The Heeler originates from
the county of Lancashire, in the north west of England.
Since the 15th century, it's been known as the dog of
farmers. It's been used for driving cattle and for catching
rats and wild rabbits The Heeler is also known as companions
to race horses, and for helping fishermen to keep birds away
from their catch. The breed is also known for its loyalty to
its owner.
The Heeler is very
"intelligent" and can make many different
sounds when "talking" to its owner. To say that the
breed is "intelligent", isn't the same as saying
that you don't have to raise it or teach it to do
different things. If you don't, it will take things in
"it's own paws", and then you never know what will
happen. The Heeler is a true humorist, and it's fairly
common that it "laughs" by showing its upper row of
teeth. The versatility of the breed has made it very popular
as pet dog. For the pensioner, who wants company when going
out for a walk, as well as for the teenager, who likes
agility and other similar activities.
GENERAL
APPEARANCE: Low set strong and active worker.
CHARACTERISTICS: Works
cattle but has terrier instincts when rabbiting an ratting.
HEAD & SKULL: In
proportion to body. Skull flat and wide between ears,
tapering towards eyes which are set wide apart. Moderate
stop, equidistant between nose and occiput. Tapering
continues towards nose. Skull and muzzle to be on parallel
planes.
EYES: Almond-shaped, medium
size, dark colour. But lighter to the liver & tan colour.
EARS: Showing alert lift, or
erect. Drop ears showing no lift undesirable.
MOUTH: Lips firm. Scissor
bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete
scissors bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower
teeth and set square to the jaws. Under or overshot to be
discouraged.
NECK: Moderate length, well
laid into shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS: Well laid
shoulder, elbows firm against ribs. Amply boned. Pasterns
allow feet to turn slightly outwards, but not enough to cause
weakness or affect freedom of movement.
BODY: Well sprung ribbing,
extending well back with close coupling. Firm level topline,
never dipping at the withers or falling at the crop.
Approximately 2.5 cm ( 1 inch ) longer than height at the
withers. (Measure from withers to set on of tail.)
HINDQUARTERS: Muscular,
hocks well let down. From rear should be parallel, when
moving or standing. Never bandy or cowhocked.
FEET: Small , firm and well
padded.
TAIL: Set on high, left
natural. Carried over back in a slight curve when alert, but
not forming a complete ring.
GAIT/MOVEMENT: Smart and
brisk. Natural free movement.
COAT: Length may vary
slightly depending on the time of year, from a sleek, shiny
short coat to a longer coat showing hair at mane, but never
stand-off.
COLOUR: Black or liver with
rich tan marking on muzzle, spots on cheeks and often above
eyes, from knees downwards, with desirable thumb-mark above
feet, inside hindlegs and under tail. Richness of tan may
fade with age. White to be discouraged, except for a very
small spot on forechest being permitted, but not desire.
SIZE: Height at shoulder:
dogs: 30 cm (12ins) bitches: 25 cm (10ins).
FAULTS: Any departure from
the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the
seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be
in exact proportion to its degree.
NOTE: Male animals should
have tow apparently normal testicles fully descended into the
scrotum.
