A Detailed Comparison of the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano.

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Lancashire Heeler Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

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

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 Spinone Italiano.

Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

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

Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lancashire Heeler to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

Factor Lancashire Heeler Spinone Italiano
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Weight 13 to 15 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
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 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 14 years 10 to 14 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $200 $1180
Price Range $200 – $200 $1000 – $1000
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 beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Spinone Italiano. 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 Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

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

    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 Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • Lancashire Heelers do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Lancashire Heelers are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Spinone Italianos are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lancashire Heeler and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano

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

    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, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Spinone Italianos live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Lancashire Heeler versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    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 Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Spinone Italiano is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Lancashire Heeler Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $200 $1180
    Price Range $200 to $200 $1000 to $1000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

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

    Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano

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

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Lancashire Heeler while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

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

    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.

    Spinone Italiano Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lancashire Heeler versus Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lancashire Heelers shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lancashire Heeler or the Spinone Italiano

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lancashire Heeler or the Spinone Italiano?

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lancashire Heeler Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    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.

    Spinone Italianos 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.

    Do Lancashire Heelers Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lancashire Heeler vs. Spinone Italiano

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

    Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spinone Italianos 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 Spinone Italiano?

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lancashire Heelers good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lancashire Heelers and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Giant Schnauzer     Lancashire Heeler versus Beaglier     Lancashire Heeler versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Beagle     Lancashire Heeler versus Standard Poodle     Lancashire Heeler versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Frenchton     Lancashire Heeler versus Yorkipoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Puggle     Lancashire Heeler versus Cavachon     Lancashire Heeler versus Swedish Vallhund     Lancashire Heeler versus English Springer Spaniel     Lancashire Heeler versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Lancashire Heeler versus Briard     Lancashire Heeler versus Welsh Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Xoloitzcuintli     Lancashire Heeler versus Berger Picard     Lancashire Heeler versus Akbash     Lancashire Heeler versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Puli     Lancashire Heeler versus Karelian Bear Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Chow Chow     Lancashire Heeler versus American Eskimo Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Bolognese     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Lhasa Apso     Spinone Italiano versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Spinone Italiano versus Kishu Ken     Spinone Italiano versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Spinone Italiano versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Basset Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Lowchen     Spinone Italiano versus Pomchi     Spinone Italiano versus Sloughi     Spinone Italiano versus Pomapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Giant Schnauzer     Spinone Italiano versus Xoloitzcuintli     Spinone Italiano versus Toy Poodle     Spinone Italiano versus Weimaraner     Spinone Italiano versus English Springer Spaniel     Spinone Italiano versus Golden Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Sloughi     Spinone Italiano versus Boxerdoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Pomapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Spinone Italiano versus Cairn Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Australian Kelpie     

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