Lakeland Terrier Origin ,Characteristics and Temperament
Lakeland Terrier Origin and History.
The Lakeland Terrier originates from the English Lake District region. Its ancestors were English and Welsh Black-and-Tans that were used as farm dogs. They hunted rats and stoats, a predecessor to modern day fox hunting.
Their first ancestors were thought to be descended from the 16th century black-and-tan terrier that was commonly used on farms in the Lake District of England.
The Lakeland Terrier is a small sized, short haired working terrier. They are found in black and tan or grizzle and tan pattern. The Lakeland Terrier has a lean body with a high-set tail that is tapering to the end. The head is small with a long muzzle, the eyes are dark and oval shaped, and the ears are V-shaped.
The coat has an outer coat that is coarse, wiry, straight, harsh and dense with a soft undercoat. It is not a “short coat” dog, but has the same undercoat as the fox terrier. The top coat comes in a variety of colors including solid blue, black, liver, red and wheaten.
The breed is smaller in size, more energetic and has more stamina and agility than their larger counterparts such as the Welsh Terrier, English Fox Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier and Scottish Terrier.
Lakeland Terrier Characteristics.
The Lakeland Terrier is a friendly, bold and confident dog. They are very good with children, but can be somewhat shy around strangers.
It should not exhibit aggression towards its owners or other dogs. It is intelligent and independent minded which means it is quick to learn and easy to train.
They love to dig, bark and be active, so they require a daily amount of exercise that includes playing and games. This will keep them from being destructive.
The Lakeland’s long, straight coat needs daily brushing and combing. The hard, outer coat can be maintained by stripping and trimming in order to “enhance the dog’s utilitarian purposes” as well as for the show ring.
Lakeland Terrier Breed Uses.
Lakeland Terriers were originally bred to hunt foxes. They were used to keep the fox population in check and prevent them from preying on sheep during the lambing season in Northern England’s Lake District.
The Lakeland Terrier can also be used as a livestock guardian dog and as a companion dog.
Lakeland Terriers make excellent agility and obedience dogs, they are also very good in competition.
Today’s Lakies are affectionate, friendly, and self-confident. These lively little dogs have a lot on the ball. They’re known for their intelligence, loyalty, natural beauty and their feisty spirit.
Lakeland Terrier Characteristics and Appearance?
The Lakeland is a sturdy, compact, free moving and able to cover ground with little effort and much quickness. However, it’s not as sleek as a greyhound. It’s not as large or long as the Foxie.
The Lakeland Terrier is a mongrel, or the descendent of two different breeds; the Black and Tan Terrier, and the Fell Terrier.
While it is still used as a farmdog, it is most commonly used as a companion and watchdog because of its independence.
The Lakeland’s coat should be rough, hard but not harsh and coarse; it should lie flat on the body. The hair is wiry and harsh in texture with a softer undercoat. It should not be silky or long as this is typical of a Spaniel type coat. There are no lines or feathering and the coat should drape on the body. The coat is dense and close fitting, but not too tight to restrict movement in any way.
The Lakeland does not have an undercoat like some terriers, but it does have an outer coat that’s very hard and straight with a shaggy look to it.
Lakeland Terrier Temperament.
Lakeland Terriers are energetic and intelligent, very courageous and confident.
They are also easily trained but need a firm owner who can be assertive with them. They can also be aggressive towards other dogs or animals when not socialized properly.
Most Lakeland terriers get along well with children if they have been introduced to them early on in the dog’s life, but it is not uncommon for the Lakeland to develop some aggressive tendencies toward other dogs until they mature enough to know their own strength.
Lakeland are also very territorial and will protect their homes by barking to alert their owners when a stranger approaches.
Lakeland Terrier Grooming
This spirited, enthusiastic Lakeland terrier should be groomed on a regular schedule. Regular grooming will help keep the coat shiny and remove all the loose hair that can collect in your home.
The Lakeland Terrier has a very thick coat that requires a lot of care. This is not the type of dog who will tolerate the hot summer because it has such a dense coat, but they are more suited to warmer climates than cold ones.
Lakelands shed an average amount for a terrier and making sure that you brush and comb at least twice a week will help to remove as much loose hair as possible.
Lakeland Terrier Care.
Lakeland terrier need an hour of exercise a day, and grooming every couple of days, to keep their coats in tip-top condition. They are known to be active, energetic and playful dogs and need a large, fenced area to run around in.
