Breed Comparison: Lancashire Heeler Versus Portuguese Water Dog

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Lancashire Heeler Versus Portuguese Water Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog? 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lancashire Heeler and for the Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog.

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

Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Portuguese Water Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lancashire Heeler to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog

Factor Lancashire Heeler Portuguese Water Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the
Weight 13 to 15 pounds 35 to 60 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Life Span 9 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $200 $2860
Price Range $200 – $200 $2500 – $3300
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lancashire Heeler 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 Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Portuguese Water Dog is 84 out of 125.

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

    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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog

    Below is a list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are most different:

  • Lancashire Heelers are not prone to nip and chew at things. However, Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • The Similarities Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog

    The Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Lancashire Heelers weigh 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lancashire Heelers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Portuguese Water Dogs weigh 35 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Portuguese Water Dogs are 1 foot, 5 inches to 1 foot, 11 inches tall at the when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    The lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Portuguese Water Dogs is 12.0 years.

    Portuguese Water Dogs live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Lancashire Heeler versus Price of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 a Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 4 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Portuguese Water Dog puppy is $2860. The price of the Portuguese Water Dog typically ranges from $2500 – $3300. However, the price of the Portuguese Water Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 140 Portuguese Water Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Portuguese Water Dog is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Lancashire Heeler Portuguese Water Dog
    Average Price $200 $2860
    Price Range $200 to $200 $2500 to $3300

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Portuguese Water Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lancashire Heeler puppy or the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Lancashire Heeler versus Adopting the Portuguese Water Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lancashire Heelers and many Portuguese Water Dogs 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 Lancashire Heeler named Badger that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lancashire Heelers like Badger on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lancashire Heelers, Portuguese Water Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Ziggy is a Male Portuguese Water Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Portuguese Water Dogs like Ziggy that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Harvey is the name of another Lancashire Heeler (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Lancashire Heelers and Portuguese Water Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler versus Health Problems of Portuguese Water Dog

    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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Portuguese Water Dog than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lancashire Heeler while 11 tests are recommended for the Portuguese Water Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lancashire Heelers and in Portuguese Water Dogs.

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annual exams until age 10
  • GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Univ of Pennsylvania –
  • NYU
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • Sebaceous Adenitis
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Portuguese Water Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lancashire Heelers shed more than Portuguese Water Dogs?

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lancashire Heeler or the Portuguese Water Dog

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Portuguese Water Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lancashire Heeler or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Portuguese Water Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lancashire Heeler Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    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.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Lancashire Heelers Bark and Howl? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Portuguese Water Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lancashire Heeler vs. Portuguese Water Dog

    Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Portuguese Water Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Portuguese Water Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lancashire Heeler or the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lancashire Heelers good family dogs? What about Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lancashire Heelers and Portuguese Water Dogs?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Easier to Train than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Portuguese Water Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Better for Apartment Owners than the Portuguese Water Dog?

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Portuguese Water Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lancashire Heeler or the Portuguese Water Dog?

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

    Portuguese Water Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Portuguese Water Dog vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Portuguese Water Dog vs Hovawart.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Portuguese Water Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Portuguese Water Dog 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 Portuguese Water Dog:

  • Bernedoodle (83 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Bernedoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Portuguese Water Dog). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Chin     Lancashire Heeler versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus American Hairless Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Shiloh Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Cane Corso     Lancashire Heeler versus American Water Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Great Dane     Lancashire Heeler versus Biewer Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Gordon Setter     Lancashire Heeler versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Bolognese     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Chin     Lancashire Heeler versus Basenji     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Shepherd     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Briard     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasa Apso     Lancashire Heeler versus Shichon     Lancashire Heeler versus American Bulldog     Lancashire Heeler versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Lancashire Heeler versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lancashire Heeler versus Dogo Argentino     Lancashire Heeler versus Bloodhound     

    Portuguese Water Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Portuguese Water Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Akbash     Portuguese Water Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Norwich Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Basset Hound     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Bulldog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Portuguese Water Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Kai Ken     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Portuguese Water Dog versus Stabyhoun     Portuguese Water Dog versus French Spaniel     Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomsky     Portuguese Water Dog versus Border Terrier     Portuguese Water Dog versus Affenpinscher     Portuguese Water Dog versus King Shepherd     Portuguese Water Dog versus Mastiff     Portuguese Water Dog versus Australian Cattle Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Canaan Dog     Portuguese Water Dog versus Border Collie     Portuguese Water Dog versus Pomapoo     Portuguese Water Dog versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Portuguese Water Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     

    Conclusion: Lancashire Heeler versus Portuguese Water Dog. 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Portuguese Water Dog better suits you and your family.