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Lakeland Terrier

General
Other Names		Lakeland, Lakie
Dog Group Kennel Club		Terrier
Breed Classification		The Lakeland is a member of the terrier group. They were originally bred as hunting dogs (foxes and other small vermin) and today are used for companions and seen in the show ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£4-7.50 per week
Feeding Requirements		The average feeding cost per week is around £4.00. This breed does not need a high protein content diet.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		The average cost of a puppy is £500 - £550.
Average Puppy Price		£500-800
Lifespan		9 - 15 years The Lakeland's lifespan is around 14 years but many do live longer.
Average Litter Size		4 The average number of puppies in a litter is 3 - 5.
General Physical Description		A relatively small, well-balanced and compact terrier, Lakelands are sturdy and workmanlike dogs. The narrow body and strong hocks makes this dog very athletic for controlling vermin, allowing the breed to access any hidden, rocky foxes’ dens.
Height Min Max Bitch 0cm (0") 37cm (15") Dog 0cm (0") 37cm (15") Weight Min Max Bitch 7kg (15lbs) 7kg (15lbs) Dog 8kg (18lbs) 8kg (18lbs)
Size Category		Small
Weight Height Range		Dogs should measure no more than 37 cms at the wither and weigh around 8kgs. Bitches should measure the same and weigh around 7kgs.
Ailments		A healthy breed with no hereditary problems.
Common Ailments
Susceptibility To Illness		Low
Other
History		As its name suggests the Breed originates from the Lake District. There was a great cross section of people living in and around the Lake District in the early 1900’s and in various types of work such as farming and mining. One of the pastimes was to hunt with terriers and from these people with their different ideas of the ideal terrier combined with the landscape of the Lake District evolved the Lakeland Terrier. A fearless cheerful character with the ability to cover the ground in the company of hounds. Bred to follow vermin into the rock piles, they are very athletic dogs.
Intelligence		Lakelands are very intelligent dogs and have an attitude of ‘done that what’s next’ even if they are not ready to proceed. Like all terriers they can choose to be deaf so they are not always suitable for letting off the lead. It is essential to have them on a collar and lead when walking along roads in busy areas or where there is livestock. Lakelands respond well to the Clicker form of training, i.e motivational training using positive reinforcement. Using force with a Lakeland equals a stubborn, defiant dog. Training has to be fun for both the dog and owner. It is essential that training starts at 10 weeks with socialising classes (not puppy parties where all the puppies are let off their leads). It is important for all dogs to learn how to behave in a human world and an acceptable level of behaviour must be established at an early age. Terrier puppies are fairly fearless and can, if allowed, be over the top in meeting and greeting other dogs and humans. Patience and perseverance is the key to successful terrier training. Several Lakelands hold the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Gold Award. They love trick training and are especially good on skate boards!
Show Characteristics		Lakeslands should have a well-balanced head with a flat and refined skull. The nose should be black except in liver coloured dogs, when the nose will be liver. The eyes should be hazel or dark in colour. Slanting eyes are not desirable. The ears should be moderately small, v-shaped and carried alertly, sitting neither too high or too low on the head. The teeth should be even with a perfect scissor bite. The neck should be reachy, slightly arched and clean at the throat. The shoulders should be well-laid back with straight, well boned forelegs. The hind quarters should be strong and muscular with long and powerful thighs. The hocks should be straight and set low to the ground. The chest should be reasonably narrow, with a moderately short, strong back. The feet should be small, compact, round and well padded. If docked the tail should be well set on and carried gaily but not over the back or curled. If undocked it should be the same and look in overall balance with the rest of the dog. Front and hind legs should be carried straight forward and parallel with good drive coming from well flexing hindquarters. The coat should be black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue or black. Small tips of white on feet and chest, whilst undesirable, are permissible. Mahogany or deep tan colours are not typical.
Country Of Origin		England
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		40 - 60 minutes per day. These are big dogs in small bodies. They will take as much or as little exercise as you can given them. Mental stimulation is also very important for these dogs. They can follow horses over the countryside or just walk around the square in a town. Not always guaranteed to come back when called as smells and holes are much more interesting than owners!
Distress Caused if Left Alone		Low
Personal Protection		High
Suitability As Guard Dog		High
Risk of Sheep Worrying		Medium
Tendency to Bark		Medium
Ease of Transportation		Medium
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		Medium
Suitable For Children		High
General Character And Temperament		They have adapted well to their role as the family pet. These dogs are cheerful and inquisitive. They will walk miles with you if you want in whatever weather but they will also curl up by the fire and be content just to be with you. They do benefit from mental stimulation to prevent them inventing their own games, which could be destructive to the house! Activity toys such as a Kong stuffed with food will keep them occupied, also a good toy to leave them with when they are left. Although fearless they are not know for starting fights, however if challenged they will stand up for themselves. They are generally recognised as being good with children. Both dog and children have to learn what is acceptable behaviour towards each other. They are not seen as a yappy breed but will give a warning if something untoward disturbs them.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Medium
Grooming Requirement		Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer		True
Grooming		The adult coat is thick, hard and only needs hand stripping 3 or 4 times a year. However during the transformation from puppy coat to adult coat, regular grooming is important. Their coat is wiry and non moulting making this dog good with families with allergies.
Colour		The common colours for a Lakeland are: black/tan, grizzle/tan and all red. White markings on the chest and feet are undesirable but permissible. In Scandinavia you will find black Lakelands and in the USA you will find blue ones. Occasionally there are liver/tan but this normally means that the coat is of poor quality being soft.
Shedding		None
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

Breed results: K-O
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