Lakeland Terrier

The coat can be single-coloured (red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue or black) or bi-coloured (black and tan, or blue and tan).

The fur is short.

The fur is dense with a rough texture and a good undercoat.

The eyes are dark or hazel-coloured.

The Lakeland Terrier is a bright, work-fit, balanced and compact dog. The head has a flat, refined skull, powerful jaws and a wide snout. The eyes are dark or hazel. The ears are small and "V" shaped; these are always twitching with cheerfulness. The neck has a good length, and is slightly arched. The body is slightly narrow, the back is short and elevated. The limbs are muscular and perfectly level. The tail moves joyfully, and never curls or moves over the back.

The Lakeland Terrier is described as a small dog that is sure of himself but remains, all the same, attached to his social group, with whom he is friendly and cheerful.

He generally gets along well with children because he enjoys playing with them. However, attention must be paid to chasing games, which may awaken this hound’s hunting instinct.

As with most Terriers, the Lakeland is fearless, fiery and full of energy, especially as a puppy.

He is very aware of his surroundings, and so he is very bright, which makes him a very clever dog with whom it is pleasant to interact.

The Lakeland Terrier is a versatile hunter, who is as comfortable in water while hunting otter as on land when hunting a fox. He is a stubborn, determined and courageous hunter.

He is loyal to and protective of his social group, and so is naturally suspicious of strangers. He doesn't easily trust people he doesn’t know and keeps his distance until introductions are made.

The Lakeland is a rather solitary and independent dog. Although he is attached to his social group, he can flourish without them.

This very active dog will only be able to withstand the absence of his masters if his exercise needs are met. This terrier will not necessarily suffer from separation anxiety, but rather boredom or frustration.

Otherwise, if his needs are met before and after each period of absence (which should not be too long), he can cope with loneliness without problem. Having an activity to keep him busy can be helpful.

Obstinate in nature, it is sometimes difficult to make the Lakeland Terrier cooperate because he is far from docile or submissive.

Thus, a firm, coherent, early and attentive education is necessary to achieve a satisfactory relationship with this dog.

Although he likes to delight his master, his strong temperament and his cunning instincts sometimes make him forget what the rules are. It is therefore necessary to never surrender anything to him and to offer regular treats when training.

This dog can be very noisy, especially if he is working, if an intruder is approaching, or if he is bored.

His hunting instinct is strong. If he lives in the countryside, it is important to secure his outdoor environment with a good fence to prevent him from running away.

This dog is uncontrollable and destructive only if his energy spending needs are neglected.

He is no more greedy than any other dog - usually the Lakeland Terrier is reasonable when it comes to food. However, he will respond well to treats during training.

Despite his small size, the Patterdale Terrier, as he was once called, can be a good, brave and fearless guard.

Sometimes stubborn, this terrier is not necessarily the best dog for first-time owners. However, his small size, joviality, and desire to do well can delight those who choose to invest in their new companion’s training.

Being able to live both indoors and outdoors, the Lakeland does not care about where he sleeps: an apartment or a house with a garden. The most important thing for him is that he is able to exercise enough every day.

The Lakeland has a lot of energy to release, like all Terriers. He is a passionate and hard-working dog who can spend hours following a track, since his stamina and strength are remarkable.

In fact, if he does not hunt, he should be kept by active owners who are willing to meet his needs for exercise, through daily walks and regular canine activities (Cani-Cross, agility, tracking, dog free-styling, etc.).

His small size might suggest that transport and travel are easy; however, this can be complicated due to this breed’s anxiety.

Training, mixed with early socialisation, can make taking the Lakeland on trips more feasible.

Small pets, such as cats or rodents, are never welcome in the home of this terrier. Indeed, his strong hunting instinct can make cohabitation very difficult and diminish any hope of a serene household.

In order for him to coexist with his peers, he needs to be socialised from a young age. This dog often triggers fights due to his energy, vivacity, and recklessness.

He gets along pretty well with children but, like any Terrier, patience is not one of his qualities. It is therefore important to ensure that children learn to leave the dog alone and to avoid considering him as a toy.

This dog is far too active and agitated for those elderly people who can’t fully meet their needs. He needs masters that are very athletic and active.

Hair loss is moderate, especially if the coat is regularly brushed. This dog does not suffer from excessive annual shedding.

The Lakeland’s lifespan is estimated at 14 years.

The Lakeland Terrier is very sturdy and durable. He lives for very long time and is generally very healthy.

If yours is a working dog, you should avoid exploiting him too much when it's hot. He is so determined and obstinate that he could drive himself to exhaustion, because he doesn’t know when to stop.

His coat gives him perfect protection against bad weather, allowing him to live outside.

His dynamism allows him to burn off excess calories quickly, so he is not generally affected by weight problems.

• Eye diseases (glaucoma, cataracts)
• Dermatological problems (allergies)
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease
• Hypothyroidism

This breed owes its name to the strait formed by the Lakes of the north-western English coast. In this region, the breed developed mainly out of necessity and not for sporting reasons as was the case with most Terriers. In fact, the Lakes region was populated by foxes with a higher-than-average size, who devoured chickens, rabbits, and deer. Fox-hunting was impossible in these inaccessible lands and it was therefore necessary to breed dogs for the hunt: these were the Lakeland Terrier’s ancestors. Several Terriers have participated in the creation of the breed we know today: The Bedlington Terrier, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Border Terrier, the Fox Terrier and the Airedale Terrier.  The first standard of the Lakeland was written in 1912 and the English Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1921. It was only in 1954 that the CFI officially recognised the breed.