Which is Better between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler?

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Lancashire Heeler: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shorthaired Pointer is a medium-sized dog while the Lancashire Heeler is a tiny-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerLancashire Heeler
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/53/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years9 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/53/5
Does NOT Drool4/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
General Health3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/54/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Easygoing2/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Dog Friendly4/53/5
Does NOT chew on things2/54/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds13 to 15 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$1140$420
Price Range$800 – $1300$200 – $500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Lancashire Heeler is 78 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Lancashire Heeler, we still believe that the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because German Shorthaired Pointers are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the German Shorthaired Pointer will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the German Shorthaired Pointer :-). We are for the German Shorthaired Pointer. So get a German Shorthaired Pointer!

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Lancashire Heelers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are most similar:

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 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 German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Lancashire Heeler

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler

    German Shorthaired Pointer Colors

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • 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 German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 13.5 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 German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Lancashire Heeler.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Lancashire Heeler

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is more expensive than the Lancashire Heeler.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Lancashire Heeler
    Average Price $1140 $420
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $200 to $500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Lancashire Heeler

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointer named Blue that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Blue on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rodney is the name of another German Shorthaired Pointer (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.

    German Shorthaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is prone to more genetic health problems than the Lancashire Heeler.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the German Shorthaired Pointer than for the Lancashire Heeler.

    7 health tests are recommended for German Shorthaired Pointer while 3 tests are recommended for the Lancashire Heeler.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shorthaired Pointers and in Lancashire Heelers.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Health Problems

    German Shorthaired Pointers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointers for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shorthaired Pointers 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: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Lancashire Heeler

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Lancashire Heelers?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Lancashire Heelers shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Lancashire Heelers are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Lancashire Heelers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Lancashire Heelers are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Lancashire Heelers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Lancashire Heelers?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Lancashire Heelers?

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Lancashire Heelers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Lancashire Heeler

    German Shorthaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lancashire Heelers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lancashire Heelers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Lancashire Heeler?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Gordon Setter     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyrenean Mastiff     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cockapoo     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Doberman Pinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Morkie     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Sealyham Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Korean Jindo Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Frenchton     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cavachon     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Briard     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Norwegian Buhund     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Lancashire Heeler better suits you and your family.