Lancashire Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison

Lancashire Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed ComparisonLancashire Heeler is originated from United Kingdom but Blue Healer is originated from Australia. Lancashire Heeler may grow 20 cm / 7 inches shorter than Blue Healer. Lancashire Heeler may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than Blue Healer. Both Lancashire Heeler and Blue Healer has almost same life span. Both Lancashire Heeler and Blue Healer has almost same litter size. Both Lancashire Heeler and Blue Healer requires Low maintenance.

History

lancashire heeler - historyThe Lancashire Heeler, known also as the Ormskirk Heeler or Ormskirk Terrier, hails from England and is looked upon as a vulnerable breed by the Kennel Club in the 21st century.

He was developed to be a cattle drover, but is essentially a companion dog today. Exact details of the origin of the Lancashire are unknown, but it is generally accepted that Welsh Corgis were used as well as a kind of black and tan terrier known as the Manchester Terrier.

In England, he has been known as a general working dog for more than a century.Gwen Mackintosh began breeding these dogs in the 1960s and the Lancashire Heeler Club was established in 1978. The dog was also placed on the Endangered Breeds in 2003.

blue healer - historyIt was in 1802 that George Hall arrived in New South Wales, establishing 2 cattle stations. He had a problem – getting his thousands of cattle to the Sydney markets. He began looking at the prospect of a droving dog and imported a number of dogs of which a blue mottled dog emerged.

The dogs were crossed with dingoes and by 1840 the Halls Heelers were used by the Halls. However with the death of one of the Halls, their cattle stations went to action and the dogs, the Halls Heelers became available.

The dogs attracted attention, and the term ‘Australian Cattle Dog’ was adopted. The name referred to those dogs coming from Thomas Hall's ‘Heelers’. There have been many arguments about the origin of the breed, but the red or blue offspring known as Hall's Heelers were proven cattle drovers, and with further breeding experiments which included the Australian Kelpie, dingoes and the Dalmation, by 1893, the tough, robust working breed known as the Blue Heeler or the Australian Cattle Dog came about.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
25 - 31 cm
9 - 13 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
25 - 31 cm
9 - 13 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
15 - 22 kg
33 - 49 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 6 kg
4 - 14 pounds
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 5
1 - 7
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Ormskirk Heeler, Ormskirk Terrier
ACD, Cattle Dog, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler
Colors Available:
Black, liver-colored with tan markings
Blue mottled, Red mottled
Coat:
Short and coarse
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

lancashire heeler puppy - descriptionAs a small breed dog, the Lancashire Heeler stands at 25 – 31cm in height, both male and female, and the dog weighs in the region of 2 to 6kg.

Looking quite similar to a Corgi or a German Shepherd with short legs, the Heeler’s legs are meant to be fairly straight and not bandy-legged. He has a short, weather-proof coarse coat that can be black or liver-colored, with tan markings. The coat is regarded as low maintenance. The hair is slightly longer around his neck.

The ears are erect, the eyes brown and bright and the tail these days is left long with a slight curl.

Temperament:

Intelligent, stubborn, strong willed, playful and friendly, the Lancashire Heeler is capable of making you an excellent pet and companion.

This dog is smart and learns quickly. He is energetic and playful, strong and robust and more than willing to take part in all the activities that you’re taking part in.

With training and socialization he makes a splendid pet, but he doesn’t put up well to abuse and disrespect from younger children. He is willing to get along with other pets in the home too.

blue healer puppy - descriptionBlue Heelers are medium-sized, sturdy, compact dogs who are somewhat longer than tall. The female Blue Heeler measures roughly 43–48cm at the withers, while the male measures about 46–51cm. If your Blue Heeler is in tip top condition, he’ll weigh about 15 to 22 kilograms. They are muscular with pointed, erect ears, dark eyes and long tails which are mostly hanging downwards. Their dense coats are blue- or red speckled and sometimes with tan markings.

The Blue Heeler is a ball of energy and he is clever too. You won’t find him sitting around for too long, and if there is sign of a walk or a ball game, he’s in! He is an independent dog, and although he makes a wonderful family pet, he tends to attach himself to that one special person in his life. He is a natural watchdog and protector of his human family.

Characteristics

lancashire heeler dog - characteristicsAs with any dog breed, there are wide variations in temperament. A dog essentially turns out the way it was brought up, similar to a child. Angry, harsh, aggressive, uncaring dog owners produce a dog that is both timid and aggressive, unsure, frustrated and with behavioral problems.

Make your dog part of your family, provide him with good food, exercise and love and he will make an awesome pet.

The Lancashire Heeler is such an amicable, social dog at heart, and treated well, he will turn out like is inherent characteristics. He is an outgoing, friendly dog, more so when he has been trained and socialized. He will adapt to city- or country life, so long as he is exercised each day.

The Heeler has a good, balanced temperament, and counted in as a loved family member, you’ll make sure he stays that way.

blue healer dog - characteristicsTraining and socializing of your Blue Heeler will ensure that your dog does what you want him to. The Blue Heeler is an intelligent, responsive dog and training can benefit him, turning him into an outstanding family pet, good with children and other pets in the home.

He is a playful, affectionate pet who doesn’t take easily to strangers, and this is what makes him such an excellent guard dog.

Your Blue Heeler is not an apartment dog as he requires a lot of exercise, and cooping him indoors for too long with nothing to do can lead to destructive behavior.

