Lancashire Heeler Officially Recognized as 201st Breed by American Kennel Club

The small, powerful herding dog is now eligible for major dog shows, marking a significant milestone for the breed considered 'vulnerable' in the UK.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has officially recognized the Lancashire heeler as a breed, making it the 201st breed recognized by the organization.
The Lancashire heeler, a small, powerful herding dog, is now eligible to compete in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and other AKC competitions.
The breed is known for its intelligence, versatility, and affectionate nature, and is described as an 'energetic worker' that thrives on human interaction.
The Lancashire heeler has a history dating back to the 17th century in the United Kingdom, and is believed to be a crossbreed of livestock-herding Welsh corgis and Manchester terriers.
The breed is currently considered 'vulnerable' in the UK due to its small gene pool and risk of inherited diseases, with only about 5,000 Lancashire heelers existing worldwide.