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AKC: Lakeland Terrier breed overview

Terrier group · England

Lakeland Terrier

Also called Lakie, Lakeland

A small, bold fell terrier from the Lake District that learns fast, forgets nothing and negotiates every rule.

Lakeland Terriers were bred by farmers in the English Lake District to follow hunts across steep, rocky fells and bolt foxes that preyed on lambs. The modern Lakie is a sturdy, cheerful and very clever small dog. It is fun to train and hard to outsmart, and its wiry coat needs more care than its size suggests.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

6 to 8 kg

13 to 18 lb

Height

32 to 37 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 16 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Lakeland Terrier

Hill farmers in the Lake District didn't need a pretty terrier. They needed one tough enough to follow hounds for miles over steep, stony fells and narrow enough to push into rock crevices where foxes hid. Foxes killed lambs, and the local packs hunted on foot across country too rough for horses. The terriers that could keep up, go to ground and hold their own became the ancestors of the Lakeland.

For generations these dogs were bred for work with little concern for pedigree, and several local names were used; in some valleys the type is said to have been called the Elterwater terrier. Owners organized breed clubs in the early 20th century, and the Kennel Club in Britain recognized the Lakeland Terrier in 1928. It later proved a formidable show dog, taking Best in Show at both Crufts and Westminster.

What remains today is a compact, square little dog with a confident strut and a lively, whiskered face. Lakelands are cheerful, curious and playful well into old age. They are affectionate with their families and generally friendly with visitors, but they hold strong opinions on everything, including where digging is allowed and whether that squirrel deserves a chase.

Training defines life with a Lakie. It learns remarkably fast and delights in solving problems, which works beautifully when you guide that talent and badly when you don't. A Lakeland with a job, whether trick training, agility or scent work, is a joy. One that makes up its own jobs tends to choose barking, digging and escape artistry.

What stands out

Training

Lakelands are among the quickest learners in the terrier group, which is exactly why they can be tricky. They grasp what you want within a few repetitions, then test whether the rule still applies when you are distracted or when something more interesting appears. Consistency matters more than volume: the same rule, rewarded the same way, every time.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

active individuals and families
people who enjoy training games and dog sports
smaller homes with daily outings
owners who like a dog with plenty of personality

Think twice if

strong prey drive toward small pets
can be scrappy with other dogs
digging and escaping
coat needs stripping or clipping
keen barker at doors and windows

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Lakeland Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	7 kg	400 kcal	110 g (1 cups)
Female, typical pet	7 kg	460 kcal	125 g (1.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	8 kg	510 kcal	135 g (1.3 cups)
Male, very active	8 kg	630 kcal	170 g (1.8 cups)

Full Lakeland Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Lakeland Terrier

Feeding3 cups, split into two meals. Very active dogs doing agility or long hill walks may need more, and a quieter older dog less.Read more Puppy growthLakeland puppies reach adult height by about 8 to 10 months and final weight by around a year. The puppy coat is soft and fluffy, and the harsher adult coat starts to come through between 6 and 12 months.Read more ExerciseSixty minutes a day, split between walks, games and training, suits most adult Lakelands. They are athletic for their size and love to run, climb, dig in permitted spots and investigate.Read more GroomingVery little hair ends up on your floor, but the wiry coat still needs regular upkeep. Brush and comb once or twice a week, paying attention to the beard and leg furnishings, which tangle first.Read more HealthLong lives are typical, often 12 to 16 years, and serious problems are relatively uncommon. Conditions reported in the breed include primary lens luxation (an inherited eye problem seen in several terrier breeds), Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, some other eye issues, and skin allergies in some dogs.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Originated in the old county of Cumberland, now part of Cumbria, in northwest England
2Worked alongside foxhound packs that hunted on foot over rough fell country
3A narrow chest let it squeeze into rock crevices and fox dens
4Said to have been known locally as the Elterwater terrier before the Lakeland name was settled
5Has won Best in Show at both Crufts and Westminster
6Hand-stripping every three to four months keeps the coat harsh and richly colored

Lakeland Terrier questions

Do Lakeland Terriers shed?

Very little. The wiry outer coat holds dead hair rather than dropping it around the house, which is why it needs stripping or clipping. Some people with mild allergies find Lakelands easier to live with, although no dog is completely allergen-free. If allergies are a concern, spend time with an adult Lakeland before committing.

What is the difference between a Lakeland Terrier and a Welsh Terrier?

They look similar, especially in black and tan, but they are separate breeds. The Welsh Terrier is slightly larger and comes only in black and tan or grizzle and tan. The Lakeland is a little smaller, comes in many more colors including red, wheaten and blue, and tends to have a more compact outline.

Can Lakeland Terriers live with cats?

Many live happily with cats they are raised with. The prey drive is real, though, and outdoor or unfamiliar cats may well be chased. Introduce slowly, supervise, and give the cat escape routes and high places. Small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters are usually best kept completely separate from a Lakeland.

What does hand-stripping involve for a Lakeland Terrier?

Hand-stripping means pulling out dead outer hairs by hand or with a stripping knife so a new harsh coat can grow in. Done correctly, it doesn't hurt, since the hair being removed is already loose. A full strip is usually needed every three to four months, with lighter tidying in between. Many groomers charge more for stripping because it takes longer than clipping.

Are Lakeland Terriers good with children?

Generally, yes, with respectful children. Lakelands are playful, sturdy for their size and love games, which suits active families. Like most terriers, they won't put up with rough handling, so teach children to be gentle and to leave the dog alone while it eats or rests. Always supervise young kids and puppies together.

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