Differences and Similarities between the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Dalmatian Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Lancashire Heeler

Dalmatian versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dalmatian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Lancashire Heeler belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs 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.

Dalmatian versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dalmatian 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.

Factor Dalmatian Lancashire Heeler
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 13 to 16 years 9 to 14 years
Height 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 48 to 55 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1410 $200
Price Range $1000 – $1800 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Dalmatian 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 a Dalmatian is 80 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to train.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 inches tall 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.

    Price of Dalmatian versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Dalmatian puppy is $1410. The price of the Dalmatian typically ranges from $1000 – $1800. However, the price of a Dalmatian can be as low as $250 and as high as $2600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 233 Dalmatian 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 a 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 Dalmatian is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Dalmatian Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1410 $200
    Price Range $1000 to $1800 $200 to $200

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Dalmatians. 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 Dalmatian 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Adopting the Dalmatian versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian named Wendell that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dalmatians like Wendell on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Eddie is the name of another Dalmatian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Dalmatians and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

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

    Both the Dalmatian 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 Lancashire Heeler is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

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

    Dalmatian Health Problems

    Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:

  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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.

    Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Lancashire Heeler

    Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Dalmatians 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.

    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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

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

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

    Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Lancashire Heeler

    Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.

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

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

    Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Lancashire Heelers?

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

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

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

    Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Dalmatians are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

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

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

    Do Dalmatians shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

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

    Dalmatians are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian:

  • Berger Picard (78 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Berger Picard.
  • Golden Cocker Retriever (80 percent match with Dalmatian). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Golden Cocker Retriever.
  • 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:

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

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

    Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dalmatian versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Dalmatian versus Dogo Argentino     Dalmatian versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Dalmatian versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Dalmatian versus Norfolk Terrier     Dalmatian versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Dalmatian versus Greyhound     Dalmatian versus Shihpoo     Dalmatian versus Scottish Deerhound     Dalmatian versus Flat-Coated Retriever     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Carolina Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus American Water Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Papillon     Lancashire Heeler versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Puli     Lancashire Heeler versus Border Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Akita     Lancashire Heeler versus Boxer     

    Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.