Lakeland Terrier puppies

About the Lakeland Terrier

The Lakeland Terrier was bred by fell farmers in the English Lake District to follow a fox to ground and deal with it, which called for a narrow, tough dog in a hard weatherproof jacket. They stand 37 to 38 cm and weigh around 7.7 kg, with a wiry double coat over a softer undercoat and a long, dark, rectangular head. They are cocky and self assured, come at life at full tilt outdoors, and are a good deal more civilised in the house than that suggests.

Exercise means a long daily walk or jog plus regular chances to run flat out on a long line in a safe place, because short lead walks do nothing for the head. Hand stripping keeps the colour and harsh texture; clipping softens and fades the coat. Loose hair stays in the jacket rather than on the sofa, so brush weekly to lift it out. Prey drive is real, so fence properly and keep a lead on near wildlife. They rate middling with children, so supervise and socialise.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Lakeland Terrier puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A small breed puppy at eight weeks is light enough to carry everywhere, which is exactly how you get them socialised before the vaccination course finishes. They will still need four meals a day. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Primary lens luxation, detectable by DNA test
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, diagnosed by x-ray of the hip in a young dog
• Ear infections, found by checking regularly under the hair of the ear
• Dental and periodontal disease, found at veterinary dental checks and kept down by regular tooth brushing

Your Lakeland Terrier puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Small for a Lakeland Terrier.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 7.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 24 inch (24 x 18 x 20 in, 61 x 46 x 51 cm) for an adult of up to 7.7 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other small breeds

More on the Lakeland Terrier

Previous: Lagotto Romagnolo · Next: Lancashire Heeler

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Lakeland Terrier breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/lakeland-terrier/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.