Talk Breed Education!
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Standard for the Lancashire Heeler
History: The Lancashire Heeler’s history extends back to the 17 th Century. The exact origin of the breed is unknown. However, it is generally accepted that a type of Welsh Corgi was utilized to drive stock to market in northern Wales to the Lancashire market. What is known is a small black and tan dog known as the butch ers’ dog was common in the Ormskirk area of West Lancashire. The possible ancestors for this dog include the Corgi and Manchester Terrier. These useful farm dogs were bred for generations within this particular district developing their own characteristics. Once bred as a cattle herder and a ratter these friendly little dogs have gained popularity as a wonderful family dog. The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in the U.K. in 1981 and a vulnerable native breed in 2006. Today there is a growing interest in this great companion dog that happily participates in obedience, agility, rally and herding events. The Lancashire Heeler has gained popularity in the U.S., Sweden, the Netherlands and Australia . General Appearance: Small, powerful, sturdily built, alert energetic worker. Size Proportion, Substance: Ideal height at shoulder - dogs: 12 inches; bitches: 10 inches. Head: Head - In proportion to body. Eyes - Almond-shaped, medium size, dark color except in liver where they may be lighter to match coat color. Ears - Showing alert lift, or erect. Drop ears showing no lift undesirable. Skull - Skull flat and wide between ears, tapering towards eyes which are set wide apart. Moderate stop equidistant between nose and occiput. Tapering continues towards nose. Skull and muzzle to be on parallel planes. Lips - Lips are firm. Bite - Scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Under or overshot to be discouraged. Neck, Topline, Body: Neck - Moderate length, well laid into shoulders. Body - Well sprung ribbing, extending well back with close coupling. Firm, level topline , never dipping at withers or falling at croup. Approximately 1 inch longer than height at withers (measured from withers to set on of tail). Tail - Set on high, left natural. Carried over back in a slight curve when alert, but not forming a complete ring. Feet – Small, firm and well padded. Forequarters: Well laid shoulder, elbows firm against ribs. Amply boned. Pasterns allow feet to turn slightly outwards, but not enough to cause weakness or affect freedom of movement. Hindquarters: Muscular, with well-turned stifles, hocks well let down. From rear should be parallel, when moving or standing. Never bandy or cowhocked. Coat: Fine undercoat is covered throughout by weather resistant, short, thick, hard, flat topcoat. Topcoat slightly longer on neck. Undercoat should not show through topcoat nor allow any longer hair at the mane to stand off. Long or excessively wavy coat highly undesirable. Color: Black and tan or liver and tan with pigment to tone with coat color, with rich tan spots on cheeks and often above eyes. Rich tan on muzzle and chest and from knees downwards, inside hind legs and under tail. A distinct black or liver mark (thumb mark), according to coat color, immediately above front feet is desirable. Richness of tan may fade with age. White to be discouraged. A small white spot on forechest, although permissible is undesirable. Gait: Smart and brisk. Natural, free movement. Temperament: Courageous, happy, affectionate to owner.
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Faults: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Approved October 9, 2017 Effective June 27, 2018
THE Lancashire Heeler
BY JEFFREY KESTNER, USLHC JEC
T he Lancashire Heeler, native to the United Kingdom, has been used for hundreds of years as working dogs on farms in the Lancashire area. Though a little-known breed, they are still working on farms today. The Lancashire Heeler, once known as the Ormskirk Heel- er, was first recognized by The Kennel Club (UK) in 1981, when it was placed on the Rare Breeds Register as a Vulnerable
Native Breed. Due to the small number of dogs compris- ing the gene pool, there is a risk of inherited diseases of the eye. The United States Lancashire Heeler Club, the breed’s parent club, is currently in the Miscellaneous Group, work- ing toward full recognition. These Heelers compete in every applicable event, both performance and companion, as well as UKC conformation.
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THE LANCASHIRE HEELER
A ROBUST LITTLE DROVER The Lancashire Heeler is the smallest of the Herding Breeds. A robust little drover, Heelers have traditionally been used to drive cattle from farm to market, but they also exhibit Terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting. Small, powerful, sturdily built, and an alert and energetic worker, the Heeler is courageous, happy, and affectionate to the owner. The smooth coat colors are black & tan and liver & tan. The fine undercoat is covered throughout by a weather-resistant, short, thick, hard, flat topcoat. HEALTH: NOW AND FUTURE The Lancashire Heeler is a very healthy dog, and the health of the breed is priority, first and foremost. The USLHC encourages breeders to participate in the CHIC program. The ULSHC has partnered with OFA to establish the minimum protocol for spe- cific health screenings that include DNA testing for PLL (Primary Lens Luxation) and CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) as well as veteri- nary evaluation of the patella. We continue to evaluate the need for additional testing for this breed as information becomes available. NEXT STEPS The USLHC Judges Education Committee is finishing up the AKC Lancashire Heeler Judges Education Presentation, which will be available very soon. In the meantime, look for our Heelers in the Miscellaneous Classes at All-Breed Shows and OPEN Shows. Our members are passionate about this breed and are happy to visit with you. BREEDERS IN THE US Below is a listing of the active breeders in the US. These would be USLHC members who have had litters in the past two years or are planning future breedings.
In Alphabetical Order by Kennel Name:
Kennel Name
Breeder Name
State
Aberdeen
Jean Turoci
NC MA MS NY
Baystar
Elaine Giannelli
Broken Wing’s
Patricia Blankenship Sid & Virginia Cranston
Cranston KCEE’s Kimmark
Karen Cox
NJ RI
Heidi Benson
KWONTUMLEAP
Linda Walawander Sheryl Bradbury Holly Simmons & Julie Simmons
NY NE
Mashury
Prairiewyn
IA
Prestige
Sheila Mesick
NY
Quickheels Siren Song
Meaghan Thacker Christina Taddei
FL
MA OH
St. Johns
Jeff Bazell & Jeff Kestner
As our membership grows and our Heeler population increases, we invite you to join us and be a part of the growth and journey of this awesome little breed with a huge personality! For more infor- mation, visit the Club’s website: https://www.unitedstateslancashire- heelerclub.com or contact Sheryl Bradbury, USLHC President, at 816-308-2424 or sherylbradbury@windstream.net.
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