INTRODUCTION

Lakeland Terriers were originally bred to hunt foxes that preyed on sheep during lambing season in the Lake District of northern England. Today’s Lakies, as these lively, feisty little dogs are nicknamed, are affectionate, friendly and confident, and although they are purebred dogs, some may end up in the care of shelters or rescues. The Lakeland Terrier is a loving dog when it comes to the humans in its life. Although they have high energy and exercise needs, their small size can help them adapt to flat living, as long as they get plenty of physical activity. In a home with a backyard, a high, sturdy fence is essential to prevent roaming and chasing wildlife. These dogs respond well to confident parents who know how to set boundaries. Give this puppy plenty of patient training and active play time, and you’ll have a loving, furry family member.AniMall24 recommends a dog bed to give your medium-sized Lakie a good night’s sleep. You should also buy a dog toy to burn off your puppy’s high energy.

HIGHLIGHTS

Never buy a Lakeland from a puppy broker or pet shop. Reputable breeders do not sell to middlemen or retailers, and there is no guarantee that the puppy has healthy parents and a good temperament. Ask for references so that you can contact other puppy buyers and see if they are happy with their Lakeland. Doing your homework can save you a lot of aggravation later on.Lakeland Terriers are excitable dogs and have a lot of energy.They are a very intelligent breed that can take advantage of an insecure owner and become the “ruler of the house”. Make sure your Lakie knows who the alpha is in your home (hopefully it’s you!) Lakeland Terriers are prone to chase other animals or anything else that might interest them. Be on a leash when in unfenced areas.Speaking of fences, it’s best if you have a fenced yard for your Lakies to play in. Make sure the fence is very secure. Barking is sometimes a problem for Lakeland Terriers, who can be stubborn and difficult to train. Lakeland Terriers can be stubborn and difficult to housebreak, so crate training is recommended. Their aggressiveness as terriers can get out of hand if their owners are not respected and they are not trained properly.

HISTORY

The Lakeland Terrier was born in the county of Cumberland, in the beautiful but treacherous Lake District of England, near the Scottish border. The Lake District is known for its beautiful hills and mountains. Beatrix Potter had a farm here, where she, like many of the farmers in this region, raised a rare and hardy breed of sheep called Herdwicks. The terrain is harsh and rugged, and sheep farms dot the picturesque landscape. A large, aggressive type of fox, called the Westmoreland fox, preys on the sheep, especially during lambing season, which coincides with the time when the foxes wean their cubs. The Lakeland’s job was to “go to ground” when the fox entered its den and kill it.Some of the small hunting terriers were also owned by miners and other workers who used them for sports, such as badger digging, rabbit hunting, rat hunting and fox hunting.Eventually, “meets” were held where people could show their dogs. Lakelands were first classified as coloured working terriers to differentiate them from white terriers (although sometimes both came from the same litter).Lakelands are related to several terrier breeds, such as the Old English Black and Tan Terrier (now extinct), the Dandie Dinmont and Bedlington Terrier, and the Border Terrier. It is one of the oldest working terrier breeds still in use today, and in 1921 the Lakeland Terrier Association was formed in England. The American Kennel Club first registered a Lakeland Terrier, Eaton What A Lad Of Howtown, in 1934, by which time he had his present name and was a regular at shows in both the United States and England. Breeders strove to produce dogs that had the appearance necessary for show success while retaining the working characteristics so highly prized. The Lakeland has won most of the major shows and prizes to be found throughout the world. The first grand champion Lakeland Terrier was named Rogerholme Recruit, who won Best in Show at the prestigious Crufts Dog Show in England in 1963. Just three years later, in 1967, another English Lakeland Terrier named Stingray of Derryabahwon won Best in Show at the 1967 Crufts and Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1968, and in the early 1970s, Ch Special Edition won dozens of Bests in Show, and another Lakie named Ch Jo-Ni’s Red Baron of Crofton won 73 Bests in Show, the last being in 1976 at the Westminster Centenary Show. Other Lakeland Terriers have also demonstrated the breed’s show appeal by winning multiple Best in Show, Group and other awards. In the early 1990s, an exceptional Lakie named Ch. Revelry’s Awesome Blossom, owned by Jean L. Heath and comedian Bill Cosby, emerged. Her remarkable show record includes over 100 all-breed show awards, making her one of the winningest show dogs of all time.