German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer is a large-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Wirehaired Pointer 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.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

Factor German Wirehaired Pointer Lancashire Heeler
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 14 years 9 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $990 $200
Price Range $800 – $1200 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

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

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

    The Similarities Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to train.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler.

    German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 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.

    Lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is 13.0 years.

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy is $990. The price of the German Wirehaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a German Wirehaired Pointer can be as low as $250 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $990 $200
    Price Range $800 to $1200 $200 to $200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers. 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer named Gunner that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Wirehaired Pointers like Gunner on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Wirehaired Pointers, 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Finn is the name of another German Wirehaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    German Wirehaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Wirehaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Wirehaired Pointer than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    6 health tests are recommended for German Wirehaired Pointer while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Wirehaired Pointers and in Lancashire Heelers.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Wirehaired Pointers 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: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler

    German Wirehaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Wirehaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    German Wirehaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Wirehaired Pointer vs. Lancashire Heeler

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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.

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are German Wirehaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer:

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 German Wirehaired Pointer vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Sussex Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Siberian Husky     German Wirehaired Pointer versus German Longhaired Pointer     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Maltese     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Karelian Bear Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Greyhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Chinese Shar-Pei     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Borzoi     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Papipoo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Spanish Mastiff     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Foxhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pyredoodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Tibetan Mastiff     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Akbash     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Patterdale Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Curly-Coated Retriever     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Stabyhoun     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shiba Inu     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Dutch Shepherd     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lancashire Heeler versus Belgian Malinois     Lancashire Heeler versus Boxerdoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Sussex Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Goldador     Lancashire Heeler versus Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Spanish Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Toy Poodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Boykin Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Aussiedoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Silky Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Kuvasz     Lancashire Heeler versus Valley Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Norwegian Lundehund     Lancashire Heeler versus Border Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Berger Picard     Lancashire Heeler versus German Shorthaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.