Meet the Lancashire Heeler! The 201st dog breed officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) on Thursday, January 4.
The Lancashire Heeler became eligible to begin competition on January 1, 2024 and is the newest member of the AKC. Breeding group.
![Adorable Lancashire Heeler posing in summer](https://www.dogingtonpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Adorable-Lancashire-Heeler-Posing-In-Summer-1024x683.jpg)
This breed may be small, but it sure has big dog energy! According to AKC, Lancashire Heelers are energetic and are “just as keen on performance sports” like they are at dog shows.
Sheryl Bradbury, President of the United States Lancashire Heeler Club (USLHC), describes the breed as “a breed that will work hard all day and will happily snuggle up next to you and watch the TV news in the evening.”
Jeff Kestner, chairman of the club’s judge education committee, has this to say about this little breed: “He’s not an ordinary dog. His eyes and expression are like magnets. Being a herding breed, she is extremely intelligent – she definitely needs a job to do.
Kestner also reveals that the Heeler can show favoritism and have a favorite man in a family. “They love the whole family, but will choose a favorite,” AKC writes.
When the AKC asked Lancashire Heeler breeders which adjectives best described the breed, they listed the following: intelligent, quick, gentle, loving, intelligent, mischievous, intelligent, energetic, loyal, attached, versatile, tenacious, robust, affectionate and alert.
Another thing you need to know about this dog breed is that although it shares the nickname “Heeler” with other dog breeds such as the Australian Cattle Dog, the Lancashire Heeler is the only AKC breed with the word ” heeler” in its official breed name.
![Lancashire Heeler Couple Posing in Summer](https://www.dogingtonpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Lancashire-Heeler-couple-posing-in-summer-1024x683.jpg)
There is little to no information known about the origin of this breed. But the AKC reveals that the breed is the result of “17th-century crossbreeding of cattle-breeding Welsh Corgis at a North Wales meat market, with the later infusion of the Manchester Terrier.”
When it comes to their physical attributes, the Heeler has a dense, waterproof coat that is either black and tan or liver and tan.
Additionally, they typically weigh between 9 and 17 pounds and have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. And the average size of their litters is five.
Although the breed is not as popular as other AKC dog breeds, the AKC says “The Lancashire Heeler is a breed in its own right, and the more it is seen by the public, the easier the dog will be to recognize.”