Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Lakeland Terrier is a dog of 15 inches and 17 pounds.
Females are slightly smaller in size compared to males, and both males and females tend to live between 12 to 15 years. Overall, this is a small dog with a big dog personality.
Originally from England, this dog was bred to be a farmer’s dog – their primary duty was to work in packs on sheep-stealing foxes. This is a low-shedding breed with a hard and wiry coat.
They come in several colors and many of them usually have a sporty saddle mark on the back. Ears are V-shaped while the head is rectangular.
Not that long ago this breed was known by different names, including the Fell, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Patterdale Terrier.
In 2016, the Kennel Club of the United Kingdom lists Lakeland Terriers as a threatened native breed.
That same year only 220 puppies were registered. The number of this breed in the States is also low.
Lakelands have a beautiful and harsh double coat that needs the proper maintenance by hand plucking.
It will be hard to find someone who can pluck or ‘strip’ coat, so if and when you find an experienced dog groomer with this skill to whom you trust, stick to them.
If you cannot stand a lot of dander, but love dogs of unusual appearance then you should definitely think about Lakeland.
To remove the loose air and prevent mats, practice weekly brushing.
Quick Facts
Real name: Lakeland Terrier
Other names: Fell Terrier, Patterdale Terrier
Origin: England
Breed type: Terrier Dogs
Weight: 15 to 17 pounds
Height: 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Litter Size: 3 – 4 puppies
Color: Variety of colors including liver, red, blue, and black
Coat: Harsh and double coat with dense undercoat
Lakeland Terrier History
Lakelands are among Britain’s favorite breeds and one of the oldest as well. Even their name is linked with England ground.
In fact, this breed was named after the Lake District in northern England. Not that long ago, farmers had a well-implemented practice of using these small dogs to keep their land foxed-free.
As such, in no time, the Lakeland became known as the ultimate workingman’s working terrier. They were one of the earliest Terries dating from the 1700s.
Lakelands are descendants of the old English Black and Tan and Fell Terriers. This is the main reason why this breed is often called the Fell Terrier or Patterdale Terrier.
In far 1921, the Lakeland Terriers were recognized by the UK Kennel Club. This was a big step for the breed’s further development.
As expected, external events, such as World War I slowed down the breed’s further development.
Once the breed’s club was developed the breed continue developing. In 1934, the AKC recognized the breed.
Lakeland Terrier Physical Appearance
The Lakeland Terrier is a small size dog of rustic appearance. Their electric-like coat on heads and legs add to their vivid appearance.
Lakelands may be small in size, but they are very sturdy. They are well-built with a strong and balanced body. Their nose is always black, the same as the eyes.
Ears in this breed are small and always V-shaped. Legs are also strong and enable light movement, even on the more challenging terrain. Lakeland terriers should always have a double coat.
The outer coat is wiry in texture and often described as hard. On the other hand, an undercoat is close to the skin and is often described as soft.
On the muzzle and legs, hair should always be longer – this is a breed’s signature physical trait.
Lakeland Terrier Personality
Lakeland Terriers are often described as loyal, affectionate, and hard-working dogs who are highly curious.
Like all Terriers, your Lakeland Terrier should be self-confident and a bit stubborn. This is why terriers of any size need an experienced dog owner.
Lakelands need a firm hand based on only positive training reinforcement. A bored Lakeland will show you just how unsatisfied he is. It’s common for dogs of any breed, to become destructive when bored.
Make sure that you have enough time for a dog before you bring Lakeland home. When at work, or just outside, leave him with interactive toys to keep him entertained.
If possible, choose toys that can be filled with treats. This way, he will be extra entertained.
Due to his strong prey drive, he may try to chase small animals whenever possible. Cats, squirrels, or hamsters are in real opportunity to run from this breed.
Lakelands just love chasing anything smaller in size and fast. This is why keeping your Lakeland Terrier on a leash when outside is a must.
What about other dogs? The Lakeland Terrier prefers to be a single dog. They don’t get along with other dogs, especially if both are males.
Males are highly territorial, and no matter whether they may be raised together, there are always high chances of this breed not getting along with other males of the same breed.
They are not fond of cats, as well.
What about children? They tend to love children, especially if children are older.
Make sure that your children know how to behave around dogs and not to pull their tails or fur.
No matter how well dogs and children behave together, they should always be supervised.
Accidents happen even among the best human-dog connections. Bear in mind that this breed may be difficult to housetrain, especially when it comes to marking their territory.
Before your Lakeland Terrier arrives, you might think about moving carpets until housetraining is successfully completed.
Lakeland Terrier Training
Lakeland Terrier will be a well-behaved dog if you provide proper training sessions and socialization.
If you need assistance in training, make sure that you find an experienced dog trainer. However, focus on finding a trainer who already has experience working with terriers.
Terriers’ mind is unique and a dog trainer without this knowledge could make more harm than good.
Luckily, this breed is highly intelligent and is fast to master new tricks and commands.
Did you know that in general dogs are capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
This means that it’s all up to you and how well you organize training sessions.
Training Terrier is always challenging, but don’t give up! Arm yourself with patience, next to treats, and enjoy the process!
Lakeland Terrier Exercise
Exercise is a big deal for dog’s health. This is especially important if you are mindful of the dog’s joint health and weight balance.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise across the States and smaller size dogs are more prone to extra pounds.
Stick to recommended feeding guidelines and try to provide the best food possible. Dogs who are given high-quality foods are healthier.
Nutrition in dogs works like nutrition in humans – better the diet, stronger the health.
What about exercise needs? Lakeland Terriers won’t be happy with a short walk around the block.
You will have to invest at least 30-minutes of activity per day, including regular walks, while 60-minutes outside would be perfect.
You can also include indoor games to keep his mind sharp and organize dog gatherings to help them burn off that extra energy faster.
Lakeland Terrier Grooming
Lakelands have a remarkable coat of electric look. To keep their recognizable coat healthy and properly groomed it should be maintained by hand plucking.
Not sure how to perform it? Visit a local groomer salon for them to do it, or hire a professional dog groomer to show you how to do it.
In most cases, veterinarians are more than willing and capable of showing you tips and tricks to make plucking enjoyable for both sides.
Finding someone for can perform stripping coat safely and fast is always tricky.
The main task with the overall appearance of this breed is to do whatever is in your power to help them keep their recognizable curls.
Lakelands are often promoted as a non-shedding breed, which makes them a great choice for people with allergies. However, you can still expect some level of debris, especially during the spring and autumn.
Make sure that you check his gums and eyes weekly for any signs of infection.
Learn how to clean dog’s ears, and trim nails monthly.
Use the right grooming tools to provide weekly brushing to remove loose hair and prevent mats that are challenging to handle once they are created. Once grooming is well-implemented, Lakeland Terrier will remain a breed that is smell-free.
Lakeland Terrier Health
Lakeland Terriers are considered to be healthy dogs. So far there are no specific health conditions that are strongly linked with this breed.
Still, to enable your dog to live as long as possible, make sure that you provide proper nutrition, that you follow feeding guidelines, and you stick to veterinarian check-ups.
Often, the best way to keep your Lakeland Terrier healthy is to think about prevention.
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