Lancashir Hilery

The lively and compact Lancashire Heeler breed is renowned for its loving and playful disposition. These dogs were originally bred in the English county of Lancashire to herd sheep and cattle. They are adored family companions as well as great working dogs due to their intelligence and agility.

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Not only are these dogs adorable, but they are also very trainable and eager to please. They are ideal for active owners because of their playful nature, which makes them love games and outdoor activities. A Lancashire Heeler is always up for fun, whether they are running or fetching a ball.

General characteristics of the Lankashir Hilery breed

The smallest shepherds in the breed are called Lankashir Hilers. Yet farmers have long regarded her favorably. While they ate little and didn’t need much care, small, powerful, and agile dogs that were expertly handled with cattle helped distill horses.

Their ability to manipulate animals by biting them for extra is what makes their work unique. As a result, the breed’s namesake, "Lancashir," comes from the fact that these dogs were mostly divorced in the County of Lancaster during the Middle Ages, and "Hilery," which means "heel." In the UK, dogs of this breed are sometimes referred to as Ormskirk Heeler, after the county’s name, and occasionally as Lancashire.

These diminutive, agile dogs were once a farmer’s greatest ally. They eliminated rodents, assisted in the pursuit of rabbits, and protected the home and surrounding area in addition to grazing cattle. They are currently being started as a friend. They can excel in cynological sports and are tough, nimble, and full of energy, making them ideal for active owners. They are useful in canistherapy because of their intelligence, sociability, and cheerfulness.

Healers derived much of their appearance and personality from terriers, which served as the foundation for the current iteration of the breed. However, because of their functional characteristics, they were categorized as a group of shepherds in the FCI.

Parameters Characteristics
name Lancashir Hilery (English. Lancashire Heler)
Classification MKF recognized on a preliminary basis
use shepherd, guard, ratter, companion
life expectancy 9-15 years
height 25-30 cm
weight 3-5 kg

Pros

Despite their small size, Lancashire Heeler dogs are robust and active. Because of its versatility, workability, and efficiency, farmers have always adored it. We can also observe that these dogs have the following benefits:

  • playful, cheerful;
  • active, agile;
  • loyal;
  • sociable;
  • friendly;
  • love children, patient with them;
  • vigilant, can be a guard.

Disadvantages

This dog is best suited for energetic owners who can walk it for extended periods of time and provide ample attention. It also has a number of additional drawbacks:

  • does not tolerate loneliness;
  • hunts cats and birds on the street;
  • can be stubborn;
  • jealous and touchy;
  • wet fur smells like a dog.

History of origin

In Lancaster County, the Lancashire Heeler breed was developed close to the city of Ormskirk. Researchers claim that it is extremely old, having existed as early as the Middle Ages. Although its exact origins are unknown, some scientists think that it naturally resulted from the unintentional crossing of small English dogs. It was widely used to drive cattle to markets and keep rats off farms, but by the turn of the 20th century, it had all but vanished.

Enthusiasts made the decision to bring this breed back in the 1960s. Its representatives had all vanished, so descriptions and old photos were used to reconstruct the appearance. They started bridging Welsh Corgis and Manchester Terriers. The best descendants were chosen based on their functional abilities and appearance.

The English Kennel Club recognized the breed in the 1980s, and a standard was created. However, breeding is tightly controlled, and it is still in the formation stage. It was temporarily registered with the FCI in 2016. Northern Europe and Great Britain are the two main regions where Lancashire Heelers are found. Individual representatives exist in the USA, Russia, and a few other nations.

Description of appearance

The Welsh Corgi and the Lancashire Heeler are comparable in size. Her body is squat but elongated; the length is consistently 2.5 cm greater than the height. Even men weigh roughly 5 kg and have a maximum height of 30 cm. The Heeler’s color and muzzle are similar to those of English terriers.

Small and conical in shape, the head is proportionate to the body. The nose lobe is either brown or black, and the muzzle is slightly pointed and taper smoothly towards the nose. The cranium is broad, nearly flat, and has a hazy stop. The teeth are big, the jaws are powerful, and the bite is correct.

The ears are big, straight, and spaced widely apart. possess a triangular form with rounded corners. The brown, oval, medium-sized eyes are spaced widely apart from one another.

Body

The body is stocky, elongated, and squat, with a strong build. The neck is thick, medium-length, and dewlap-free. The ribs are rounded, the chest is deep, and the withers are ill-defined. Straight back, short loin, and somewhat rounded croup.

Short, high-set tail. It typically bends slightly up or down. It does not curl into a ring when it is excited; instead, it flips over onto its back.

Limbs

The legs have a robust bone structure and are short. The elbows are firmly pressed against the body, and the shoulders slope downward. The hips are broad, and the joint angles are clearly defined. The toes are gathered, the paws are compact, and the front ones are slightly turned outward. The Lancashire moves with freedom, agility, and springiness. These dogs jump and are nimble.

