Lakeland Terrier Dog Breed

They’re less likely to put up with the high-pitched noises and unpredictable physical interactions of toddlers.

An active individual, family, or retired couple who enjoy long walks through the countryside would be the ideal companion for a Lakeland.

While they can be very affectionate, they also have an independent side to their nature. So it’s important to know when to give them some space.  

If their needs are met, Lakelands can be very affectionate. You can expect lots of snuggles on the sofa in the evenings!

They also form strong bonds with their immediate family and love to be the centre of attention or getting involved in whatever the group is doing.

Lakelands have an independent side to their nature. So as long as they’ve had a good walk and some mental stimulation, they can cope with being home alone for a few hours.  

Lakelands are very playful! They love to play scent games that involve them using their nose to sniff out treats or toys.

Squeaky toys are a favourite for obvious reasons, along with a good game of tuggy. They’ll play for as long as you want – probably longer! If you don’t have enough time in your day for play sessions then the Lakeland may not be the right match for you.

These regular play sessions help strengthen the bond between you and your dog, as well as providing them with physical and mental stimulation.

Lakelands can be described as moderate barkers. They’re excellent watchdogs, so any intruders will be swiftly detected! If you have a lot of visitors, your Lakeland will also act as a very effective doorbell.

Always on alert, they’re likely to bark at (and chase!) any wildlife that dares to visit your garden.

Their playful personality means they need both mental and physical stimulation. If their needs aren’t met, they may resort to attention-seeking barking.  

Any dog can develop behavioural issues if their needs aren’t met.

They all need physical and mental exercise to keep them emotionally satisfied. If you don’t tick these boxes for your Lakeland, you might see some of the following issues: 

• Barking – Lakelands are great at sounding the alarm but this particular bit of home security has a very sensitive setting. If their needs aren’t met, their barking will likely become excessive. 

• Digging – being terriers, Lakelands love to dig. Providing them with dig pits will help save your lawn from looking like the surface of the moon! 

• Chasing – Lakelands have a strong chase drive. Without an appropriate outlet such as toy play, this can result in them chasing cars, joggers, bikes etc. 

• Prey drive – Lakelands are prone to running off for a hunt. The use of a longline lead or an enclosed field is essential to keeping your Lakeland and local wildlife safe.

• Dog aggressive – without enough socialisation when young, Lakelands can be intolerant of other dogs, resulting in barking and lunging at them. 

Lakelands don’t need to live in a large home, although access to a secure garden is recommended. Their vocal nature means they’re not particularly suited to flats as they could easily disturb close neighbours.

This is a busy little breed. You’ll need to have plenty of spare time to devote to their daily exercise and play sessions.

If you’re looking for a dog who enjoys off-lead countryside walks, then the Lakeland is not the breed for you.

This breed isn’t generally compatible with other dogs, especially same-sex pairings. Their high prey drive also means they can’t be trusted around small pets such as cats, rabbits or guinea pigs etc.  

The Lakeland Terrier is a very active and agile little breed.

As a minimum, they need one hour of exercise every day.

They should only be let off the lead in enclosed areas as they have a high prey drive and pose a risk to both wildlife and themselves.

Being such a keen little working Terrier, they need plenty of mental stimulation too. Using their noses to track and find hidden treats or toys provides a great outlet for their natural hunting behaviour.

Regular play sessions using both tug and squeaky toys will also help keep your Lakeland happy and content.

Providing the right level of physical and mental exercise will require time and dedication, so keep this in mind if you’re thinking about taking on a Lakeland. 

Like all breeds, Lakelands need structured socialisation and habituation training from a young age. This helps to make sure they can cope with the sounds, sights and situations they’ll encounter throughout their life.

Socialisation is teaching a puppy to interact in an appropriate way with people and other dogs. Habituation is teaching a puppy to ignore some people, other dogs, traffic, noises, livestock, etc.

Lakelands are very intelligent and enjoy learning new things but being Terriers means they’re easily distracted! So kindness and patience, alongside fair and effective reward-based training is essential.

As with lots of puppies, they can be mouthy, even nippy, so be sure to have lots of toys to hand when they get over-excited.

Remember that adolescence can be a challenging time, both for the dog, and their owners. When the time comes, don’t give up – your hard work will be rewarded once they reach maturity!

Lakelands have a double coat. The under-coat is soft and provides insulation in colder weather, while the rough and wiry top-coat provides protection from the elements and environment.

Although they’re defined as low shedders, their coat still needs regular attention. Brushing them with a slicker brush twice a week will help keep their coat in tip top condition. Regular grooming sessions also give you an opportunity to check for lumps, cuts or parasites that may need attention.

It’s advised to have their coat stripped or clipped two to three times a year by a professional groomer. They’ll also clean your dog’s ears and clip their nails if needed. Remember to factor in the cost involved. 

Like all breeds, Lakelands can be affected by a number of health conditions. These include:

• Eye issues – cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. Both of these conditions can result in sight loss.

• Dental problems – gingivitis and peridontal disease. Both can cause pain and tooth loss.

• Hip dysplasia – a malformed hip joint that can cause pain and arthritis.

• Patella luxation – also known as slipping kneecaps. This can cause pain and lameness.

• Epilepsy – causes seizures.

• Von Willebrand disease – a blood clotting disorder.

• Always check that your breeder has carried out all relevant health checks on their breeding stock before selecting a puppy.

• Feeding your Lakeland terrier a quality diet, giving them a healthy lifestyle and regular or annual veterinary check-ups will help keep them fit and healthy.