A bold, zesty "big dog in a small package," the Lakeland Terrier is named for the Lake District of his native England, where he was once a farmer's dog bred to work in packs on sheep-stealing foxes. Smart, workmanlike, well balanced, and compact, it is the smallest of the long-legged, black-and-tan terriers.
Gay and fearless in demeanor, keen of expression, and quick of movement, the Lakeland is on the tip-toe of expectation — a bold, friendly, and self-confident companion.
A Working Terrier of the Fells
The Lakeland Terrier takes its name from its place of origin, the Lake District in England. In the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, different valleys developed their own type of working terrier, and it is from these that the Lakeland Terrier was developed. Behind the Lakeland is the Black and Tan Terrier — the root blood of many of the English native terrier breeds — with perhaps some input from the Welsh Terrier, the Border Terrier, and the Fox Terrier.
The breed was developed to run with packs of hounds and their foot followers over the steep and rocky fells of the Lake District, so stamina, agility, and courage to bolt or kill fox or badger were required. In the Lake District's mountainous, rocky terrain, fox hunting was done on foot, and the Lakeland was expected to keep up with the hounds over the rocky terrain on its own four feet — resulting in a sturdy, small dog with a lot of stamina.
As one of the earliest terriers, dating from the 1700s, this "earth" dog is a descendant of the old English Black and Tan and Fell Terriers. Formerly known as the Patterdale Terrier, its original service was going to ground on the farm in the hunt for vermin. The first breed club was formed in 1912, recognition from The Kennel Club came in 1921, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1934. In the UK, the Lakeland Terrier is now considered a vulnerable native breed at risk of extinction through low levels of breeding.
A Sturdy, Compact Terrier
The Lakeland Terrier is a sturdy dog, compact, free-moving, and able to cover ground with little effort and much quickness. It stands about 13.5 to 15 inches tall and weighs 15 to 18 pounds — the smallest of the long-legged, black-and-tan terriers, similar in appearance to the slightly larger Welsh Terrier but finer-boned.
The Lakeland has a relatively narrow chest, a broad muzzle, and small, V-shaped ears. It has a thick, bushy, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat, in a variety of colors: black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue, or black. The hard, wiry, weather-resistant coat is low-shedding, and the tail is carried upright.
Bold, Friendly, and Self-Confident
The Lakeland Terrier is friendly, bold, and confident — shyness is very atypical, as is aggressiveness. Very intelligent and independent-minded, they are quick to learn and easy to train, though Lakelands often exhibit "selective deafness" when their interest is aroused. They are quite receptive to crate training.
Lakeland Terriers have a loving personality and often do well as family dogs, as long as their energy and intellectual needs are met. They bond well with multiple people and thrive in a busy, active environment. They may be wary of strangers, but are eager to adopt new people into their family circle once they get to know them. As with most terriers, daily exercise and playtimes are a must, lest this active dog seek other outlets for its energy.
Exercise and Activity
The Lakeland Terrier is an energetic dog needing up to an hour of exercise per day. Daily exercise and playtimes are a must. They are among the breeds eligible for competition in sanctioned Earthdog trials, and also excel at agility and obedience. Active play helps keep them out of trouble, and leaving them unattended in the yard is not recommended, as they tend to dig.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for this zesty terrier.
Training a Lakeland Terrier
Lakelands are smart and quick to learn, but they need early socialization to maximize their generally outgoing personality. They have a reputation for getting bored easily, so variety in training sessions and rewards keep them happy and engaged. Training can help curb their tendency to vocalize, though it won't eliminate it.
The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Lakeland Terrier
The Lakeland has a hard, wiry, low-shedding double coat that needs grooming more than once a week, typically including regular hand-stripping or clipping to maintain the characteristic working terrier outline. The coat is weather-resistant and sheds very little. Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and tooth brushing.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
| Professional trim or clip | Every 6–8 weeks | Keeps the coat tidy and hygienic |
The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for this wiry coat.
Feeding a Lakeland Terrier
A Lakeland Terrier should be fed high-quality food appropriate to its age, size, and activity level, typically in two meals per day. As an energetic small breed, portion control keeps them lean and healthy.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Your veterinarian can recommend the right diet and portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The Lakeland Terrier is a healthy dog breed that generally lives 12 to 15 years or more, with a 2024 UK study finding a life expectancy of 14.2 years. They can be susceptible to some health conditions common in small-breed dogs, including luxating patellas and eye disorders, so responsible breeders screen their stock.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Lakeland Terrier is an excellent choice for a family interested in an engaged, active companion. Well-socialized Lakelands do extremely well with older children and other dogs, but introductions to cats or other small animals need caution, as they still have a prey drive from their fox-hunting days. They are equally at home in the country or the city, and fit small homes and gardens.
If you're weighing whether a Lakeland Terrier fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Lakeland Terrier means committing to an energetic, vocal terrier that barks frequently, digs holes in gardens, and needs variety in training to stay engaged. They are independent-minded and best suited to older, responsible children. Their vulnerable native status in the UK means finding a breeder requires care.
Yet for the right owner, the Lakeland is a fearless, friendly companion — a bold big dog in a small package with a hard, weatherproof coat.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Bold, friendly, self-confident nature
- Low-shedding, wiry coat
- Very intelligent, quick to learn
- Excellent with older children and other dogs
- Adaptable to country or city life
- Long-lived and healthy
Disadvantages
- Vocal — barks frequently
- Prone to digging
- Gets bored easily
- Strong prey drive toward small animals
- Needs early socialization
- Vulnerable native breed in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Lakeland Terriers get? 13.5–15 in tall; weight 15–18 lb.
How long do Lakeland Terriers live? Typically 12 to 15+ years.
Are Lakeland Terriers good family dogs? Yes — excellent with older, responsible children.
Are Lakeland Terriers easy to train? Yes — quick to learn, but independent-minded.
Do Lakeland Terriers shed? Very little — hard, wiry, low-shedding coat.
Are Lakeland Terriers good with other pets? Good with other dogs; caution with cats and small animals.
Do Lakeland Terriers bark a lot? Yes — they vocalize frequently.
Are Lakeland Terriers rare? Yes — a vulnerable native breed in the UK.
What were Lakeland Terriers bred to do? Hunt foxes and vermin over the rocky Lake District fells.
Are Lakeland Terriers like Airedales? Similar, but much smaller — about 15 lb vs 50–70 lb.
Are Lakeland Terriers good for apartments? They adapt, but their bark may be an issue.
Do Lakeland Terriers dig? Yes — they tend to dig holes in gardens.