Lakeland Terrier

Lakeland Terrier
History:

Country/Date of Origin: England/ 1700s

Developed in the lake district of the north of England, the Lakeland has strong working roots. Farmers trained the little terriers to attack foxes, which raided their sheep. Fox Hunts often carried Lakeland Terriers to use as the "go-to-ground" terrier used to root the fox out of its lair. In the early 20th Century the breed was standardized and in 1921 began to be shown as the Lakeland Terrier in England. Known for their courage and endurance, the Lakies were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934. It remains relatively unspoiled, never having achieved great popularity.

 Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns

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Cumberland Terrier, Patterdale Terrier (although there is another by that name now)

AKC Group: Terrier

Breed Club: United States Lakeland Terrier Club

Rescue Club: Lynn McCain, (734) 439-7314, Milan Michigan, tolynkenl@aol.com

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Body Type:

  • A medium-sized, rough coated terrier with lavish eyebrows and beard
  • Height: 13-15 inches (at shoulder)
  • Weight: 15-17 pounds
  • Erect tail is docked
  • Ears are folded forward and not altered. This type of ear is called "button"

Personality:

  • A friendly, cock-of-the walk attitude
  • Alert nature makes the Lakeland a good watchdog
  • Typical terrier stubbornness may make him difficult to housebreak
  • Tends to bark excessively
  • Active and requires a great deal of exercise
  • Argumentative with other dogs and death to cats and other small furry critters

Coat:

  • The workman-like weatherproof coat is double with the outer hard and wiry and the undercoat soft
  • Allowed colors are blue and tan, wheaten, and red (the most commonly seen color)
  • Requires professional grooming

Health Concerns:

  • Lens luxation of the eye
  • Dry skin problems if kept indoors
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Tasty Tidbits:
  • In 1967 Stingray of Derrybah, a champion Lakeland won both Crufts, England's most prestigious show and Westminster, America's top show. He is the only dog, any breed, to have ever won the double crown
  • One of the champions of this seldom seen breed is the entertainer Bill Cosby
  • Puppies often have a soft, curly coat. This disappears by the time the dog matures