Terriers · England
A plucky, upbeat terrier that carries itself with confidence.
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.8 to 7.7 kg (15 to 17 lb)males 7.7 kg, females 6.8 kg1 |
| Height | 37 cm (15 in)1 |
| Lifespan | from 12 years23 |
| Coat | Wiry, weatherproof double coat |
| Origin | England, in the Lake District of Cumbria, where farmers kept working terriers to run with fell hound packs.234 |
| Group | Terriers (FCI group 3) |
A plucky, upbeat terrier that carries itself with confidence. It is friendly with its people, quick on its feet and alert to everything going on around it.14
A typical home-care rhythm for a Lakeland Terrier. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Around an hour of exercise a day suits it, with games and walks to keep its busy terrier mind occupied.2
Small enough for most homes, including smaller ones, as long as it gets daily outings and a secure garden.2
Enjoys being part of family life and likes to be involved in whatever its people are doing.14
Brush more than once a week. The wiry coat keeps its texture best when it is hand-stripped a few times a year; it sheds little.24
Feed your adult Lakeland Terrier at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. Sticking to regular times, such as morning and evening, helps their digestion. For exact amounts, check the food label and ask your vet.5
A balanced, high-quality dog food suited to their age and size is best. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Never give these or any items from the full list of toxic foods.6
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, and at least once every three months is fine. Use a gentle dog shampoo to keep their wiry coat in good condition. Bathing too often can strip natural oils.7 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your Lakeland Terrier at least once a week, and more often if they enjoy it. Their wiry coat benefits from hand stripping a few times a year to keep its texture, and they shed very little.24 Pet Wiki plan
Trim their nails every 3 weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a small amount at a time and stop before the quick to avoid pain. If unsure, ask a vet or groomer for a demonstration.7 Pet Wiki plan
About an hour of exercise daily suits this lively terrier, with walks and games to keep their busy mind engaged. Pet Wiki's plan includes daily walks and playtime. A secure garden is a bonus for extra fun.2 Pet Wiki plan
Brush their teeth daily if possible, at least a few times a week, using dog toothpaste only. Check ears every two weeks and clean gently with a vet-recommended solution, never pushing anything into the ear canal.7 Pet Wiki plan
Lakeland Terriers typically live around 12 years or more, bringing many happy years of companionship. With good care and regular vet checks, they often enjoy a long, healthy life.23
They are generally friendly with their own family, but how they get on with children and other pets can vary. It is best to ask a good breeder about the individual dog's temperament and to supervise early introductions.
This breed enjoys being part of family life and may not do well left alone for long periods. How long they can be left varies; ask a breeder for advice and consider gradual training if needed.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Lakeland Terrier. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
The AKC parent club lists no recommended health tests and the UK Kennel Club flags no breed-specific concerns; the points below are generic for a small terrier. AKC parent club: no recommended health tests; UK Kennel Club Breed Watch Category 1 ↗
Inherited eye changes such as lens problems or cataracts; the UK Kennel Club suggests an eye exam before breeding. Eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS scheme listed as Best Practice by the UK Kennel Club; no published rate ↗
Plaque and gum disease build up with age; brushing and dental checks keep it in hand. Generic risk; dental disease affects about 9% of dogs overall (RVC VetCompass); no breed rate ↗
A common small-dog problem where the kneecap slips, causing a skipping walk. Generic risk for small breeds; no breed-specific data ↗
Little is published for this breed; these are the usual conditions for its size and type. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
Running costs for a Lakeland Terrier, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Lakeland Terrier in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Treats add up quickly in a dog this size, so keep them under 10 percent of daily calories, and remember dental treats count too. Lakelands build tartar easily, so daily brushing does more than any chew.
Source: petmd.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Stingray of Derryabah was the first dog ever to take Best in Show at both Crufts (1967) and Westminster (1968).3
Lakelands have won Best in Show at Crufts and at Westminster twice each.3
The working, unregistered cousin of the breed is known as the Fell or Patterdale Terrier.3
Terriers from Welsh, Border, Fox and Bedlington lines may all have played a part in its make-up.2
Despite its long show pedigree, it is listed as a Vulnerable Native Breed in the UK because so few puppies are registered each year.2
The breed is named for the Lake District of his native England, where it was developed to work in packs on sheep-stealing foxes.4
The garden gate creaked, and I was off, nose to the ground, chasing a scent. My humans laughed, calling my name, but I had a job to do. I circled the flower bed, pounced on a leaf, and dashed back to them, tail wagging. At the park, I raced a ball, my legs a blur. Later, curled on a lap, I watched the world through half-closed eyes, ready for the next adventure. Life is a game, and I play to win.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Lake District farmers developed working terriers from old Black and Tan and fell terrier stock to go out with hound packs after foxes that preyed on sheep. Different valleys once had their own local types, which were drawn together under the Lakeland name; the Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1921.234
Popularity Ranked 156th of 202 breeds by AKC puppy registrations.3
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
Welsh Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier
Border Terrier
Patterdale Terrier