The Lakeland Terrier is one of the oldest working terrier breeds of dogs.
Alternate Names
none
Appearance:
Body: Small, square, compact, and strongly built with a narrow, deep chest, well-sprung ribs, well laid back shoulders, and short, strong back.
Coat: Double-coated with a thick, hard, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.
Color: Black and tan, blue and tan, red-gray, red, wheaten, liver, blue, or black.
Ears: Small, v-shaped, alert, and fold forward.
Eyes: Small, slightly oval, wide set. Dark brown or hazel to soft brown in liver or liver and tan dogs, and soft brown to black in all other dog colors.
Feet: Small, round and well padded with strong nails, and strong, tight toes.
Head: Long and rectangular with a flat skulled, broad muzzle, strong jaws, black nose, and long beard.
Legs: Forelegs are straight, strong, and well-boned. Hindquarters are strong, sturdy, and muscular.
Neck: Long and rectangular-shaped, well-muscled, and somewhat arched.
Size:
Weight: 15 – 17 pounds
Height: 13 – 14.5 inches
Tail: Docked and high set; carried upward with a small curve.
Behavior
Recommended for Experienced dog handlers
Love to bark
Not good with other small animals
AKC Standard says he is “bold, gay and friendly, with a confident, cock-of-the-walk attitude.”
The Lakeland Terrier is extremely independently-minded, highly energetic, and curious. He is small, fearless, highly intelligent, strong-willed, and playful. This is not a breed for the novice dog handler. The owner needs to be confident, firm, and consistent in his training methods or the Lakeland will have his own way. Training should always be positive and enforced with praise and reward-type treats.
Lakelands are strong workers with a love for the outdoors. Before considering this breed of dog, be sure you can provide him with a securely fenced in area where he can run, play, and investigate without getting into trouble. If not in the house or in a secure enclosure, he must be kept on a leash or his terrier instincts will take control and he will be off chasing any small animals or other moving objects he perceives as prey.
He is generally indifferent to other dogs but will likely kill other small animals. This is part of his terrier makeup as he was bred to hunt and kill foxes, otter, and any other animal preying on the sheep and other livestock he was responsible for protecting. If necessary, he will chase his prey underground sometimes going so far in that he needs human assistance to get out again.
Breed Type
AKC Group: Terrier Group
Used to protect flocks of sheep and other livestock from the jaws of small mammals such as fox and otter, as well as other vermin.
Care and Grooming
Exercise: He needs lots of outdoor exercise and playtime.
Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly and comb his beard after meals. Hand strip annually (plucking out the dead hairs).
Health
Life Expectancy: 13 – 14 Years
Possible Problems:
Legg-Perthes
Low Thyroid
Luxating Patella
vWD – bleeding disorder
Recommended Certificates:
CERF – for the eyes
Country of Origin
United Kingdom – 1700s. Originated in the Lake District of England