the origin of breed are unknown, however it is accepted that a type of welsh corgi was used to drive livestock to the north west of england from wales. in the ormskirk area, a type of black and tan terrier called the manchester terrier was introduced which resulted in what is now known as the lancashire heeler. the breed has been known in its home county for over a hundred and fifty years as a general purpose farm dog, capable of both ratting and herding cattle.