Lancashire Heeler Health
Like humans, dogs can suffer from a wide range of health conditions - some of which can be genetic in origin. There has been a lot of adverse publicity regarding genetic health problems in pedigree dogs with many people worried that buying a pure bred dog may result in health issues for the dog and emotional or financial worries for the owner.
In reality one of the main advantages of a pedigree dog is that it should be much more predictable in terms of appearance, temperament and also health issues, whereas mongrels/crossbreeds can also suffer from a mix of inherited health problems and are a lot less predictable in terms of temperament and appearance.
Thankfully Lancashire Heelers are generally a very healthy, long lived breed - many living to the age of 15+ years.
However there are some well-known conditions which can affect them such as diseases of the eye - Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA), Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM), Hereditary Cataracts - and dislocation of the kneecap, Patella Luxation.
Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in the breed. To tackle these issues the Kennel Club advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.
All breeders of Lancashire Heelers should use the following health schemes and tests:
A list of Health Test Results for tested dogs and inbreeding calculators can be found on the Kennel Club website and it is strongly recommended that any prospective Lancashire Heeler owner should check here first or contact the Club Secretary for advice.
The Kennel Club also have breed health co-ordinators who you can contact regarding any health concerns the breed may have.