Lancashire Heeler Dog Names

In 2003, the Lancashire Heeler was put on The Kennel Club’s Endangered Breeds list because of dwindling numbers of breeders and healthy Lancashire Heelers. The breed has rebounded somewhat and has been accepted into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service (AKC FSS) but there are still too few Lancashire Heelers within the United States to promote the breed to full AKC standing. Aasum Lancashire Heelers USA is one of the few breeders within the United States. Dana Wellock showed the first Lancashire Heeler at an AKC sanctioned event in July of 2011 under AKC licensed judge Harriette Borsuch. Aasum Atomic Gnat, or just plain Gnat at home, was shown at the Stumptown Cluster, a 4-6 month puppy match hosted by the Portland Kennel Club. Gnat drew much attention because she was the only Lancashire Heeler at the event and the only known Lancashire Heeler to be shown at an AKC event. Gnat went on to compete in the Miscellaneous Group and won Group First. This was the first step toward any Lancashire Heeler earning points toward an AKC championship.

Dana Wellock of Jefferson, Oregon became enamored with the Lancashire Heeler in 1999 but did not begin her search for her first Lancashire Heeler until 2007. Her search ended in 2010 when she purchased a pair of Lancashire Heelers and partnered with Patricia Lindberg of Salem, Oregon. The first heeler, Mt Brook Atomic Betty At Round Hound, or Bette for short and the second heeler Mt Brook Architect At Round Hound, or Dij for short, are both International Champions and clear for CEA and PLL. Together, Dana and Patricia have worked to get the Lancashire Heeler recognized by the AKC and the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). They have also genetically tested their Lancashire Heelers for Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) and Primary Lens Luxation (PLL), only breeding those dogs with solid genetic clearances as well as excellent breed conformation. Dana and Patricia’s first litter was out of Bette and a male named International Champion Doddsline Trever. Trever is also genetically clear of CEA and PLL. There were four puppies and Gnat was one of those puppies. The gene pool for Lancashire Heeler breeders within the United States is even more limited than the United Kingdom and some breeders have even begun importing and exporting between the two countries in an effort to expand the gene pool and preserve this adorable, yet feisty little herding breed.