Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Irish Setter Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter or the Lancashire Heeler.

Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Irish Setter 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.

Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler

Factor Irish Setter Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
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
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 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 $1680 $200
Price Range $1200 – $2200 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter. 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Irish Setters are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Irish Setters are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Lancashire Heelers are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to train.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 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 Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters 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.

    Irish Setters live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Irish Setter Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1680 $200
    Price Range $1200 to $2200 $200 to $200

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter named Oliver & Maggie Together Only that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Setters like Oliver & Maggie Together Only on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Gordon – 831 is the name of another Irish Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

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

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

    Health Problems of Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter.

    3 health tests are recommended for Irish Setter while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

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

    Irish Setter Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters 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: Irish Setter versus Lancashire Heeler

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Irish Setters shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Setters shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Setter or the Lancashire Heeler

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Setters 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.

    Can Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters and Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Irish Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter

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

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs English Setter.
  • 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 Irish Setter vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus Yorkipoo     Irish Setter versus American Bulldog     Irish Setter versus Aussiedoodle     Irish Setter versus Gordon Setter     Irish Setter versus Manchester Terrier     Irish Setter versus Standard Poodle     Irish Setter versus Cockapoo     Irish Setter versus Brussels Griffon     Irish Setter versus Pomeranian     Irish Setter versus Cavachon     Irish Setter versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Setter versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Irish Setter versus Great Dane     Irish Setter versus Chihuahua     Irish Setter versus Airedale Terrier     Irish Setter versus Greyhound     Irish Setter versus Norwegian Lundehund     Irish Setter versus Boston Terrier     Irish Setter versus Great Dane     Irish Setter versus Biewer Terrier     Irish Setter versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Irish Setter versus Australian Cattle Dog     Irish Setter versus Siberian Husky     Irish Setter versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Irish Setter versus Manchester Terrier     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Berger Picard     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Finnish Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Yorkshire Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus American Eskimo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Maltipoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Plott     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockalier     Lancashire Heeler versus American Foxhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Barbet     Lancashire Heeler versus Akita     Lancashire Heeler versus Mountain Cur     Lancashire Heeler versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockalier     Lancashire Heeler versus Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Sloughi     Lancashire Heeler versus Cavachon     Lancashire Heeler versus Afghan Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Aussiedoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Miniature Pinscher     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernedoodle     

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