Lancashire-Heeler

		Lancashire-Heeler
		FCI standard Nº 360

Origin		England, patronage : FCI
Group		Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Section		Section 1 Sheepdogs
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Sunday 01 May 2016
Publication of the official valid standard		Monday 04 April 2016
Last update		Monday 30 May 2016
En français, cette race se dit		Lancashire-Heeler
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Lancashire-Heeler
En español, esta raza se dice		Lancashire-Heeler
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Lancashire-Heeler

Usage

Herding & companion dog.

Brief historical summary

The origins of the Lancashire Heeler are not clearly defined, but it has been suggested that when cattle were herded from Wales by Corgis to slaughter in the Ormskirk area, the ‘Welsh heeler’ met the Manchester Terrier, with obvious results. Certainly, the breed is found in that area and has been bred there for many generations. The Heeler is an intelligent, eager-to-please fellow, with a love of people. The breed is trainable but does best under a firm, kindly owner. He is possessed of a prodigious amount of energy in his small frame.

General appearance

Small, powerful, sturdily built, alert and energetic worker.

Important proportions

Body approximately 2.5 cm longer than height at withers (measured from withers to set on of tail).

Behaviour / temperament

Works cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting. Courageous, happy and affectionate to owner.

Head
Cranial region
Head		In proportion to body.
Skull		Skull and muzzle to be on parallel planes. Skull flat and wide between ears, tapering towards eyes which are set wide apart.
Stop		Moderate, equidistant between nose and occiput.

Facial region
Nose		Black or brown, in accordance to coat colour.
Muzzle		Tapering towards the nose.
Lips		Firm.
Jaws and teeth		Scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and setsquare to the jaws. Under or overshot to be discouraged.
Eyes		Almond-shaped, medium size, dark colour except in liver brown where they may be lighter to match coat colour.
Ears		Showing alert lift, or erect. Drop ears showing no lift undesirable.

Neck

Moderate length, well set into shoulders.

Body
Topline		Firm and level, never dipping at withers or falling at croup.
Loin		Short.
Chest		Well sprung ribbing, extending well back with close coupling.

Tail

Set on high, left natural. Carried over back in a slight curve when alert, but not forming a complete ring.

Limbs

Forequarters
Shoulders		Well laid.
Elbows		Firm against ribs.
Forearm		Amply boned.
Pastern		Pasterns allow feet to turn slightly outwards, but not enough to cause weakness or affect freedom of movement.
Forefeet		Small, firm and well padded.

Hindquarters
Generality		Muscular. From rear should be parallel, when moving or standing.
Stifle		Well turned.
Metatarsus		Never bandy or cow hocked.
Hock		Well let down.
Hind feet		Small, firm and well padded.

Gait and movement

Smart and brisk. Natural, free movement.

Coat
Hair		Fine undercoat is covered throughout by weather resistant, short, thick, hard, flat topcoat. Topcoat is 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 is highly undesirable.
Colour		Black and tan or liver brown and tan with pigment to tone with coat colour, 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 colour, immediately above front feet is desirable. Richness of tan may fade with age. White to be discouraged. A small white spot on fore-chest -although permissible is undesirable.

Size and weight
Height at withers		Ideal: Males 30 cm, females 25 cm.

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 its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

Details: Also available:; Last Updated: 29 January 2024; Hits: 1130

Lancashire-Heeler