Lakeland Terrier

Behavior

The Lakeland Terrier is known as a dog without fear that has a very big heart. They love activity and enjoy running and chasing of all types. Even when they are older they will still be full of energy and want to play often. While they are not outwardly aggressive towards others, they can be a bit wary of strangers so they can benefit from socialization and training. They do better with older children who are well behaved and will follow their lead as well as their adult owners.

The Lakeland Terrier is very often compared in temperament to that of a teenager. They can be a bit aloof and loners, enjoying time to themselves. This means that patience with them is a requirement, particularly where training is concerned. They are intelligent dogs but want to learn and react at their own pace. They can also be very possessive, especially of their toys and food, which is why they do not get along well with toddlers and young children. They also need to be supervised well and do not do well when off a leash, preferring to run and chase other animals no matter your commands or pleas.

Appearance

Lakeland Terriers are noted for their narrow deep bodies that make them ideal hunters. This body type id perfect to allow it to get into and dig into the dens of the animals it may be chasing. It has a sold, strong body with a long neck. Its tail is very highly set on its body. The ears of the dog fold over and it has very dark eyes. Lakeland Terriers have a rectangular head that typically has long bushy hair on it. They have wiry coats, which are perfect to go along with their hunting skills. They come in a full range of colors and because of their appearance often seem as if they are walking on the tips of their toes.

A typical Lakeland Terrier is about fourteen or fifteen inches high and will weigh upwards of sixteen or seventeen pounds at the most. They have a double coat of fur with a soft undercoat covered up by a rougher outer coat, which is needed for their hunting skills.

Grooming

One of the requirements of Lakeland Terrier in order to maintain the proper coat is that their coat should be stripped a few times a year. This allows their coat to grow back in properly and maintain its look, feel and texture. With proper stripping, this breed actually sheds very little. Brushing the coat on a weekly basis can help to keep it very clean and neat and it also helps to distribute the essential oils that are a part of its coat to the entire body, keeping the coat a good texture. With proper brushing, bathing can be done only as it is needed.

As with other terriers, you should check a Lakeland Terrier’s ears regularly. They are known to get a wax buildup that can cause infections or irritation, so checking the ears often and lightly cleaning them with a cotton ball and cleanser is a must.

History

Lakeland Terriers originate from England and can be first seen existing in the 1800s. It is possible that it is a descendant of the Border Terrier, but it is more widely thought that the Lakeland is actually a mix of several different breeds of terrier. The Lakeland was developed in the Lake district are of northern England where it was used mainly by farmers and other landowners to help keep out small vermin and animals that would disturb livestock. After a while they could be found as a part of any hunting pack and became quite popular all across England. The breed maintained its popularity and spread to North America in the 1930s.