American Kennel Club Recognizes Lancashire Heeler as New Breed
A new breed of dog – the Lancashire heeler – has joined the 200 other official breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.
The new guy is a “sturdy little dog with a short, weather-resistant coat of black and tan or liver and tan, they are affectionate with their owners, always happy, talkative and always ready for a walk,” according to the AKC website.
To win the AKC’s official recognition, a breed must have a three-generation pedigree, a minimum population of 300, spread across at least 20 US states. Meeting that threshold, the breed must then be approved by AKC staff.
“The breed is different, but in a good way,” says Jeff Kestner of the US Lancashire Heeler Club. “It’s not a run-of-the-mill dog. Its eyes and expression are like magnets. Being a herding breed, it is extremely intelligent — it definitely needs a job to do.”
The breed has been recognized by the UK’s Kennel Club since 1981, but its backstory is mostly unknown. Likely the dog’s ancestry includes a type of livestock-driving Welsh corgi and the Manchester terrier. In 2003, the club listed the pup on its Endangered Breeds list, due to a dwindling gene pool and its risk of heritable disease.
On this side of the pond, there are about 400 of the new guys. They are now eligible to start competing in the AKC’s competitions, especially in the herding events. Welcome aboard.
United States Lancashire Heeler Club
Photo credit: Vera Reva / AKC
