The Lancashire Heeler is generally a very healthy, long-lived dog.
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.
Click on the link below for further information on the eye problems and the importance of screening, both as puppies and annually as adults:
The Kennel Club has an informative guide on Breeding for Health – Responsible breeders will consider the health of their puppies to be a priority, increasing the probability that healthy puppies will go on to live long and happy lives. This guide is made up of a number of different sections on factors to consider when breeding dogs for health.
The Pastoral Breeds Health Foundation actively supports health testing & research into conditions affecting the Pastoral Breeds. The development of health tests is vital to ensure that we have the tools necessary for breeding and promoting animals that are “fit for function”, sound and healthy.
DNA Testing for Lancashire Heelers
When we have puppies we use the following companies to carry out the relevant PLL and CEA dna tests which are easy to use (a cheek swab which is much less invasive than a blood test). Both are recognised by the Kennel Club: