A Detailed Comparison of the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Golden Retriever Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

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

Golden Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Golden 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.

Golden Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Golden 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.

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

Factor Golden Retriever Lancashire Heeler
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
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
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 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 75 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1870 $200
Price Range $1500 – $2200 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Golden 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 the Golden Retriever is 73 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 Golden Retriever. 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 Golden 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 Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Lancashire Heelers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Golden Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Golden Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Lancashire Heelers are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Golden Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Golden Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    Golden Retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Golden Retrievers are 21 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.

    Lifespan of Golden Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Golden Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Golden Retrievers is 11.0 years.

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

    Lancashire Heelers live longer than Golden Retrievers.

    Price of Golden Retriever versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Golden Retriever puppy is $1870. The price of the Golden Retriever typically ranges from $1500 – $2200. However, the price of a Golden Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2668 Golden 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 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 Golden Retriever is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Golden Retriever Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1870 $200
    Price Range $1500 to $2200 $200 to $200

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Golden 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 Golden 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 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 Golden Retriever versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Marley is the name of another Golden Retriever (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.

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

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

    Health Problems of Golden Retriever 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 Golden 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 Golden Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

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

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

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

    Golden Retriever Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination (evaluations annually for the dog`s lifetime)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Golden 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Golden Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

    Golden Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Golden Retrievers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Golden Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Golden Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler

    Golden Retrievers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Golden Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler?

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

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Golden Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Golden 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.

    Do Golden Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Golden Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Golden Retriever vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Can Golden Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Golden Retrievers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Golden Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Golden Retrievers good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Golden 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 Golden Retrievers and Lancashire Heelers?

    Golden Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Golden Retriever Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Golden Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Golden Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Golden Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retriever

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

  • Aussiedoodle (74 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Irish Setter (72 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Irish Setter.
  • Labrador Retriever (75 percent match with Golden Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Labrador 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:

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

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

    Golden Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Golden Retriever versus English Springer Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Mal Shi     Golden Retriever versus Greyhound     Golden Retriever versus Harrier     Golden Retriever versus Sussex Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Spinone Italiano     Golden Retriever versus Labrador Retriever     Golden Retriever versus Mastiff     Golden Retriever versus Beaglier     Golden Retriever versus Yorkshire Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Clumber Spaniel     Golden Retriever versus Toy Fox Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Golden Retriever versus Mudi     Golden Retriever versus Kai Ken     Golden Retriever versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Golden Retriever versus Carolina Dog     Golden Retriever versus Mudi     Golden Retriever versus Boxerdoodle     Golden Retriever versus Bouvier des Flandres     Golden Retriever versus Australian Shepherd     Golden Retriever versus Portuguese Water Dog     Golden Retriever versus Kooikerhondje     Golden Retriever versus Keeshond     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus King Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Chorkie     Lancashire Heeler versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Sealyham Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Pomapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus French Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus Cairn Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Welsh Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Boston Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Carolina Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Havanese     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Clumber Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Bouvier des Flandres     Lancashire Heeler versus Fila Brasileiro     Lancashire Heeler versus Norfolk Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Yorkshire Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     

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