| Lakeland Terrier | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Black and tan Lakeland Terrier | |||||||||
| Origin | United Kingdom (England) | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| Dog (domestic dog) | |||||||||
TheLakeland Terrier is adog breed, which takes its name from its place of origin,[1] theLake District inEngland. The dog is a small to mid-size member of theTerrier family. While independent in personality, it interacts well with owners and all family members.[2] In theUnited Kingdom, the Lakeland Terrier is considered avulnerable dog breed at risk of going extinct through low levels of breeding, according toThe Kennel Club.[3] In theUnited States, the Lakeland Terrier ranked 156 out of 202 breeds by number ofAmerican Kennel Club puppy registrations in 2024.[4]
At 15–17 lb (7–8 kg), the Lakeland Terrier is the smallest of the long legged, black and tan terriers.[2] It is similar in appearance to the slightly largerWelsh Terrier but is finer-boned.[2] The largest of the threesome in this similar group of Terriers is the Airedale.[2] The Lakeland is a sturdy dog,[5] compact, free moving and able to cover ground with little effort and much quickness.[2] The dog is relatively narrow in the chest and has a broad muzzle, yet slightly narrower than theWelsh Terrier, with small, V-shaped ears.[2]The Lakeland breed has a thick bushy wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat.[5] It comes in a variety of colors.The Kennel Club lists the following as acceptable colors: black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue or black.[5] Lakeland Terriers have an upright tail, which was previously customarily docked in the United Kingdom[5] and continues to be customarily docked in the United States.[6] Most Lakeland Terriers grow to between 13.5 and 15 inches (34 and 38 cm) in height, measured to thewithers.[7]
The eyes are small and dark colored and of oval shape.[2] The nose and pads of the feet are black except in liver colored dogs where the nose and pad coloring will be liver colored.[2] Liver colored dogs will have a slightly lighter colored eye.[2] The dog will not shed if properly groomed.[8] It is suggested that "[r]egular stripping and trimming improves the texture and quality of the coat" and is "necessary to enhance the dog's utilitarian purposes" as well as "enhancing him for the show ring".[9]
The dogs are friendly, bold, and confident.[10] Shyness is very atypical, as is aggressiveness.[2] Very intelligent and independent minded, they are quick to learn and easy to train, though Lakelands often exhibit "selective deafness" when their interest level is aroused.[2] The Lakeland is quite receptive tocrate training.[2] As with most terriers, the Lakeland is energetic; daily exercise and playtimes are a must, lest this active dog seek other outlets for their energy, with undesirable results for the owner.[2]
As one of the earliestTerriers (Latin derivation of earth), dating from the 1700s, this "earth" dog is a descendant of the old English Black and Tan andFell Terriers.[2] The Lakeland's original service was "going to ground" on the farm in hunt for vermin. Its size and energy make it popular as a hunter in hard to reach places; the breed is among those eligible for competition in sanctionedEarthdog trials.
The working dog version of the Lakeland is often known as theFell Terrier orPatterdale Terrier. Whereas most terrier breeds have only to bolt their quarry, or to mark it by baying, the Lakeland must be able to kill the foxes in their lair.[2]
In theLake District ofEngland, the mountainous, rocky terrain is unsuitable forfox hunting on horseback, and foxes were hunted on foot.[2] It has been suggested that the Lakeland Terrier's great stamina derives from running all day with the hounds, unlike his close cousin, the fox terrier, who would have been carried in a saddle bag to be released only when the fox had gone to earth.[2]
The UK Kennel Club claims to have recognised Lakeland Terriers in 1921,[10] whereas the Lakeland Terrier Club suggests this was closer to 1928.[1] The Lakeland Terrier Association (now defunct) was founded in 1921.[1] In 1925 the breed attained homogeneity following a cross-breeding with theFox Terrier and theAiredale Terrier.[2] The Lakeland Terrier Club was founded in 1932[1] and promoted the breed nationally[1] through Kennel-Club sanctioned shows.[2] The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1934.[11] Lakeland Terriers have twice won Best in Show atCrufts[12] and atWestminster Kennel Club Dog Show.[13]
A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 14.2 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.[14]
