Lakeland Terrier

Origin & history

The Lakeland Terrier was developed in the Lake District of north-western England, taking its modern name from that region. Fell farmers needed a small, hardy terrier that could keep up with hounds over rough ground and then go underground to bolt or kill foxes that preyed on lambs. The breed was built for that exact job, with a narrow, flexible body to follow quarry into rocky dens and the gameness to face it once there. It shares ancestry with other northern working terriers and was refined and standardised into a recognised show and pet breed in the early 20th century. It remains relatively uncommon in Australia. The working heritage still shows clearly in the modern dog's energy, prey drive and readiness to dig.

Temperament

Lakelands are confident, lively and affectionate with their families, often bonding tightly and wanting to be in the thick of things. They are generally good with children they are raised with, though their busy, no-nonsense terrier nature suits older kids better than toddlers. With strangers they tend to be alert and will sound off readily, which makes them sharp little watchdogs in a small package. Other dogs can be met with a challenge, particularly between same-sex adults, and the strong prey drive means cats and small pets are not a safe bet without careful early socialisation and management. They are intelligent and trainable but independent and a little stubborn, so reward-based training, firm consistency and early socialisation are essential. The core needs are daily exercise, mental stimulation, secure fencing and an outlet for digging and chasing instincts.

Appearance

A small but sturdy and squarely proportioned terrier, the Lakeland stands roughly 33 to 38 cm at the shoulder and weighs around 7 to 8 kg, with little difference between the sexes. The body is deep and narrow rather than cobby, built to squeeze into tight spaces. The double coat has a harsh, dense, wiry outer layer over a softer undercoat, with a distinct beard and longer furnishings on the muzzle and legs. Colours include solid red, wheaten, liver, blue and black, as well as saddle-marked patterns such as black and tan or blue and tan. Small folded ears, a confident stance and an alert, slightly mischievous expression complete the picture.

Suitability

The Lakeland suits an active owner or family who enjoys a characterful terrier and will commit to training, exercise and management. It can adapt to many homes, including smaller ones, provided it gets out and stays busy, but a securely fenced yard is a real advantage given its love of digging and tendency to follow its nose. It is not the easiest first dog because of the independent streak and prey drive, though a keen owner who reads up on terriers can do very well. It tolerates some time alone better than many breeds but still wants company and can bark when bored. The wiry coat copes reasonably with the Australian climate, but provide shade and water and avoid hard exercise in the heat of the day. Plan on regular tidying and periodic hand-stripping to keep the coat in good order.

Health

The Lakeland Terrier is generally a hardy, long-lived breed, commonly reaching around 12 to 15 years. The best-documented inherited concern in terriers of this type is primary lens luxation, where the lens of the eye slips from position and can cause glaucoma and blindness; a DNA test for the mutation involved is available and widely used. Like many small breeds it can also be prone to patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) and to Legg-Calve-Perthes disease affecting the hip in young dogs. Buy from a breeder who DNA tests for primary lens luxation and is open about the eye and joint health of their lines, and who has breeding dogs examined for inherited eye disease. Routine veterinary checks, dental care and keeping the dog lean and fit all help this active terrier make the most of its long potential lifespan.