Lakeland Terrier

Lakeland Terriers have fairly high grooming requirements compared to other breeds, although their needs are pretty typical of double-coated, wire-haired dogs.

A regular grooming schedule complete with 15 to 30 minutes of brushing once a week—or more frequently for active dogs who spend a good amount of time outdoors digging in the dirt—keeps them less scraggly and more show-ring ready. A slicker brush and metal comb combo work well to remove dead hair, and special attention should be paid to the tufts on the face and legs to prevent matting. When properly groomed, Lakies are a low-shedding breed. While you’re at it, clean their ears every week and checked for signs of infection (redness, swelling, bad odor). To keep their coats shiny, they should be bathed every four to six weeks.

To clip or not to clip—that is the question. If you want to show your Lakeland Terrier, you’ll need to hand strip the coat three to four times a year. Hand stripping is a grooming technique where hair is manually plucked. You could also clip your dog, but to keep their characteristic cut, you’ll only clip certain parts of the body. Chat with your vet, a professional groomer or a breed expert about what’s best for your pup and lifestyle.

If you want to keep their signature rectangular-shaped profile, you’ll need to use grooming scissors to carefully trim facial hair to keep their handsome head of hair dapper. And their nails should be trimmed when they start making that “click-clack” noise as your Lakie scuttles across hardwood floors (about once a month or so).

Most vets recommend you brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week. This important practice helps keep dental disease, periodontal problems and bad breath at bay. Starting your pup on the practice at a young age is the best way to acclimate them. Your terrier’s teeth should also be professionally cleaned once a year by your vet.

Training a Lakeland Terrier puppy should involve positive reinforcement, an emphasis on socialization with other dogs and people, and reward-based tactics to encourage preferred behaviors over less-desirable ones (like excessive barking). Lakeland Terriers may respond well to training exercises disguised as playful games that get their mental gears going. Even a well-trained Lakie should be kept on a leash in public due to their strong prey drive and chasing instincts.

To help socialize your Lakie, take your puppy on walks and get them used to seeing people and other dogs in the area. Consider signing your pup up for puppy preschool. This is a great place for them to learn how to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people (who are not so strange after all) in one location.

Initial training sessions may be kept relatively short and should not be so repetitive you bore this highly intelligent dog. Be sure to reward their efforts with treats, praise and play breaks with fun toys. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries for your Lakie to get the hang of a task or command; it’s not that they don’t understand, they’re just reluctant to give up their rebel-hearted ways. But with practice and commitment to a positive attitude, you’ll prevail—eventually.

Some of the more problematic Lakeland Terrier traits include resource guarding (acting protective or aggressive over food or toys), chasing small animals, vigorous digging and a tendency for inappropriate barking. Most of these characteristics can be traced back to what they were bred for—burrowing into rocky crevices to hunt foxes or alerting farmers to a threat in the field. So, have patience with your pup. They’re simply doing what comes naturally.

Lakeland Terriers typically thrive on a diet of high-quality dog food that fits your pet’s stage of life (puppy, adult or senior). Be sure to look for a statement on the packaging that says it meets the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.

The Lakeland Terrier breed may become overweight if they eat more calories than they burn. As you plan mealtime, be sure to include the treats you give in your food count. (Like that slice of cake you ate the other day—those calories count!) Even an extra pound or two can adversely affect your pup’s health and cause issues down the line. If you see your pup gaining extra chub, contact your vet. They can advise you about the best diet for your pet’s individual needs and lifestyle.

Lakies thrive when they have access to wide, open spaces—or at least a big backyard. They need a lot of daily activity (at least 45 minutes of high energy activity), and pet parents should beware that if these pups can’t expend their considerable energy outside, they’ll take their frustration out in some pretty inventive ways, like digging holes in your yard or chasing the neighbor’s cat who finds their way into your backyard.

Short walks on a leash aren’t really enough exercise for Lakies; they need the chance to tire themselves out, whether through vigorous play sessions or as your jogging buddy. They make great playmates for kids, but you may want to avoid the dog park until you fully understand your pet’s temperament and know how they respond to other dogs.

Don’t forget to exercise their minds, too. Lakies are curious dogs who need mental stimulation to keep their brains engaged. This can take the form of dog sports, like agility, tracking and obedience, or it can be dog puzzles left around the house or other games you create for your pup to solve.

Although Lakeland Terriers like to speed around a yard or larger house, apartment living is not impossible. In smaller square-footage scenarios, pet parents need to commit to providing their pup with the activity and mental stimulation they crave on a daily basis. Otherwise, you may witness the scope of mischief this breed is capable of. (But lazy Saturdays have never been a thing with you, right?) Pro tip: These escape artists need a home that’s been “terrier-proofed” to ensure there are no fence gaps or small spaces your pup can squeeze through or tunnel under.

Lakies thrive best with active pet parents, and they’re a good fit for families with kids who want a spunky playmate. Although they tend to be more tolerant of canine companions than other terrier types are, families with other dogs in the house should handle introductions carefully. In some cases, this approach also applies to human guests, whom your Lakeland Terrier may be cautious around, at least at first. But proper and early socialization can help a Lakie be more comfortable around new people and dogs. (But never cats.)

The Lakeland Terrier’s double coat is designed to regulate their body temperature, so they aren’t particularly sensitive to heat or cold. But as with any dog, care should be taken in especially hot or cold climates. Your Lakie should always have access to plenty of fresh water if they’re out playing in the heat of the day.