Differences and Similarities between the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

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Labrador Retriever Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Labrador Retriever and for the Lancashire Heeler. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Labrador Retriever or the Lancashire Heeler.

Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Labrador Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Lancashire Heeler belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Labrador Retriever to the Lancashire Heeler based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

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

Factor Labrador Retriever Lancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Height 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 2/5
Easy To Train 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1290 $200
Price Range $850 – $1500 $200 – $200
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Centronuclear Myopathy
  • D Locus (Dilute) DNA Test
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • prcd-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 Labrador Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lancashire Heeler. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Labrador Retriever is 74 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 Labrador Retriever. So, you should get the Lancashire Heeler!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Labrador Retrievers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Labrador Retrievers are prone to nip and chew at things. However, Lancashire Heelers are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler

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

  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

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

    Labrador Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Labrador Retrievers are 21 to 24 inches 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 Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

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

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

    Lancashire Heelers live longer than Labrador Retrievers.

    Price of Labrador Retriever versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Labrador Retriever puppy is $1290. The price of the Labrador Retriever typically ranges from $850 – $1500. However, the price of a Labrador Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1413 Labrador Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $200. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $200. However, the price of the Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Labrador Retriever is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Labrador Retriever Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1290 $200
    Price Range $850 to $1500 $200 to $200

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Labrador Retriever puppy or the Lancashire Heeler puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Labrador Retriever versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Labrador Retrievers and many Lancashire Heelers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Labrador Retriever named Kristoff that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Labrador Retrievers like Kristoff on pefinder.com.

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

    Yukon Cornelius is the name of another Labrador Retriever (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.

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

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

    Health Problems of Labrador Retriever versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Labrador Retriever is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

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

    8 health tests are recommended for Labrador Retriever while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

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

    Labrador Retriever Health Problems

    Labrador Retrievers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Labrador Retriever puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Labrador Retriever puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Labrador Retriever breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Labrador Retrievers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Centronuclear Myopathy
  • D Locus (Dilute) DNA Test
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • prcd-PRA DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Labrador Retrievers here.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler

    Labrador Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Labrador Retrievers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

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

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

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

    Labrador Retrievers drool moderately.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Labrador Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

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

    Labrador Retrievers 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.

    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 Labrador Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Labrador Retrievers 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 Labrador Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Labrador Retrievers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Labrador Retriever vs. Lancashire Heeler

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

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

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

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

    Labrador Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Labrador Retrievers and Lancashire Heelers?

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

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

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

    Labrador Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Labrador Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Labrador Retrievers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Labrador Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Labrador Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Labrador Retriever:

  • Golden Retriever (75 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Golden Retriever.
  • Aussiedoodle (73 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Aussiedoodle.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (77 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (79 percent match with Labrador Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • 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 Labrador Retriever vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Labrador Retriever vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Labrador Retriever vs Hovawart.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Labrador Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Labrador Retriever versus Maltipoo     Labrador Retriever versus Japanese Spitz     Labrador Retriever versus Australian Terrier     Labrador Retriever versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Labrador Retriever versus Cavapoo     Labrador Retriever versus Harrier     Labrador Retriever versus Bearded Collie     Labrador Retriever versus Australian Shepherd     Labrador Retriever versus Mastiff     Labrador Retriever versus Korean Jindo Dog     Labrador Retriever versus French Bulldog     Labrador Retriever versus Maltese     Labrador Retriever versus Bichon Frise     Labrador Retriever versus Kai Ken     Labrador Retriever versus Canaan Dog     Labrador Retriever versus Bull Terrier     Labrador Retriever versus Whoodle     Labrador Retriever versus Yorkshire Terrier     Labrador Retriever versus Peek A Poo     Labrador Retriever versus Goldador     Labrador Retriever versus Bouvier des Flandres     Labrador Retriever versus Yorkipoo     Labrador Retriever versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Labrador Retriever versus Saint Bernard     Labrador Retriever versus Berger Picard     

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Newfoundland     Lancashire Heeler versus Bedlington Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Sheepadoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus American Water Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Lancashire Heeler versus Coton de Tulear     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano     Lancashire Heeler versus Saint Berdoodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Akita Chow     Lancashire Heeler versus Coton de Tulear     Lancashire Heeler versus Swedish Vallhund     Lancashire Heeler versus Bearded Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Bearded Collie     Lancashire Heeler versus Italian Greyhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Norfolk Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Havanese     Lancashire Heeler versus Tibetan Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Welsh Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Pomchi     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Newfoundland     Lancashire Heeler versus Saint Bernard     Lancashire Heeler versus Lakeland Terrier     

    Conclusion: Labrador Retriever versus Lancashire Heeler. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Labrador Retriever and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.