Head-strong, independent and robust, your Blue Heeler will need a firm owner who is boss. Add to the firm owner a lot of love and care, and you’ll have a devoted friend.

Health Problems

lancashire heeler puppies - health problemsYour Heeler can live to be 14, 15 or 16 years of age and live even longer than this with the right care. He is such a healthy breed, but one of the common dog illnesses to look out for are eye diseases.

Lens Luxation:

This is where the ligaments of the eye are weakened so that the lens actually loosened and then displaced, causing pain for the dog. This displacement can obstruct fluid drainage from the eye too and your vet may need to perform surgery.

Intervertebral Disc Disease:

The shock-absorbing intervertebral discs can have spinal compression and contribute to significant pain for your pet. Early signs will see your Lancashire Heeler being reluctant to jump on his chair like he may once have done. Preventing obesity is important for reducing pressure on the dog’s spine.

blue healer puppies - health problemsAustralian cattle dogs are healthy and can live up to 15 years of age, but even so there are some genetic conditions that you will need to be aware of following

Eye issues which includes progressive retinal atrophy – this disease is an inherited disease of the retina of the eye where the rod cells are destined to die. Fortunately it is not painful for the dog. There are different types of inherited retinal degenerative diseases in dogs but going into detail with them is beyond the scope of this article. For more information you can chat to your vet.

Recessive piebald elleles - the Blue Heeler has recessive piebald alleles which can produce white in the skin and coat and which is linked to congenital hereditary deafness.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

lancashire heeler dogs - caringKnown as a low maintenance dog, the Lancashire Heeler’s short coat will require little grooming, just a good brush twice a week.

If your Heeler doesn’t wear his nails down naturally, they will need to be clipped as part of the grooming process. Ears should also be checked regularly. Excess wax and dirt can build up which can lead to an ear infection. This can drive your dog mad with frustration. Teeth also need to be brushed regularly.

Remember, if you feel guilty for not getting to grooming your pet, there are professional groomers at your local vet or who work independently and they will do all of this for you.

Exercise:

Your Lancashire Heeler is such a social, active little dog who is always willing to be counted in to all your fun and games. If you’re lucky to have a fair sized garden, involve him in some ball games, or use a rope for him to tug on while you pull the other side. Whenever you go for a walk, he will be thrilled to join you as he loves picking up all those new scents outside his garden.

Diet:

Nutritious food is important for longevity and health in a dog. Every dog has different dietary needs throughout their lives – when they’re puppies, when the female is pregnant, after they’ve been spayed or neutered, as a working dog, when they’re sick, when they’re old and so on.

There are some good dog brand foods to use, but you want to choose the best ones to ensure your dog gets all the vitamins and minerals needed as opposed to those that are packed with colorants, preservatives and fillers.

Home-made food is important too and some cooked chicken, cooked rice and raw or cooked vegetables can be added to his dry kibble from time to time. Don’t complicate your dog’s diet – just feed him plain, wholesome food like this with a little bit of raw meat added in occasionally. Simple, nutritious food will ensure he is energetic, bright eyed and happy. Make sure he always has fresh, cool water.

Provide Plenty of Exercise

blue healer dogs - caringRemember that your Blue Heeler was once a full time cattle dog where he used to become totally and utterly exhausted from herding cattle. This is what he loved – the activity. If you have a Blue Heeler, you will need to provide him with plenty of exercise.

If you live on a farm, your Blue Heeler will be in his element because he can run, walk and swim to his heart’s content. If you keep your Blue Heeler in your back garden, you will need to provide him with ball games, rope games, long walks, running on a leash as you cycle and other activities.

Grooming

Your Blue Heeler has a short, weather-resistant double coat. He’s not a heavy shedder, but he will have his share of seasonal shedding, so it’s a good idea to get into the habit of brushing him at least twice a week. This will get rid of all those loose hairs and keep his skin healthy by getting the blood flowing and distributing his natural oils.

Feeding

Giving the best dog food for your Blue Heeler will come from either your home made food or a top quality commercially manufactured dog food. He is such a high energy dog, that your veterinarian can advise you on a dog food specially designed for high energy breeds.

These foods are well balanced and are enriched with amino acids and vitamins, promoting healthy bones and joints. Remember to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and to ensure a constant source of cool, fresh water.

General care

Ensure your Blue Heeler’s ongoing health by paying attention to ears, nails and teeth.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  2. Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  4. Blue Healer vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  6. Blue Healer vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Blue Healer vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  8. Blue Healer vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  9. Blue Healer vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  11. Blue Healer vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  12. Blue Healer vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  13. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  14. Blue Healer vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  15. Blue Healer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  16. English Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  17. Catahoula Cur vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  18. Catalan Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  19. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  20. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  21. Queensland Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  22. German Coolie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  23. Bohemian Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  24. Croatian Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  25. Red Heeler vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  26. Lancashire Heeler vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  27. Lancashire Heeler vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  28. Lancashire Heeler vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Miniature Siberian Husky vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  30. Telomian vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Turnspit Dog vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Pomeranian vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Maltese vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. Pug vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Maltipoo vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Miniature Schnauzer vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Mal-Shi vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Papillon vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Miniature English Bulldog vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Miniature Dachshund vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Lhasa Apso vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  43. Miniature Poodle vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. Rat Terrier vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Scottish Terrier vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  46. Malti-Pom vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  47. PekePoo vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  48. Patterdale Terrier vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Norwich Terrier vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  50. Norfolk Terrier vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds