Is the Lancashire Heeler Better than the West Highland White Terrier as a Pet? Answer…

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Lancashire Heeler Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier.

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 West Highland White Terrier.

Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog while the West Highland White Terrier is a small-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 West Highland White Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lancashire Heeler to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier

Factor Lancashire Heeler West Highland White Terrier
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 13 to 15 pounds 13 to 22 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
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 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
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 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Life Span 9 to 14 years 12 to 16 years
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $200 $2220
Price Range $200 – $200 $1600 – $2700
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the West Highland White Terrier is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler. So, you should get the West Highland White Terrier!

    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 West Highland White Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier

    The Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier are most similar:

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

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier.

    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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier

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

    The lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.

    West Highland White Terriers live longer than Lancashire Heelers.

    Price of Lancashire Heeler versus Price of West Highland White Terrier

    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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Lancashire Heeler West Highland White Terrier
    Average Price $200 $2220
    Price Range $200 to $200 $1600 to $2700

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lancashire Heeler and West Highland White Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Lancashire Heeler puppies or how many West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers

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

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Lancashire Heelers and many West Highland White Terriers 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 Harvey that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Lancashire Heelers like Harvey on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Lancashire Heelers, West Highland White Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Harvey is a Male West Highland White Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more West Highland White Terriers like Harvey that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Lancashire Heeler and the West Highland White Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Also, Asner In Tx is an adorable Male West Highland White Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Lancashire Heelers and West Highland White Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Lancashire Heelers and West Highland White Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler versus Health Problems of West Highland White Terrier

    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 West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Lancashire Heeler.

    3 health tests are recommended for Lancashire Heeler while 3 tests are recommended for the West Highland White Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Lancashire Heelers and in West Highland White Terriers.

    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.

    West Highland White Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for West Highland White Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lancashire Heelers shed more than West Highland White Terriers?

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Lancashire Heeler or the West Highland White Terrier

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lancashire Heeler or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Lancashire Heeler Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White Terrier?

    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.

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lancashire Heeler vs. West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terrier?

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lancashire Heelers good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lancashire Heelers and West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Lancashire Heeler Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lancashire Heeler or the West Highland White Terrier?

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White Terrier 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 West Highland White Terrier:

  • Bearded Collie (82 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Bearded Collie.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (84 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Lancashire Heeler vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Lancashire Heeler Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lancashire Heeler versus Cavapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Papipoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Airedale Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus Kai Ken     Lancashire Heeler versus Cavapoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Bullmastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Shihpoo     Lancashire Heeler versus German Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Japanese Spitz     Lancashire Heeler versus Manchester Terrier     Lancashire Heeler versus German Shepherd Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Lancashire Heeler versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Lancashire Heeler versus Scottish Deerhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Shihpoo     Lancashire Heeler versus Leonberger     Lancashire Heeler versus Whippet     Lancashire Heeler versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Lancashire Heeler versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Keeshond     Lancashire Heeler versus Redbone Coonhound     Lancashire Heeler versus Dogo Argentino     Lancashire Heeler versus Kerry Blue Terrier     

    West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    West Highland White Terrier versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Afghan Hound     West Highland White Terrier versus Afador     West Highland White Terrier versus Sloughi     West Highland White Terrier versus American Eskimo Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Bernese Mountain Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus Maltese     West Highland White Terrier versus Kai Ken     West Highland White Terrier versus Plott     West Highland White Terrier versus Border Collie     West Highland White Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     West Highland White Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Great Dane     West Highland White Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     West Highland White Terrier versus Boxerdoodle     West Highland White Terrier versus Cocker Spaniel     West Highland White Terrier versus Chihuahua     West Highland White Terrier versus Welsh Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Spanish Mastiff     West Highland White Terrier versus Boxer     West Highland White Terrier versus Cockapoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Berger Picard     West Highland White Terrier versus Pomsky     West Highland White Terrier versus Bouvier des Flandres     West Highland White Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     

    Conclusion: Lancashire Heeler versus West Highland White Terrier. 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.