The UK Lancashire Heeler Club
The following Breed Standard is published with the kind permission of the Kennel Club
© The Kennel Club
A link to the Kennel Club site can be found on our links page
The Lancashire Heeler Breed Standard
General Appearance
Small, powerful, sturdily built, alert energetic worker.
Characteristics
Works cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting and ratting.
Temperament
Courageous, happy, affectionate to owner.
Head and Skull
In proportion to body. Skull flat and wide between ears, tapering towards eyes which are set wide apart. Moderate stop equidistant between nose and occiput. Tapering continues towards nose. Skull and muzzle to be on parallel planes.
Eyes
Almond-shaped, medium size, dark colour except in liver where they may be lighter to match coat colour.
Ears
Showing alert lift, or erect. Drop ears showing no lift undesirable.
Mouth
Lips firm. Scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Under or overshot to be discouraged.
Neck
Moderate length, well laid into shoulders.
Forequarters
Well laid shoulder, elbows firm against ribs. Amply boned. Pasterns allow feet to turn slightly outwards, but not enough to cause weakness or affect freedom of movement.
Body
Well sprung ribbing, extending well back with close coupling. Firm, level topline, never dipping at withers or falling at croup. Approximately 2.5 cms (1 in) longer than height at withers. (Measured from withers to set on of tail).
Hindquarters
Muscular, with well turned stifles, hocks well let down. From rear should be parallel, when moving or standing. Never bandy or cowhocked.
Feet
Small, firm and well padded.
Tail
Set on high, left natural. Carried over back in a slight curve when alert, but not forming a complete ring.
Gait/Movement
Smart and brisk. Natural, free movement.
Coat
Fine undercoat is covered throughout by weather resistant, short, thick, hard, flat topcoat. Topcoat 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 hightly undesirable.
Colour
Black or liver with rich tan marking on muzzle, spots on cheeks and often above eyes, from knees downwards, with desirable thumb-mark above feet, inside hindlegs and under tail. Richness of tan may fade with age. White to be discouraged, except for a very small spot on forechest being permitted, but not desired. Pigmentation to tone with coat colour.
Size
Ideal height at shoulder: dogs: 30 cms (12 ins); bitches: 25 cms (10 ins).
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.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
September 1999
Further information on the Lancashire Heeler breed standard...
Useful commentary on the Breed Standard can be found in Jacky Cutler's article:
'Know your Lancashire Heeler'
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