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Origin, character and care of one of the most elegant and spirited of all terrier breeds. Everything you should know before sharing your life with a Lakeland Terrier.
The Lakeland Terrier is a British breed of great personality, native to the Lake District in the north of England. It was born as a bold, hardy and determined working dog, bred to accompany man over difficult ground and to face the most demanding conditions.
Though compact in size, it is distinguished by its self-assured character, its lively expression and its elegant bearing. This is a breed with a true terrier soul: active, intelligent, inquisitive, courageous and forever alert to everything around it.
The Lakeland Terrier comes from Great Britain, specifically from the region known as the Lake District. Its development was bound to rural life and to work in the field, where hardy, agile dogs with character enough to handle difficult terrain were needed.
Its history is defined by function. It was never created as an ornamental dog, but as a working terrier, able to move with speed, determination and confidence.
In time it also came to excel in the show ring, thanks to its elegance, its compact outline, its alert expression and its characteristic coat.
The utilisation of the Lakeland Terrier is that of a terrier. It was bred to act with courage, speed and decision in the tasks proper to terriers. Its compact structure, its hard and weather-resistant coat, its agility and its confident temperament all answer to that original purpose.
Although many Lakelands today live as companions or compete in the show ring, the breed keeps its essence intact: character, energy, intelligence and resolve.
It has a keen expression and an attitude that is always on the alert. It is intelligent, quick of movement and full of personality. It can be deeply affectionate with its family, yet equally independent and strong-willed.
For this reason it needs consistent training from puppyhood, proper socialisation and a family able to guide it with firmness, patience and respect. This is no dull or timid breed: a good Lakeland is attentive, confident, friendly and full of life.
The coat must be dense, harsh and weather-resistant, with a good undercoat. It is part of the functional identity of the breed and calls for proper maintenance, above all hand-stripping, to preserve its correct texture.
Small tips of white on the feet and chest are permissible, though undesirable. Mahogany or deep tan shades are not typical of the breed. The nose is black, except in liver-coated specimens, in which it is liver-coloured.
The Lakeland Terrier is a wonderful dog, but it is not for everyone. This is an active breed with a strong character: it needs daily exercise, consistent training and socialisation from puppyhood. Its terrier instinct and its energy call for a committed family.
If you are looking for a keen, courageous companion full of life, and you are willing to give it your time, proper coat care and mental stimulation, the Lakeland will repay you with loyalty and joy for many years to come.
Official standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, published on 19 May 2009 (valid original version of 26 March 2009).
Great Britain.
Group 3 · Section 1. Large and medium-sized Terriers. Without working trial.
Terrier.
Maximum height 37 cm at the withers. Dogs 7.7 kg; bitches 6.8 kg.
Source: FCI Standard No. 70 · Lakeland Terrier (19.05.2009).
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