Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Doberman Pinscher and for the Lancashire Heeler. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Doberman Pinscher or the Lancashire Heeler.

Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Doberman Pinscher belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Lancashire Heeler belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher to the Lancashire Heeler based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler

FactorDoberman PinscherLancashire Heeler
Tolerates Cold Weather1/53/5
Dog Friendly1/53/5
General Health1/54/5
Low Prey Drive5/54/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/54/5
Life Span10 to 13 years9 to 14 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things4/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/52/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Kid-Friendly3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds13 to 15 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$1910$420
Price Range$1100 – $2500$200 – $500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Doberman Pinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Lancashire Heeler. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Doberman Pinscher is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Doberman Pinscher is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler. So, you should get a Doberman Pinscher!

    Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • Doberman Pinschers have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Lancashire Heelers are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Lancashire Heelers do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are most similar:

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler.

    The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Lancashire Heeler weighs 13 to 15 pounds when fully grown. The Lancashire Heeler is 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Doberman Pinscher versus Size of Lancashire Heeler

    Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler

    Doberman Pinscher Colors

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    Lancashire Heeler Colors

    The Lancashire Heeler comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Black
    • Apricot / Beige

    The Lancashire Heeler comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Lancashire Heeler is between 9 to 14 years. The average lifespan of the Lancashire Heeler is 11.5 years.

    The Lancashire Heeler live as long as the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lancashire Heeler puppy is $420. The price of the Lancashire Heeler typically ranges from $200 – $500. However, the price of the Lancashire Heeler can be as low as $200 and as high as $1200. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 8 Lancashire Heeler puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    Doberman Pinscher Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1910 $420
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $200 to $500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Doberman Pinscher and Lancashire Heeler. For different price points, the charts show how many Doberman Pinscher puppies or how many Lancashire Heeler puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    A breakdown of the prices of Lancashire Heelers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Doberman Pinscher puppy or the Lancashire Heeler puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many Lancashire Heelers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Doberman Pinscher named Ricky that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Ricky on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Lancashire Heelers are also available for adoption. For example, Bob is a Male Lancashire Heeler that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Lancashire Heelers like Bob that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Twinkie is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Gunner is an adorable Male Lancashire Heeler on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Doberman Pinschers and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Doberman Pinscher versus Health Problems of Lancashire Heeler

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Doberman Pinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Doberman Pinscher than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    6 health tests are recommended for Doberman Pinscher while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Doberman Pinschers and in Lancashire Heelers.

    Doberman Pinscher Health Problems

    Doberman Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Doberman Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Doberman Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Doberman Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Doberman Pinschers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Doberman Pinschers here.

    Lancashire Heeler Health Problems

    Lancashire Heelers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lancashire Heeler puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Lancashire Heeler puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lancashire Heeler breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Lancashire Heelers for:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Primary Lens Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lancashire Heelers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Lancashire Heelers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Lancashire Heelers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lancashire Heeler

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Lancashire Heelers?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Does the Doberman Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Lancashire Heelers have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    Doberman Pinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Lancashire Heelers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Lancashire Heeler

    Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Lancashire Heelers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

    Lancashire Heelers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Doberman Pinscher or the Lancashire Heeler?

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Lancashire Heelers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Lancashire Heeler. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher versus Portuguese Water Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Doberman Pinscher versus Havanese     Doberman Pinscher versus Akita     Doberman Pinscher versus Shiranian     Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Wolfhound     Doberman Pinscher versus Rottweiler     Doberman Pinscher versus Bernedoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Black Mouth Cur     Doberman Pinscher versus Beaglier     Doberman Pinscher versus Lhasapoo     Doberman Pinscher versus Pug     Doberman Pinscher versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Doberman Pinscher versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Doberman Pinscher versus Bearded Collie     Doberman Pinscher versus Hovawart     Doberman Pinscher versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Norfolk Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus West Highland White Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Sealyham Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Bullmastiff     

    Conclusion: Doberman Pinscher versus Lancashire Heeler. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Doberman Pinscher and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.