Dylan the clever, adventurous, mischievous, playful, loyal, yet selectively deaf Lakeland Terrier at about 22 months
"LAKE"-luhnd TAIR-ee-uhr 
The Lakeland Terrier is small and sturdy. It is squarely proportioned, much like the Welsh Terrier, but smaller. His body is deep and narrow and his head is balanced and rectangular. The muzzle is strong and the nose is black and can be liver colored on liver dogs. The ears are small and V-shaped, folding over. The eyes are moderately small with an oval outline. Eye color comes in black, brown or dark hazel. The stop is barely noticeable. The front legs are strong and straight when viewed from the front. The teeth are relatively large and meet in a level, edge-to-edge or a slightly overlapping scissors bite. The Lakeland Terrier has a double coat. The outer coat is hard and wiry in texture and the undercoat is close to the skin and soft. The hair is usually cut so it is longer on the muzzle and legs. Coat colors come in solid blue, black, liver, red and wheaten. It also comes with saddle markings, where a second color covers the back of the neck, back, sides and up the tail. Saddle colors may be blue, black, liver or varying shades of grizzle. Puppies are often born black and change coloring as they grow. The tail is set high and generally docked.
The Lakeland Terrier is an alert, lively, cheerful, loving and affectionate dog. This breed loves children. Confident and brave, it needs unyielding training along with a firm, consistent, confident pack leader. The Lakeland Terrier likes to dig and may be a barker, and needs to be told to hush if it becomes obsessive. This breed may be difficult to housebreak, but tends to learn quite easily otherwise. Make sure that the training is full of variety and offers the dog a challenge. You will find the dog quickly learns what you want from him. The Lakeland Terrier gets along well with other dogs if properly socialized. Socialize your dog when it is still young with other dogs, cats and other animals so it does not fight or chase them when it is older. Dogs that are allowed to take over the home will become feisty, willful, determined, and will tend to guard their toys and food. They may become unsure around strangers. They may also become dog aggressive and bark obsessively, as they try and rule those around them. These are NOT Lakeland Terrier traits, but rather human induced traits, brought on by the lack of leadership from the people around them. Dogs that do develop Small Dog Syndrome, will change for the better as soon as the dog starts getting firm, consistent rules to follow, limits as to what it is and is not allowed to do, along with a daily pack walk. In other words, do not be a meek owner, be a real pack leader.
Like all dogs, a Lakeland's housebreaking success is very much a function of how the puppy was raised. Puppies raised commercially in wire crates are MUCH harder to housebreak. Most of the Lakelands that end up in breed rescue come from large-scale breeders raising pups in wire crates. Common reasons for surrender are dog aggression and housebreaking issues. A well-bred, well-raised Lakeland that has an owner who satisfies the dogs natural instincts do not have these issues and are a pleasure to own.
Height: Not above 14½ inches (36.8 cm)
Weight: Males 17 pounds (7.7 kg) Females 15 pounds (6.8 kg)
Generally healthy.
The Lakeland Terrier is good for apartment life. It is very active indoors and will do alright without a yard.
This dog needs to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, it will enjoy running and playing off the leash at regular intervals in a safe area. The Lakeland Terrier is certainly suitable for sports activities such as catch and agility skills.
About 12-16 years
About 3 to 5 puppies
The Lakeland Terrier should have its coat plucked two or three times each year by pulling the old hair out by hand. Remove loose hair also from the ear passages and trim excess hair between the pads of the feet. The coat of show dogs will require more intensive grooming. This breed sheds little to no hair.
The Lakeland Terrier breed dates back to the 1800s and is one of the oldest terrier breeds that is still around today. The breed was originally called the Patterdale Terrier, however it is a separate breed from the Patterdale Terrier that we know of today. The Lakeland was developed by crossing the Bedlington Terrier, with the Old English Wirehaired Terrier in the Lake District of England. The dog was used to prevent fox and other vermin from destroying the crops and herds. It hunted den animals such as badger, fox and otter. It was able to hunt on uneven terrain, woods, fields and water. It chased and killed the quarry. The Lakeland was recognized as a breed in 1921 and by the AKC in 1934. It is still used for hunting, as a companion and as a show dog. Some of the Lakeland Terrier’s talents include: hunting, tracking and watchdog.
Terrier, AKC Terrier
"This is a picture I took of "Buttercup", a 2.5 year old female Lakeland Terrier. She loves to chase balls and bring them back, incessantly. We have another Lakeland terrier, named Athena, who also loves to chase the balls, but doesn't bring them back as reliably. Buttercup makes a great photo subject because she so reliably brings the balls back to a person. If I am the only one around and I have the camera, I can get a great shot of her bringing the ball back every time. She is also good at finding hidden balls with treats in them, she will search the yard incessantly until she finds it, using her nose and eyes."
Dylan the Lakeland Terrier at about 22 months
Max, a 7-month-old black Lakeland Terrier
Dylan the Lakeland Terrier at about 22 months
Max the Lakeland Terrier puppy at about 5 months old
