Differences and Similarities between the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Italian Greyhound Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound or the Lancashire Heeler.

Italian Greyhound versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Italian Greyhound is a small-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Italian Greyhound belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Italian Greyhound versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler

Factor Italian Greyhound Lancashire Heeler
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 13 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 14 to 15 years 9 to 14 years
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Weight 6 to 15 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 14.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 $200
Price Range $1500 – $2250 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler. So, you should get the Italian Greyhound!

    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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Italian Greyhounds adapt well to apartment living. However, Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Italian Greyhounds are good for new dog owners. However, Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Italian Greyhound versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler.

    Italian Greyhounds weigh 6 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Italian Greyhounds are 13 to 15 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 Italian Greyhound versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is between 14 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Italian Greyhounds is 14.5 years.

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

    Italian Greyhounds live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Italian Greyhound versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Italian Greyhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Italian Greyhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2250. However, the price of a Italian Greyhound can be as low as $750 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 141 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Italian Greyhound Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1930 $200
    Price Range $1500 to $2250 $200 to $200

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Italian Greyhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Italian Greyhounds. 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound named Massimo (Houston) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Italian Greyhounds like Massimo (Houston) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Italian Greyhounds, 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 Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Beamer (Houston) is the name of another Italian Greyhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Italian Greyhounds and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Italian Greyhound than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    4 health tests are recommended for Italian Greyhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Italian Greyhounds and in Lancashire Heelers.

    Italian Greyhound Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination at 36 months, recommend annual testing to age 10
  • Hip Dysplasia/Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Italian Greyhounds 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: Italian Greyhound versus Lancashire Heeler

    Italian Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Italian Greyhounds shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Italian Greyhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Italian Greyhound or the Lancashire Heeler

    Italian Greyhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Italian Greyhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Italian Greyhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Italian Greyhounds bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Italian Greyhound vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Italian Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Italian Greyhounds 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 Italian Greyhounds and Lancashire Heelers?

    Italian Greyhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Italian Greyhound Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Italian Greyhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Italian Greyhound or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Italian Greyhounds are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Italian Greyhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound:

  • Whippet (78 percent match with Italian Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Whippet.
  • 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 Italian Greyhound vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Italian Greyhound vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Italian Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Italian Greyhound versus Cocker Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Korean Jindo Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Chinese Crested     Italian Greyhound versus Sloughi     Italian Greyhound versus Japanese Chin     Italian Greyhound versus Finnish Lapphund     Italian Greyhound versus Lhasapoo     Italian Greyhound versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Clumber Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Welsh Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Italian Greyhound versus English Toy Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Belgian Malinois     Italian Greyhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Goldador     Italian Greyhound versus Bichon Frise     Italian Greyhound versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Italian Greyhound versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Italian Greyhound versus Boxerdoodle     Italian Greyhound versus American Hairless Terrier     Italian Greyhound versus Shetland Sheepdog     Italian Greyhound versus Portuguese Water Dog     Italian Greyhound versus Irish Wolfhound     Italian Greyhound versus Bichon Frise     Italian Greyhound versus American Hairless Terrier     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Affenpinscher     Lancashire Heeler versus Basenji     Lancashire Heeler versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Norfolk Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Silky Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Chin     Lancashire Heeler versus German Longhaired Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Puli     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Kelpie     Lancashire Heeler versus Chihuahua     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Korean Jindo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Sheepadoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Shiranian     Lancashire Heeler versus Afghan Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Whippet     Lancashire Heeler versus Brittany     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus German Wirehaired Pointer     

    Conclusion: Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.