Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Lancashire Heeler
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Lancashire Heeler Will Have
- How Long is a Lancashire Heeler Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Lancashire Heeler
- Conclusion on Lancashire Heeler Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Lancashire Heeler
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 2 different Lancashire Heeler birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Lancashire Heelers can have is 5 puppies. Also, the Lancashire Heeler can have as few as 4 puppies per litter and as many as 7 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Lancashire Heeler compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Lancashire Heeler Will Have
Lancashire Heeler Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Lancashire Heeler will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Lancashire Heeler is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Lancashire Heeler litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Lancashire Heeler will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Lancashire Heeler
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Lancashire Heeler will have if your Lancashire Heeler gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Lancashire Heeler. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Lancashire Heeler at different ages. This table applies to a Lancashire Heeler that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 puppies | 3 to 4 puppies |
| 3 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 4 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 5 | 4 puppies | 3 to 5 puppies |
| 6 | 4 puppies | 2 to 5 puppies |
| 7 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 8 | 4 puppies | 2 to 6 puppies |
| 9 | 3 puppies | 1 to 6 puppies |
How Long is a Lancashire Heeler Pregnant?
Lancashire Heelers are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Lancashire Heelers can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Lancashire Heeler conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Lancashire Heeler for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Lancashire Heeler
To ensure that your Lancashire Heeler successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Lancashire Heeler well: A good diet will ensure that your Lancashire Heeler has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Lancashire Heeler is in good health: Ensure you take your Lancashire Heeler to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Lancashire Heeler gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
Conclusion on Lancashire Heeler Litter Size
Lancashire Heelers can have 5 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Lancashire Heeler will have depends on factors such as the age of the Lancashire Heeler and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Lancashire Heelers the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Lancashire Heeler. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Lancashire Heeler gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Lancashire Heelers in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.
