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Lancashire Heeler Breeders

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The Full Lancashire Heeler Description

Indicative 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 highly 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).