Which is Better between the Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke? A Very Detailed Review.

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Lancashire Heeler Versus Schipperke: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke 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 Schipperke. 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 Schipperke.

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 Schipperke.

Lancashire Heeler versus Schipperke: Overview

Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke are similar in size. The Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke are both tiny-sized dogs.

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 Schipperke 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.

Lancashire Heeler versus Schipperke: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lancashire Heeler to the Schipperke 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 Schipperke

Factor Lancashire Heeler Schipperke
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 13 to 15 pounds 11 to 18 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
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 13 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $200 $1170
Price Range $200 – $200 $900 – $1500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • 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 Schipperke. 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 Schipperke is 73 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Lancashire Heeler is a better pet than the Schipperke. 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 Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke

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

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

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

    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, Schipperkes weigh 11 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Schipperkes are 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lancashire Heeler versus Schipperke

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

    The lifespan of Schipperkes is between 13 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Schipperkes is 14.0 years.

    Schipperkes live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Lancashire Heeler versus Price of Schipperke

    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 Schipperke puppy is $1170. The price of the Schipperke typically ranges from $900 – $1500. However, the price of the Schipperke can be as low as $500 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 60 Schipperke puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Schipperke is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Lancashire Heeler Schipperke
    Average Price $200 $1170
    Price Range $200 to $200 $900 to $1500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lancashire Heeler and Schipperke. For different price points, the charts show how many Lancashire Heeler puppies or how many Schipperke 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 Schipperkes

    A breakdown of the prices of Schipperkes

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lancashire Heeler puppy or the Schipperke 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 Schipperke

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lancashire Heelers and many Schipperkes 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, Schipperkes are also available for adoption. For example, Urchin is a Male Schipperke that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Schipperkes like Urchin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lancashire Heeler and the Schipperke 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.

    Also, Jake is an adorable Male Schipperke on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

    Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler versus Health Problems of Schipperke

    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 Schipperke 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 Schipperke is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Lancashire Heeler while 7 tests are recommended for the Schipperke.

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

    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.

    Schipperke Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hips
  • Mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (MPS IIIB)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PennGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Schipperkes here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lancashire Heeler versus Schipperke

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

    Schipperkes can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Lancashire Heelers shed more than Schipperkes?

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Schipperkes shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lancashire Heeler or the Schipperke

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Schipperkes do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lancashire Heeler or the Schipperke?

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Schipperkes are very easy to groom.

    Does the Lancashire Heeler Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Schipperke?

    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.

    Schipperkes 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 Lancashire Heelers Bark and Howl? What about Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Schipperkes Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Schipperkes can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lancashire Heeler vs. Schipperke

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

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

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Schipperkes Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Schipperkes cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Schipperkes do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Lancashire Heelers good family dogs? What about Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lancashire Heelers and Schipperkes?

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

    Schipperkes get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Easier to Train than the Schipperke?

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Schipperkes are not easy to train.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Better for Apartment Owners than the Schipperke?

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Schipperkes adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Schipperkes are not the best dogs 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 Schipperke vs Dalmatian.
  • Boxerdoodle (79 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Hovawart (77 percent match with Lancashire Heeler). Here is our comparison of the Schipperke vs Hovawart.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Schipperke

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

  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Bluetick Coonhound.
  • Miniature Pinscher (75 percent match with Schipperke). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Leonberger     Lancashire Heeler versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Lancashire Heeler versus Boston Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Keeshond     Lancashire Heeler versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lancashire Heeler versus Vizsla     Lancashire Heeler versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Lhasapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Norfolk Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Frenchton     Lancashire Heeler versus Great Pyrenees     Lancashire Heeler versus Jack Russell Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Pointer     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano     Lancashire Heeler versus Cocker Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Mountain Cur     Lancashire Heeler versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus English Toy Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Chinook     Lancashire Heeler versus Skye Terrier     

    Schipperke Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Schipperke versus Mudi     Schipperke versus Dogo Argentino     Schipperke versus German Shepherd Dog     Schipperke versus Chihuahua     Schipperke versus Mountain Cur     Schipperke versus Pharaoh Hound     Schipperke versus Frenchton     Schipperke versus Kai Ken     Schipperke versus Yorkipoo     Schipperke versus Toy Fox Terrier     Schipperke versus Chi-Poo     Schipperke versus Pharaoh Hound     Schipperke versus Lhasa Apso     Schipperke versus Norwegian Buhund     Schipperke versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Schipperke versus Boerboel     Schipperke versus Barbet     Schipperke versus Xoloitzcuintli     Schipperke versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Schipperke versus Bichon Frise     Schipperke versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Schipperke versus Maltese     Schipperke versus Canaan Dog     Schipperke versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Schipperke versus Sloughi     

    Conclusion: Lancashire Heeler versus Schipperke. 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 Schipperke better suits you and your family.