Coat and color

The coat is shiny, short, and fits tightly. The undercoat is thick and soft, while the outer hair is smooth and hard to the touch. In winter, the coat undergoes significant shedding and changes, growing longer and softer with a thicker undercoat and a richer collar.

Typically, the coat is tan and black with symmetrical, bright red markings on the legs, ears, throat, chest, and muzzle. The spots in this instance are light red, but occasionally brown and tan colors are seen. It is not desirable to have white markings present.

Additional images of this breed of dog:

Small and spirited, the Lancashire Heeler is renowned for its lively disposition and keen sense of herding. These canines, who were first bred in England to herd cattle, are smart and adaptive, which makes them excellent companions for busy households. They are the ideal choice for anyone searching for a devoted companion that enjoys exercise and socialization due to their amiable disposition and unwavering loyalty.

Features of character

The Lancashire Heeler makes a happy and outgoing companion. He develops an attachment to his owners and becomes amiable and loving toward every member of the family. gregarious and lively, enjoys pulling practical jokes, uplifts others. He enjoys being the center of attention in big groups and tries to get involved in all activities when people are paying him attention and playing with him.

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This dog is extremely loyal and will never leave its owner. He can even become ill from being so bored by himself. amiable and cordial with everyone in close proximity. He looks after them, loves kids, and is a nanny. Plays every game with joy and is always patient with the child.

Although the Lancashire Heeler never exhibits aggression, it is cautious and suspicious of strangers. He serves as a good guard, barking to alert the owner to any danger. It only views rodents as prey, gets along well with other pets, and occasionally gets into arguments with dogs.

Lancashires are intelligent, curious, and always want to please their owner. They are therefore simple to train. They can be enthralled with play, but they can also be stubborn at times. Regular, succinct, and engaging lessons are what are needed. This breed’s dogs require early and skillful socialization in order to help them respond appropriately to new circumstances and prevent the manifestation of the herding instinct in urban areas.

Even though Lancashire Heelers are working dogs, they fit right in at an apartment in the city. They can even cope without lengthy walks if there’s ample room to run around.

This dog, however, is happiest in a private home with a plot. There, it can carry out its responsibilities as a guard, animal caretaker, and rodent killer. Its high performance means that it is prepared for a full day of work. Hilery will suffer if you put it on a chain and leave it in the aviary for an extended period of time without getting in touch with the owner.

Even with an apartment, it is still preferable to take longer walks for your dog—at least one daily stroll should last an hour or more. The Lancashire Heeler will happily go on walks in the outdoors with its owner and will encourage athletics. It is important to remember that this breed’s representatives dislike rainy weather because their ears are extremely sensitive.

Heelers are modest and simple to take care of. The following standards for hygiene must be met:

  • bathe every 2-3 months;
  • comb the fur once a week, more often during shedding;
  • clean the ears weekly;
  • regularly check the eyes and wipe if necessary;
  • trim the claws every month.

Nutrition

The Heeler may be fed dry food or natural food, but not both at the same time. Selecting ultra-premium dog food meant for small, active dogs is preferable. It is recommended to give vitamin-mineral additives when feeding naturally. Lean meat, grains, and veggies should be the main components of the diet.

Health

The Lancashire Heeler is resilient, has a good tolerance for cold, and generally good health. The dog has a 15-year lifespan if given proper care. The following illnesses can occasionally be encountered:

  • eye diseases;
  • myasthenia;
  • obesity;
  • allergies;
  • dysplasia and other joint pathologies.

The breed’s description is enhanced by the video:

Lancashire Heeler in a video

How to buy a Lancashire Heeler puppy

Only nurseries in the UK and a few other European nations sell purebred puppies. Individual breeders can be found in St. Petersburg and Moscow in Russia. A Heeler puppy costs roughly seventy thousand rubles. Simply make sure to review every document to avoid purchasing a hybrid.

The picture shows Heeler puppies:

Breed Lancashire Heeler
Size Small to medium
Coat Short, smooth
Color Black and tan or chocolate and tan
Temperament Energetic, friendly
Exercise Needs Moderate
Life Span 12-15 years

A delightful and energetic breed, the Lancashire Heeler is renowned for its perceptiveness and loving disposition. These little dogs are great companions and do best in busy homes where they can play and explore. Their lively personality frequently makes both individuals and families happy.

Because Lancashire Heelers are eager to please their owners, training them can be a rewarding experience. They pick up commands and tricks quickly when provided with consistent guidance and positive reinforcement. It’s essential to socialize them early on to make sure they develop into complete pets.

Video on the topic

Lancashire Heelers vs. Brown Bear, 20.06.2025

Lankashir Hilery Bovenop Xerena Heler Mitskevich Natalya Ralley Odudensa Ro1 2 track 24.02.18

Meeting Lankashir Hilers 16.02.2025

We had the puppies of the Lancashir Hilery | Dogmama and dogs

Lancashir Hilery

Lancashire Heeler

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Igor Semenov

Zoopsychologist with extensive experience. Specialization - behavior correction for cats and dogs. I help owners understand why their pets behave in certain ways and how to change unwanted behavior without stressing the animal.

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