Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland Terrier is frisky, feisty, and fun. He is a smart little dog who loves to be the center of his owner's life. A person who understands this vivacious personality can have a lot of fun with a Lakeland. He's got the energy and interest to play with kids tirelessly.

Lakeland Terrier breed facts

The birthplace of the Lakeland Terrier is Cumberland county in England.

Information you should know before owning a Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland Terrier is a hardy working dog known for his tenacity and good humour.

The Lakeland Terrier is able to adapt to most living conditions, in the city or the country.

The Lakeland Terrier's bold, confident and friendly disposition makes it a great companion.

The Lakeland Terriers' coat needs brushing weekly and shaping every few months.

The Lakeland Terrier is one of the oldest working terrier breeds still known today. It was bred, raised, and worked in the lake districts of England long before there was a kennel club or an official stud book. The fact that it has been outstripped by many younger terrier breeds is not so much a reflection on its quality as a tribute to the scope of its working ability. The name "Lakeland" indeed, is a modern acquisition. In olden times the breed was known as the Patterdale Terrier.

It is related that long before the days of the great John Peel, or before any packs of hounds were formed, the Lakeland was kept by the farmers in the mountain districts, who, at that time, would form a hunt with a couple of hounds and these terriers. Their work was to destroy the foxes found raiding the sheepfolds. There was sport, but it was not sport for sport’s sake alone. It was a very practical matter.

So great was the courage of the native Lakeland Terriers that they would follow underground for tremendous distances. It is told that, in 1871, Lord Lonsdale had one which crawled 23 feet under rock after an otter. In order to extricate the dog it was necessary to undertake extensive blasting operations. Finally, after three days’ work, they reached the dog, and he was gotten out, none the worse for his experience. Still other dogs have been known to be locked underground for ten or twelve days and have been taken out alive. Others have paid the penalty.

Cumberland was the birthplace of the Lakeland Terrier. This is a particularly beautiful county, richly studded with lakes, particularly in the southern part. The Bedlington is attributed to neighboring Northumberland county, but it is not difficult to suppose that there was certain traffic in dogs at that time.

The first organized effort to promote the interest of this Cumberland County breed came at the Kersurck show in 1912, when a terrier club was formed. The new club made considerable headway for two years, and then came the outbreak of World War I. Naturally, all civilian activities were under a damper, and little or nothing was heard of the Lakeland Terrier again until 1921. That year fanciers met at Whitehaven, in Cumberland. According to Thomas Hosking, who later came to the United States and who was one of the nine fanciers who attended, the name Lakeland Terrier was chosen at that meeting. The standard was drawn up at that time, and shortly afterward the breed was made eligible for registration in the stud book of the Kennel Club (England). The Lakeland Terrier was accepted for registration in the AKC Stud Book in 1934.

Although a worker for generations, the Lakeland makes a very good appearance in the ring. He has a dense, weather-resisting coat, strong jaws of moderate length, powerful hindquarters, and good legs and feet on a short, strong back. Despite his gameness and courage, he has an attractive, quiet disposition.

Is this a vulnerable breed? Yes, No	No
What size is this dog? Small, Medium, Large	Medium
How much excercise is required? 30 mins a day, 1 hour a day, Over 2 hours a day	1 hour a day
How long is this dog's coat? Short, Medium, Long	Medium
How much grooming is required? Once a week, More than once a week, Every day	More than once a week
Does this dog shed? Does shed, Does not shed	Does shed
What area is this dog best suited to? Town, Country, Either	Either
What size house is required for this breed? Flat/Apartment, Small House, Large House	Small House
What size of garden is required? Small Garden, Large Garden, No Garden	Small garden

	General Appearance Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact.
	Characteristics Gay, fearless demeanour, keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tip-toe of expectation.
	Temperament Bold, friendly and self-confident.
	Eyes Dark or hazel. Slanting eyes undesirable.
	Mouth Teeth even with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
	Neck Reachy, slightly arched, free from throatiness.
	Forequarters Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight, well boned.
	Body Chest reasonably narrow. Back strong, moderately short and well coupled.
	Hindquarters Strong and muscular. Thighs long and powerful with well turned stifles. Hocks low to ground and straight.
	Feet Small, compact, round and well padded.
	Tail Customarily docked. Docked: Well set on, carried gaily but not over back or curled. Undocked: Well set on, carried gaily but not over back or curled. In overall balance with the rest of dog.
	Gait / Movement Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact.
	Coat Dense, harsh and weather-resisting with good undercoat.
	Colour Black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue or black. Small tips of white on feet and chest undesirable but permissible. Mahogany or deep tan not typical.
	Size Height not exceeding 37 cms (141/2 ins) at shoulder. Average weight: dogs: 8 kgs (17 lbs); bitches: 7 kgs (15 lbs).