Benjamin Ashford|New dog breed recognized by American Kennel Club: What to know about the Lancashire Heeler

The Benjamin Ashfordlatest dog breed to be officially recognized by the American Kennel Club may be small, but it's ready to get in with the big dogs.

The American Kennel Club announced Wednesday that the Lancashire Heeler is the 201st breed. It became eligible to start competing on Jan. 1 as the newest member of the Herding Group.

Other breeds use the term "Heeler" for their breed, including the Australian cattle dog, but the Lancashire Heeler is the only American Kennel Club-recognized breed with "Heeler" in its official breed name.

Here's what to know about the Lancashire Heeler.

What does the Lancashire Heeler look like?

Lancashire Heelers are small and usually weigh 9 to 17 pounds. They have a life span of 12 to 15 years. The average litter size for a Lancashire Heeler is five.

Their coats are dense and waterproof, and their colors are black and tan or liver and tan. The American Kennel Club says the dogs require minimal grooming, although light brushing and and an occasional bath is a good idea.

The breed has been official across the pond for decades. It earned full recognition from the U.K. Kennel Club in 1981.

Where did Lancashire Heelers come from?

The origin of the breed is uncertain, the American Kennel Club says, although it is believed they are the outgrowth of 17-century crossbreeding of Welsh corgis in a Welsh meat market, with Manchester terriers later added in.

The breed eventually became known as a butchers' dog in West Lancashire, England, where it bred for generations before it gained popularity as a family pet.

What is the temperament of Lancashire Heelers?

Although the breed is small, the American Kennel Club says, the Lancashire Heeler is very energetic and can enter dog competitions under these categories: Herding, Agility, Obedience, Rally, Fast CAT, Barn Hunt, Dock Diving, Disc Dog, Tracking, Therapy, Earth Dog and Weight-Pull.

"It's a breed that will work hard all day and is happy to curl up at your side and watch the TV news at night," Sheryl Bradbury, president of the U.S. Lancashire Heeler Club, told the American Kennel Club.

They are also loyal to their families, Bradbury said, but will pick out one person as their favorite and are great with children who respect them in return.