Breed Comparison: English Springer Spaniel Versus Lancashire Heeler

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English Springer Spaniel Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel or the Lancashire Heeler

English Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the English Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

English Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 10 inches tall at the 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 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
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Weight 45 to 55 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1310 $200
Price Range $950 – $1600 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Canine Good Citizen Certification
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • DNA Bank
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • FUCOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PFK
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lancashire Heeler is not better or worse than the English Springer Spaniel. So, you can get the Lancashire Heeler or the English Springer Spaniel!

    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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • English Springer Spaniels have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Lancashire Heelers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of English Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler.

    English Springer Spaniels weigh 45 to 55 pounds when fully grown. English Springer Spaniels are 1 foot, 6 inches to 1 foot, 10 inches tall at the 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 English Springer Spaniel versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the English Springer Spaniel puppy is $1310. The price of the English Springer Spaniel typically ranges from $950 – $1600. However, the price of a English Springer Spaniel can be as low as $500 and as high as $3300. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 334 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    English Springer Spaniel Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1310 $200
    Price Range $950 to $1600 $200 to $200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of English Springer Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of English Springer Spaniels. 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many English Springer Spaniels 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 English Springer Spaniel named Roscoe that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable English Springer Spaniels like Roscoe on pefinder.com.

    Also, like English Springer Spaniels, 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 English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Waylon-Home Visit In Process is the name of another English Springer Spaniel (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.

    English Springer Spaniels and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more English Springer Spaniels and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the English Springer Spaniel than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    12 health tests are recommended for English Springer Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Springer Spaniels and in Lancashire Heelers.

    English Springer Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Canine Good Citizen Certification
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • DNA Bank
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • FUCOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PFK
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Springer Spaniels 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.

    Is the English Springer Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: English Springer Spaniel versus Lancashire Heeler

    English Springer Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the English Springer Spaniel or the Lancashire Heeler

    English Springer Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the English Springer Spaniel or the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Springer Spaniel or the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    English Springer Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Do English Springer Spaniels shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    English Springer Spaniels shed moderately.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Do English Springer Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    English Springer Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can English Springer Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    English Springer Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: English Springer Spaniel vs. Lancashire Heeler

    English Springer Spaniels 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 English Springer Spaniels good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    English Springer Spaniels 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 English Springer Spaniels and Lancashire Heelers?

    English Springer Spaniels 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 English Springer Spaniel or the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the English Springer Spaniel Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Does the English Springer Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    English Springer Spaniels 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.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Springer Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel:

  • Australian Shepherd (81 percent match with English Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Australian Shepherd.
  • Field Spaniel (84 percent match with English Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Field Spaniel.
  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (82 percent match with English Springer Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
  • 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 English Springer Spaniel vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the English Springer Spaniel vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the English Springer Spaniel vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    English Springer Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    English Springer Spaniel versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     English Springer Spaniel versus Welsh Terrier     English Springer Spaniel versus Chow Chow     English Springer Spaniel versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     English Springer Spaniel versus Beagle     English Springer Spaniel versus Bernedoodle     English Springer Spaniel versus Schnoodle     English Springer Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     English Springer Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     English Springer Spaniel versus Boston Terrier     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bich Poo     Lancashire Heeler versus Chi-Poo     Lancashire Heeler versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasa Apso     Lancashire Heeler versus Miniature Schnauzer     Lancashire Heeler versus Peek A Poo     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Shihpoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Akbash     

    Conclusion: English Springer Spaniel 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 English Springer Spaniel and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.