The coat will grow to be medium in length and can be straight or wiry and curly.
They can be very destructive when not properly trained, so it is important that you keep them busy with daily exercise.
Lakeland Terriers are very independent and strong-willed dogs. They may have issues with other dogs as they can easily become over protective of their territory as well as their owner.
Originally from the Lake District of England, their original purpose was to hunt foxes. However, they can also be used as companion dogs and guard dogs because they have a strong instinct to protect their territory.
Lakeland Terrier Training.
Lakeland Terriers are a dog breed that requires obedience training but are not the easiest to train. It is important to give them plenty of time when they are young and not push them into obedience too quickly. However, if they start to misbehave, reward them with plenty of praise.
They are quick learners and will quickly pick up the commands and tricks of which you are teaching.
Agility training is a good way to give them some exercise and it will also help them learn their capabilities as well as your own.
Lakeland Terrier Socialization.
The Lakeland Terrier is a friendly, outgoing dog. When well socialized, the Lakeland Terrier is polite with strangers and has a gentle disposition. They are best suited for families with older children, as they may show aggression towards youngsters and other animals.
They love the company of other dogs and are a natural pack animal, but they can also be bossy and aggressive. Lakeland Terrier need to be socialized with people and other animals from a very young age to avoid any possible problems.
Lakeland Terrier Ctivities.
Most terriers will usually play with stuffed toys even if the toy doesn’t last very long before your pooch de-stuffs the item. For example, my terrier’s favorite toy is a cow, which he carries around the house and tries to eat.
He also loves to play with his two brothers, so the Terrier will chase one brother, but then join back in play with the other when he gets tired.
In addition to this, this breed loves to dig holes in the grass, but I’ve noticed that he only digs a small hole and fills it back up again. Also, his favorite game is “find”. He will actually bring you one of your shoes and drop it on the ground. This is a very smart dog and loves to be active with you.
Lakeland Terriers are a fairly healthy breed, but they may get hypothyroidism. It is very important that a Lakeland’s diet consists of high quality food during their puppy years. A healthy diet will keep their coat shiny and thick and prevent them from having any health problems such as hypothyroidism later on in their lives.
Lakeland Terrier Exercise.
Lakeland Terriers are a high-energy breed and need up to one hour of exercise per day. They will thrive in an active household with a yard. Playing this breed is fun for both you and your dog. It is a very active dog, so you will need enough exercise for yourself as well as the dog to stay healthy.
Lakeland Terriers do not like to share their toys, beds or favorite spots with other pets in the home. They are very territorial and like to keep their home clear of anything they may feel is threatening.
Lakeland Terrier Nutrition And Diet.
To thrive, the Lakeland Terrier needs a diet that is high in protein, moderate in fat and low in carbohydrates and fibers. This diet should be fed to these dogs on a regular basis. However, you should also feed them a treat that is healthy every now and then.
For example, if you want to give them a treat, don’t just give them dog treats. Instead, give them a piece of fruit that is good for their teeth such as an apple or carrot.
This breed does well with minimal grooming. You should take care of their coat by brushing it out at least once a week. This will keep it healthy and prevent tangles from forming in the future.
Lakeland Terrier Health Issues.
Lakeland Terriers are a very healthy dog. However, like most dogs, they face a couple of health issues that are associated with their breed. Some of these genetic diseases include:
Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy is a genetic disease that causes the dog to have pain as well as hard lumps in their bones. This disease usually affects young dogs, although it will also affect older ones. It is recommended that you have genetic testing done on your pet if this is a concern for you.
Luxating Patella is the name of an hereditary joint disease that affects Lakeland Terriers. This disease usually affects young dogs and causes the Lakeland to limp. If the dog lives an active lifestyle, it may not become worse. However, if they stay sedentary, they may need surgery to correct their problem.
Osteochondritis Dissecans is a genetic bone disease that causes bone deterioration. This disease affects dogs between 4–8 years of age. The bones become fragile and fractured easily. They will not have any symptoms until the dog reaches adulthood, but it can also be seen in dogs that have been spayed or neutered earlier in their lives.
Lakeland Terrier Lifespan.
The Lakeland Terrier is a kind dog with an average life expectancy of 12 to 16 years. This breed is prone to minor health concerns, such as cataracts and hip dysplasia.
However, because they rarely get cancer, they live long lives. So long as they are taken care of properly, they should have no issues while growing old.
