Description

The Lakeland Terrier is small in size with a long face and terrier look. Its ears fold at the tips and the jaw and muzzle are squared. The Lakeland Terrier has a beard that gives it a distinguished look. They have dark eyes that are hidden by the curls all over their face.

The Lakeland Terrier has a long neck with sturdy looking shoulders. They are narrow in build, but not delicate in appearance. They seem to have rather long legs for their body with longer fur. They have a square body shape and have a natural long tail that is sometimes docked.

The coat of the Lakeland Terrier is wavy and rough feeling. It is weather resistant and is a double coat, although that is not always apparent. They can be a range of colors from black to tan to red and many different combinations of colors. Pups have dark coats and the color appears as they grow.

Coat Description

The Lakeland Terrier has a double coat, but that is not immediately apparent since the undercoat is very fine. The outer coat is wiry and wavy. It has a loose length with very curly hair on the face area.

History

The Lakeland Terrier came from England where they were used to chase rats and hunt fox. They came from Old English Wirehaired Terriers, Bedlington Terriers, Border Collies and Dandie Dinmont Terriers. They have had several different names throughout their history, but were recognized as the Lakeland Terrier in 1921. They have always been used on farms and in hunting. However, today they are more widely a pet or show dog.

Temperament

The Lakeland Terrier is a fun dog. They love to explore and have a lot of energy. They are also great family dogs who love to socialize. This breed is easy to train and easy to get along with. They are fast learners and good with tricks. The only challenge with the Lakeland Terrier is house training. They can be resistant to house training efforts and it can be frustrating. However, crate training works best and usually with a good technique they will do fine.

Being so social the Lakeland Terrier needs plenty of family time. They do not do well if they are left alone a lot. When they feel lonely they may end up displaying bad behaviors like excessive barking and digging. They are good with children, but can be over protective of their personal items, like food and toys. They can be affectionate, but are good at staying in one place for too long.

The Lakeland Terrier loves to chase and run. They also love to learn, so keep the dog engaged in activity. They can be noisy and always like to know what is going on. They will also get along well with other animals and love to play with anyone who will play with them, even other animals. They are not afraid to drag a participant into an activity. They are also good at playing alone, so they will get their exercise needs all on their own.

Health Problems

The Lakeland Terrier does not exhibit the common health problems of the terrier breed. They may have problems with lens luxation and Von Willebrand’s Disease. These problems can usually be tested for at an early age, though. They cant hen be managed successfully. They may also be born with a condition called Legg-Perthe’s disease, but this is rare. A good bred dog will generally be very healthy and lack any major medical problems.

Grooming

The Lakeland Terrier needs brushed two to three times a week to keep the curly mane under control. They will need their beard and face wiped often to prevent dirt build up and staining of the fur. They will need to have their coat plucked two to three times per year to help with shedding. Clipping the hair around the legs and body is fine, but should not be taken to extremes and is not accepted for a show dog. However, long hair at the feet and around the ears should be trimmed when needed.

Exercise

The Lakeland Terrier is playful enough to exercise them. They love to interact and this is a large part of their physical activity needs. They like being outside and will play games like fetch since they love to chase and run. They need to be leashed or fenced in when outside because they do not discriminate during a chase and will run off easily. It is easy tot ell when they need a bit more interaction and exercise because they will usually dig when bored.

Training

The Lakeland Terrier needs good training. It will need positive reinforcement and challenges. This breed will need to be socialized as well. They are good with learning quickly and their high intelligence makes them rather easy to work with. They can be stubborn, though, and this is something to overcome when training. Repeating things over and over will not be tolerated and can produce this stubborn activity. They like to be given different things to do and will thrive with new training methods and changes to the routine.

House training is going to be the largest challenge. Crate training works best. They need to be praised a lot and constantly watched during the training period. They can not be left to their own or the training will never stick. Accidents should not be punished but rather corrected so they can learn.

They also need training to be on a leash. They are quick to chase anything and must be taught to obey when outside. They can easily get hurt should they run off.

They can be possessive in nature, so introducing them to other pets and children is important early on. They need to learn they can trust those around them and not have a need for protecting their personal belongings.