Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever 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.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1350 $200
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever. So, you can get the Lancashire Heeler or the Flat-Coated Retriever!

    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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Flat-Coated Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are most similar:

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet 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 Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1350 $200
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $200 to $200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever named Palisade that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Flat-Coated Retrievers like Palisade on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Flat-Coated Retrievers, 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Kaluha is the name of another Flat-Coated Retriever (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.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the Flat-Coated Retriever.

    3 health tests are recommended for Flat-Coated Retriever while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Flat-Coated Retrievers and in Lancashire Heelers.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retrievers and Lancashire Heelers?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers 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 Flat-Coated Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). 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 Flat-Coated Retriever vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus English Cocker Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Toy Fox Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Chi-Poo     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Terrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus French Bulldog     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Bearded Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Gordon Setter     Lancashire Heeler versus Kooikerhondje     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Akbash     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever 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 Flat-Coated Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.