UNITED STATES LANCASHIRE HEELER CLUB

LANCASHIRE HEELER BREED HISTORY

What we know about Lancashire Heelers

The origin of the Lancashire Heeler varies by what source one reads. The USLHC Judges Presentation explains that the the Lancashire Heeler, properly known as Heelers, originated from dwarfed dogs brought to the British Isles by the Vikings.  These dogs closely resembled the Swedish Vallhund in Stature and coloring with some degree of sable variation. 

In Futhark and Runic symbolization and artwork dating the from the ninth through the 12th Century.  They are depicted as varying degrees of sable and black, like other Nordic breeds, and clearly show their dwarfed stature.  In Lancashire, Cheshire and Wales, a typical smooth coated dog called the Olde English Black and Tan Terrier had existed for hundreds of years as a farm dog and ratter.  The terrier became the predecessor or an ingredient of many breeds including the Welsh, Manchester and Lakeland Terriers.  In the mid to late 1800’s as local variants started being bred more and more closely to a standardized type the Lancashire Heeler became a purpose bred breed of its own.  

In Futhark and Runic symbolization and artwork dating the from the ninth through the 12th Century.  They are depicted as varying degrees of sable and black, like other Nordic breeds, and clearly show their dwarfed stature.  In Lancashire, Cheshire and Wales, a typical smooth coated dog called the Olde English Black and Tan Terrier had existed for hundreds of years as a farm dog and ratter.  The terrier became the predecessor or an ingredient of many breeds including the Welsh, Manchester and Lakeland Terriers.  In the mid to late 1800’s as local variants started being bred more and more closely to a standardized type the Lancashire Heeler became a purpose bred breed of its own.

According to Iris Combe’s work;  

Herding Dogs-Their Origins and Development in Britain–

Opinion varies considerably as to whether these dogs are related to the corgi or not. Some authorities are convinced that this is so, while others believe the differences outweigh the similarities. Some researchers feel the heeler is most likely a local variety of corgi or spitz dog which has been kept for generations within one particular district, in the same way as the Cardigan or Pembroke corgis. The only real evidence of his origin is that of his role of butcher’s heeler in Lancashire.

Ms. Combe goes on to say that there were at one time two distinct varieties: the Lancashire terrier type (black and tan similar to the Manchester terrier) and the Ormskirk type, which had white marking added to the coat and were a little longer in the leg. Ms. Combe says this about the old time use of the LHs:

​

UK BREED INFOMATION HEELER HISTORY

There is little known about the origin of this breed. It is printed in many publications that the Lancashire Heeler is a cross between the Manchester Terrier and the Welsh Corgi.

The breed is said to have originated when Welsh Farmers used the services of Drovers to drive cattle to the Northern Cattle Markets, the two breeds met and the Lancashire Heeler was born. The farmers liked these small black and tan dogs, as when used to bring wayward sheep and cattle back to the herd, they did not injure the animals they controlled them by a sharp nip to the back of the heel.

The Lancashire Heeler is also known as the Ormskirk Heeler and they have been used as working dogs on farms in the Lancashire area for hundreds of years and though a little known breed they are still working on farms today.

The Lancashire Heeler was first recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1981. The breed was then placed on the Rare Breeds Register. The Lancashire Heeler is the smallest of all the Working and Herding Breeds.

1999 brought big changes for the breed in the show ring, the breed was moved into the newly formed Pastoral Group and was awarded CC's for the first time. Also the Brown (Liver and Tan) Heeler received Kennel Club approval to be included in the breed standard.