Is the Irish Wolfhound Better than the Lancashire Heeler as a Pet? Answer…

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Irish Wolfhound Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

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

Irish Wolfhound versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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 Wolfhound versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

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

Factor Irish Wolfhound Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 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
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 9 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 $200
Price Range $1500 – $2400 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound is 82 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

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

    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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Irish Wolfhounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Lancashire Heelers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Irish Wolfhounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 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 Irish Wolfhounds.

    Price of Irish Wolfhound versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of a Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Irish Wolfhound Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1930 $200
    Price Range $1500 to $2400 $200 to $200

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds. 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 Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound named Action Jackson that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Wolfhounds like Action Jackson on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Irish Wolfhounds, 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Tex is the name of another Irish Wolfhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound 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 Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Lancashire Heeler.

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

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

    Irish Wolfhound Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound versus Lancashire Heeler

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

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

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Irish Wolfhounds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get 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 Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhounds and Lancashire Heelers?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Wolfhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Irish Wolfhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Irish Wolfhound

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

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Cavapoo.
  • 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 Wolfhound vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Irish Wolfhound versus English Cocker Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Standard Poodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Black Russian Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Cavapoo     Irish Wolfhound versus Border Collie     Irish Wolfhound versus German Pinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Norfolk Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Bolognese     Irish Wolfhound versus Australian Shepherd     Irish Wolfhound versus Bich Poo     Irish Wolfhound versus German Longhaired Pointer     Irish Wolfhound versus Yorkshire Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus German Shepherd Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Toy Fox Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Redbone Coonhound     Irish Wolfhound versus Pekingese     Irish Wolfhound versus Coton de Tulear     Irish Wolfhound versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Irish Wolfhound versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Irish Wolfhound versus Shiba Inu     Irish Wolfhound versus Mal Shi     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Valley Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Azawakh     Lancashire Heeler versus Bluetick Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Newfoundland     Lancashire Heeler versus Great Dane     Lancashire Heeler versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Boxer     Lancashire Heeler versus Sealyham Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Pomapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Brittany     Lancashire Heeler versus Bracco Italiano     Lancashire Heeler versus Alaskan Malamute     Lancashire Heeler versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Pekingese     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Kai Ken     Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Afghan Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Kooikerhondje     Lancashire Heeler versus Biewer Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus American Eskimo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Shihpoo     Lancashire Heeler versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

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