Lakeland Terrier

Terrier

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Height: 37 - 37cm M | 37 - 37cm F

Weight: 8 - 8kg M | 7 - 7kg F

Life Expectancy: 12 - 16 Years

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Introduction

The Lakeland Terrier takes its name after its place of origin, the Lake District in England. Like its kin the Fox Terrier, the Lakeland was originally bred to hunt foxes. It is small to medium size, weighing 15 to 17 pounds and standing 33 to 38 centimetres. It is bold, playful and independent and makes an excellent companion for active and fun-loving families.

Are you looking to own a Lakeland Terrier? Here is a brief background to this playful and affectionate dog.

History

As one of the first Terriers dating back from the 1700s, the Lakeland Terrier is often referred to as the "earth" dog descended from the old English Black and Tan and Fell Terriers. It was named after its place of origin the Lake District in England and was originally kept by farmers to hunt foxes. Lakeland Terriers are also successful in "going to ground" on the farm to hunt vermin and otter. Although there is a lack of documentation, many experts believe that the Lakeland Terrier shares a bloodline with the Bedlington Terrier, Fox Terrier and Border Terrier.

The Lakeland Terriers was first recognised by the UK Kennel Club between 1921 and 1928. There were debates as to the exact year. In 1932, the Lakeland Terrier Club was established, which promoted the breed nationally. Later in 1934, the American Kennel Club also registered and recognised the dog breed. Today, the Lakeland Terrier is known as an important dog show competitor and a wonderful, fun-loving pet.

Appearance and Grooming

Appearance-wise, Lakeland Terriers resemble the Welsh Terrier, although slightly smaller and both breeds bear a resemblance to their somewhat larger cousin, the Airedale Terrier. Ideally, they must weigh 15 to 17 pounds and grow to a height of 33 to 38 centimetres at the shoulders (withers). Its head is rectangular-shaped, eyes are dark or hazel with intense and an impish expression, ears are V-shaped that fold over, and tail docked and carried up. It has long legs that allow it to run at incredible speeds and its slim body gives it easy access to small passageways to capture prey. Its tail is generally docked (US) or left long (Europe).

The Lakeland Terrier has a coat that is thick and dense, comprising of a profuse, wiry outer coat and soft undercoat. It comes in many colours including black, blue, liver, wheaten, and red. Some will have a tan or red grizzle saddle that covers their neck, back, sides and tails, which make them appear blue and tan, black and tan, liver and tan, red grizzle and grizzle and tan. Shedding in the Lakeland Terrier is minimal, and it is reduced even further when the coat is stripped correctly. Stripping is not necessary if the Lakelands will not be shown. Weekly brushing of the coat will help keep the coat clean and excess oil well-distributed. Also, Lakelands only need to be bathed as needed.

Check the ears once a week for signs of wax build-up, irritation or infection. Clean the ears with a cotton ball moist with a veterinarian-approved solution. Teeth should be brushed weekly (even daily) to prevent tartar build-up and promote gum health. Trim nails to avoid overgrowth, cracking and splitting that may become painful for the dog.

Temperament and Intelligence

The Lakeland Terrier is bold, tenacious, curious, intelligent and playful. It is highly adaptable and is well-suited to a family environment. It also thrives on being involved in any activities in the household. Lakelands are happy characters, but they are also known to be fearless. Although it will rarely start fights, it will not back down on one. It is wary of strangers and are always alert and confident, which makes it an excellent watchdog.

With a stubborn streak and high intelligence, the Lakeland Terrier is a tough dog to housetrain. It has a short attention span and relatively swinging moods, so it is better suited to experienced owners that can handle a dog breed with this type of disposition. Early socialisation is crucial to make sure Lakelands don't turn out to be dominant and unruly.

The Lakeland Terrier is a fun-loving dog breed that generally enjoys the company of children. Like with any dogs, any interaction should be well-supervised especially when playtime becomes too boisterous. Lakelands do not get on well with other dogs of the same sex, especially the terrier-types. In addition, their prey drive is strong when around smaller animals and pets so care should be taken.

Nutrition and Feeding

A typical serving for an adult Lakeland Terrier is 1 cup of quality dry dog food per day. There is a lot to consider when it comes to the diet of a dog such as its age, gender, size, build, activity level, health and metabolism. Consult a veterinarian when in doubt.

Typical calorie needs of adult Lakeland Terriers per day:

Senior and less active: up to 500 calories daily
Typical adults: up to 560 calories daily
Physically active/working dogs: up to 620 calories daily

When you buy commercial dog food, make sure to read the ingredients. Often, dog owners mistake expensive dog food as the best for their dog, which is not always the case. Dog food must have meat as its main ingredient. Stay away from filler foods such as corn, wheat and soy as they don't add any nutritional value.

Health and Exercise

Lakeland Terriers are generally healthy with a lifespan of 9 to 15 years but are also prone to health issues, albeit not many. Here are a few health conditions that most Lakelands often have: Primary Lens Luxation, Cataracts, Persistent Pupillary Membranes, Microphthalmia, Ventricular Septal Defect, and Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome.

Lakelands are energetic terriers and must be given the right amount of exercise every day. Since they are intelligent, they also need plenty of mental stimulation to be truly happy, well-adjusted and obedient dogs. They will need at least one hour of exercise a day. They have an incredible stamina and will happily play outside for hours. However, Lakelands can sometimes try to escape and ignore commands when they spot something more interesting to chase, which is typical of its terrier nature. With this said, make sure that you have a securely fenced backyard where it can play without escaping.

Cost of Ownership

The Lakeland Terrier is a rare breed in the UK as few puppies are bred each year. You would need to go on waiting list to obtain one and pay £200-£700 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. To ensure it stays healthy at whatever age, be ready to spend £20-£30 a month on high-quality dog food. You also need to factor in the initial cost for dog accessories and equipment such as food bowls, leads, collars, and beds, which will likely be about £200 depending on the brand.

When it comes to healthcare, you need to be prepared in case your dog suddenly falls ill or gets into an accident. You can offset some medical bills if you get a pet insurance, which can range from £21 for a time-limited cover up to £44 for a lifelong insurance cover. These prices vary depending on your dog’s health and age, size and weight, the type of cover you choose, and whether it has pre-existing conditions.

Other outgoings to consider are veterinary expenses that may not be included in a pet insurance coverage such as vaccinations, routine checks, neutering or spaying, and annual boosters, which can have a combined cost of £1000 annually. Roughly, you will be setting aside £50-£80 a month for recurring expenses, depending on the type of insurance cover you choose. This estimate is exclusive of walking or grooming services that you might want to use at times.

Lakeland Terrier Breed Highlights

Lakeland Terriers resemble the Welsh terrier, although slightly smaller.
They are bold, tenacious, curious, intelligent and playful.
They are always alert and confident, which make them excellent watchdogs.
Shedding is minimal, and it is reduced even further when the coat is properly stripped.
They will need at least one hour exercise a day.