A Detailed Comparison of the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Kai Ken Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken or the Lancashire Heeler.

Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Kai Ken 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.

Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler

Factor Kai Ken Lancashire Heeler
Life Span 12 to 16 years 9 to 14 years
Height 17 to 22 inches 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 14.0 years 11.5 years
Price Range No Data $200 – $200
Average Price No Data $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken. 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 Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler.

    Kai Kens weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Kai Kens are 17 to 22 inches 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 Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of Kai Kens is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Kai Kens is 14.0 years.

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

    Kai Kens live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Health Problems of Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken 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 more genetic health problems than the Kai Ken.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lancashire Heeler than for the Kai Ken.

    2 health tests are recommended for Kai Ken while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Kai Kens and in Lancashire Heelers.

    Kai Ken Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Kai Kens 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: Kai Ken versus Lancashire Heeler

    Kai Kens can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Kai Kens shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Kai Kens shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Kai Ken or the Lancashire Heeler

    Kai Kens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Kai Ken or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Kai Ken Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Kai Kens can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Kai Ken vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Kai Kens good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Kens and Lancashire Heelers?

    Kai Kens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Kai Ken Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens are fairly easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Is the Kai Ken Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Kai Ken or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Kai Kens 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 Kai Ken

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken:

  • Icelandic Sheepdog (78 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Icelandic Sheepdog.
  • Kishu Ken (79 percent match with Kai Ken). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Kishu Ken.
  • 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 Kai Ken vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Kai Ken vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Kai Ken Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Kai Ken versus Dogo Argentino     Kai Ken versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Kai Ken versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Kai Ken versus Silky Terrier     Kai Ken versus Pomchi     Kai Ken versus Lhasapoo     Kai Ken versus Skye Terrier     Kai Ken versus Cesky Terrier     Kai Ken versus Japanese Chin     Kai Ken versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Kai Ken versus Chow Chow     Kai Ken versus Finnish Lapphund     Kai Ken versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Kai Ken versus Irish Wolfhound     Kai Ken versus Cane Corso     Kai Ken versus Miniature Schnauzer     Kai Ken versus Gordon Setter     Kai Ken versus Black Russian Terrier     Kai Ken versus Bluetick Coonhound     Kai Ken versus Lowchen     Kai Ken versus Scottish Terrier     Kai Ken versus Rottweiler     Kai Ken versus Shihpoo     Kai Ken versus Bulldog     Kai Ken versus American Eskimo Dog     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lancashire Heeler versus Harrier     Lancashire Heeler versus King Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus American Foxhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Black Russian Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus Shichon     Lancashire Heeler versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus Finnish Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Whippet     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lancashire Heeler versus Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Affenhuahua     Lancashire Heeler versus Ibizan Hound     Lancashire Heeler versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Manchester Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Cockapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Lancashire Heeler versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Lancashire Heeler versus English Cocker Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Shiba Inu     

    Conclusion: Kai Ken 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 Kai Ken and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.