Lancashire Heeler Did You Know?

• The Lancashire Heeler has been assigned the Herding Group designation.
• The Lancashire Heeler has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 2001.
• The Lancashire Heeler is also known as the Ormskirk Terrier.
• The Lancashire Heeler has a unique characteristic - The Heeler smile. When contented, Heelers have been known to draw back their lips in an effort that emulates a human smile.
• The Lancashire Heeler is a rare breed, numbering only around 5,000 worldwide.
• In 2003, the breed was placed on the endangered breed list of The Kennel Club, U.K., due to the small number of dogs composing the gene pool and the risk of several inherited diseases. An international effort is now underway to lessen the breeding of high risk dogs and to minimize and control the known health issues that face the breed.
• The Lancashire Heeler is truly a versatile breed. The Heeler works to this day as a herder and ratter, a gun dog, a retriever, and a handicap assistance dog.