Breed Comparison: Collie Versus Lancashire Heeler

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Collie Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Collie and for the Lancashire Heeler. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Collie or the Lancashire Heeler.

Collie versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Collie is a medium-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Collie versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie to the Lancashire Heeler based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler

Factor Collie Lancashire Heeler
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1480 $200
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lancashire Heeler. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Collie is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler. So, you should get the Collie!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler

    The Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are most similar:

  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler.

    Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Collie versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is between 9 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Lancashire Heelers is 11.5 years.

    Collies live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Collie versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Collie puppy is $1480. The price of the Collie typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Collie can be as low as $300 and as high as $15000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 356 Collie puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of the Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Collie is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Collie Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1480 $200
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $200 to $200

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Collie and Lancashire Heeler. For different price points, the charts show how many Collie puppies or how many Lancashire Heeler puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Collies. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Collie puppy or the Lancashire Heeler puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies and many Lancashire Heelers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Collie named Copper that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Copper on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Collies, Lancashire Heelers are also available for adoption. For example, Badger is a Male Lancashire Heeler that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lancashire Heelers like Badger that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Collie and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Harvey is an adorable Male Lancashire Heeler on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    You can find more Collies and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Collie versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Collies and in Lancashire Heelers.

    Collie Health Problems

    Collies are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Collie puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Collie puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Collie breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Collies for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies here.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Collie versus Lancashire Heeler

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Collies shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Collies shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Lancashire Heeler

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Collie or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Lancashire Heelers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Collies Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Collies are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Lancashire Heelers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Collie or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Collies are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Collies and Lancashire Heelers?

    Collies get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Collie Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Collie or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Collie that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Collie:

  • Keeshond (84 percent match with Collie). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Keeshond.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lancashire Heeler

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lancashire Heeler that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lancashire Heeler:

  • Dalmatian (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Collie vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Collie and how the Lancashire Heeler compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Collie and of the Lancashire Heeler to other breeds:

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus English Toy Spaniel     Collie versus Patterdale Terrier     Collie versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Collie versus Manchester Terrier     Collie versus Affenhuahua     Collie versus Bordoodle     Collie versus Toy Fox Terrier     Collie versus King Shepherd     Collie versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Collie versus Canaan Dog     Collie versus Patterdale Terrier     Collie versus Airedale Terrier     Collie versus Gordon Setter     Collie versus American Hairless Terrier     Collie versus Silky Terrier     Collie versus Puli     Collie versus Irish Wolfhound     Collie versus Irish Wolfhound     Collie versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Collie versus Border Terrier     Collie versus Boerboel     Collie versus Valley Bulldog     Collie versus Shichon     Collie versus Pomapoo     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Boerboel     Lancashire Heeler versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockalier     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Fila Brasileiro     Lancashire Heeler versus Newfoundland     Lancashire Heeler versus Boerboel     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinook     Lancashire Heeler versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Lancashire Heeler versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Lancashire Heeler versus Peek A Poo     Lancashire Heeler versus Shih Tzu     Lancashire Heeler versus Schnoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinese Crested     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Mal Shi     Lancashire Heeler versus Boston Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Norfolk Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bich Poo     Lancashire Heeler versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Cairn Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier     

    Conclusion: Collie versus Lancashire Heeler. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Collie and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.