Lakeland Terrier facts for kids
Black and tan Lakeland Terrier
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| Origin | United Kingdom (England) | |||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | ||||||||
The Lakeland Terrier is a dog breed from the Lake District in England. This small to medium-sized dog belongs to the Terrier family. Lakelands are known for being independent but also friendly with their families. They are also mostly hypo-allergenic, which means they don't shed much hair.
In the United Kingdom, the Lakeland Terrier is a "vulnerable" breed. This means there aren't many of them, and they are at risk of disappearing if more aren't bred. In the United States, they are not as common as some other breeds.
Contents
About the Lakeland Terrier
What They Look Like
Lakeland Terriers usually weigh between 15 and 17 pounds (7 to 8 kg). They are the smallest of the long-legged terriers that have black and tan fur. They look a bit like the Welsh Terrier, but they are smaller and have lighter bones. The Airedale Terrier is the largest dog in this group.
Lakelands are strong and compact dogs. They move easily and quickly. They have a narrow chest and a broad muzzle, which is a bit narrower than a Welsh Terrier's. Their ears are small and V-shaped.
This breed has a thick, wiry outer coat and a soft undercoat. They come in many colors! Some common colors are black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue, or black. Lakeland Terriers have an upright tail. In the United States, their tails are often docked (shortened). Most Lakelands grow to be about 13.5 to 15 inches (34 to 38 cm) tall at the shoulder.
Their eyes are small, dark, and oval-shaped. Their nose and paw pads are black. However, if a dog is liver-colored, its nose and pads will also be liver-colored. Liver-colored dogs also have slightly lighter eyes. If a Lakeland Terrier is groomed properly, it will not shed much hair. Regular brushing and trimming helps keep their coat healthy and looking good.
Their Personality
Lakeland Terriers are usually friendly, brave, and confident dogs. They are rarely shy or aggressive. They are very smart and think for themselves. This makes them quick to learn and easy to train. However, sometimes Lakelands might seem to ignore you if something else has caught their interest!
Lakelands are very energetic, like most terriers. They need daily exercise and playtime. If they don't get enough activity, they might find other ways to use their energy, which might not be what their owners want!
History of the Breed
The Lakeland Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, dating back to the 1700s. The word "terrier" comes from a Latin word meaning "earth." These "earth dogs" were used on farms to hunt small animals that lived underground, like foxes and badgers. They are related to the old English Black and Tan and Fell Terriers.
Their small size and high energy made them great hunters in hard-to-reach places. Lakeland Terriers can even compete in special events called Earthdog trials. In these trials, dogs go into tunnels to find "prey" (usually a caged rat or similar animal) to show off their hunting skills.
Working Lakeland Terriers are sometimes called Fell Terriers or Patterdale Terriers. Unlike some terriers that just scare their prey out, Lakelands had to be able to kill foxes in their dens.
In the Lake District of England, the mountains and rocky land made it hard to hunt foxes on horseback. So, people hunted on foot. It's thought that Lakeland Terriers have great stamina because they would run all day with the hunting dogs. This is different from their cousin, the Fox Terrier, who might be carried in a bag until the fox went underground.
The UK Kennel Club officially recognized Lakeland Terriers in 1921. Another group, the Lakeland Terrier Club, suggests it was closer to 1928. The Lakeland Terrier Association was started in 1921. Around 1925, the breed became more consistent after being crossed with the Fox Terrier and the Airedale Terrier. The Lakeland Terrier Club was founded in 1932 and helped make the breed popular through dog shows. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1934. Lakeland Terriers have won "Best in Show" twice at both Crufts (a big dog show in the UK) and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (a big dog show in the US).
Famous Lakelands
- Stingray of Derryabah - This dog was the first to win "Best in Show" at both the top US show (Westminster in 1968) and the top UK show (Crufts in 1967).
- Zelda Van Gutters - She was a "Roving Reporter" and mascot for Nickelodeon Magazine.
- Champion Revelry's Awesome Blossom - This was a top-winning Lakeland Terrier owned by Jean L. Heath and Bill Cosby.
- Kevin - This dog is owned by Neil Tennant, the singer from the band Pet Shop Boys.
See also
In Spanish: Lakeland terrier para niños
