

The Lakeland Terrier is a fearless, highly agile Erdhund (earth dog)—bred to pursue foxes deep into their rocky dens in the rugged mountains of the Lake District. This intrepid nature makes him a self-confident companion who never shies away from a challenge.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Lakeland Terrier fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
35–39 cm
Weight
7–9 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Lakeland Terrier, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Lakeland Terrier — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Lakeland Terrier loves to cuddle on the sofa, but deep down, he remains a fearless warrior in a compact format. What once enabled him to face a fox in a dark rock crevice ensures that in everyday life, he won't back down from even the largest dog. You aren't getting a passive follower, but a huge, courageous personality on small paws that will challenge you every single day.
The Lakeland Terrier is a small, compact and well-proportioned breed of dog native to the Lake District in northwest England. The body is strong and athletic, which helps the dogs move quickly and nimbly over rough terrain. They belong to FCI Group 3: Terriers and are known for their hard, dense fur that protects them from the elements. The Lakeland Terrier's face is a distinctive feature with dark, oval eyes and an intelligent and alert expression. Their ears are small and V-shaped that fall forward. Their tail is usually carried erect, giving them a happy and lively appearance.
Lakeland Terriers are active and intelligent dogs that are known for their cheeky and confident personality. They are cheerful and tireless, which makes them great companion dogs. Their work instincts are still strong, meaning they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. As terriers, they are independent thinkers who like to explore the world in their own way. They can also be quite stubborn, which can make them a challenge at times. Despite their independence, they are very people-oriented and build strong bonds with their families. They love being the center of attention and are always ready to start a game or activity. Although they are small, they are brave and will not hesitate to defend themselves against larger dogs. Their high energy and strong hunting instincts make them enthusiastic and persistent hunters. Therefore, it is important to provide them with a safe and enclosed environment to play and explore. Lakeland Terriers are also very alert and will quickly become aware of any suspicious noises or movements. They tend to bark a lot, especially when they are bored or calm. Although they can learn to stay alone, it is better not to leave them unattended for long periods of time as they can be prone to destructive behavior when bored or anxious. The Lakeland Terrier's social nature tends to make them good companions for other dogs, although they should exercise caution around smaller pets, such as cats or rodents, due to their prey drive. Early socialization and training are crucial to ensure they get along well with other dogs and people. They tend to get along well with children, especially when growing up with them, but due to their energy and roughness they should always be supervised. Overall, the Lakeland Terrier is a fun and charming companion that is perfect for active families willing to meet his needs for exercise and mental stimulation. Their intelligence, wit, and stamina make them a unique and rewarding companion for those willing to embrace their quirks and meet their needs.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Lakeland Terrier was originally bred to repel foxes and other pests from the rocks and caves of the Lake District in England? This explains their ability to crawl through narrow spaces and their fearlessness against larger animals!
The Lakeland Terrier comes from Cumberland, the most northwestern, high-altitude, bare, lake-rich county in England. The Lakeland hunting grounds were located in the rugged highlands of Cumberland and neighboring counties. Bred from the "Old English Black and Tan Terrier", the Bedlington was crossed to improve its temperament and the Border because of its wiry, water-repellent hair. The Lakeland is endowed with a lot of self-confidence and has an uncomplicated, happy nature that makes him a very good family dog. Enterprising and persistent, fearless in his demeanor, he is very suitable as an attentive guard. Difficulties can arise when meeting other dogs. However, if trained consistently, the Lakeland is an active, spirited companion who is ideal as a playmate for children.
Despite their high energy and hunting instincts, Lakeland Terriers can be kept as city dogs as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. They generally get along well with children but should always be supervised to avoid excessive play or rough behavior. With early and proper socialization, they can also get along well with other pets, including cats.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Lakeland Terriers are intelligent and eager to learn, making them good candidates for training and education. They respond well to positive reinforcement and can learn a variety of commands and tricks. However, they can also be stubborn, so training requires patience and consistency. Because of their hunting instincts, it is important to begin leash and recall training early. They also enjoy various dog sports such as agility and flyball, which can help channel their energy and keep them mentally stimulated. However, it is important to be careful not to over-busy or over-stimulate them, as this can lead to stress and anxiety. Lakeland Terriers tend to develop a strong bond with their owners, and they can exhibit frustration and separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. Therefore, it is important to teach them to stay alone and train their impulse control.
The Lakeland Terrier's diet should be balanced and nutritious to support its high energy and health. High-quality dog food that contains meat as the main ingredient is always a good choice. Make sure you control portion sizes to avoid becoming overweight, as they can be prone to weight gain if overfed. Grooming the Lakeland Terrier is relatively straightforward, thanks to its hard and dense coat that doesn't shed much. They have an undercoat that protects them from extreme weather conditions. Their coat should be brushed regularly to keep it clean and tangle-free. They get along well with the climate in Germany.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding No or minimal hair loss — suitable for allergy sufferers. | No shedding |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid
Health grade
The Lakeland Terrier is healthy with an average genetic load: the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (2023) describes it as a healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years, and no severe hereditary diseases are recorded in the CIDD specialist database. Worth noting are the rarely occurring Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) and hereditary eye problems. A health-oriented breeder therefore has their breeding animals additionally tested for LCPD and has an ophthalmological eye examination performed. Before buying a puppy, ask to see the parents' test results: unremarkable for LCPD and clear in the eye examination.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
With joint-friendly rearing, a healthy weight, and regular eye check-ups, most dogs remain fit and active for a long time.
Responsible breeders have their dogs screened for eye problems through an ophthalmological eye exam, and also tested for Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD).
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
We sort tests into three tiers — from the core standard to a fully exemplary program.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Klub für Terrier e.V. von 1894
Acceptable result: DNA-Typisierung durchgeführt (Blut als Untersuchungsmaterial)
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Lakeland Terrier costs around ~€170 per month (€90 – €310, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,820 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€29,750.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€160 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€170
In the first year
~€4,820
Across the dog's life
~€29,750
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe Lakeland Terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds and comes from the picturesque Lake District in northwest England. Originally it was used as a working dog whose main task was to hunt foxes and other pests that posed a threat to sheep herds. Their size and agility allowed them to pursue foxes into their dens, a talent that was particularly useful in the harsh and mountainous landscape of their home range. The breed was developed in the early 1800s and is likely descended from a mix of Bedlington Terrier and Fox Terrier. However, they were not officially recognized by the Kennel Club in Great Britain until 1932.
The Lakeland Terrier was bred to hunt foxes and other predators in the Lake District fells.
England
1900
Owners consistently describe the Lakeland Terrier as a cheerful, very lively and affectionate housemate that would love to go everywhere with its people. Within its own family it's considered playful, cuddly and very loyal. With children, too, it comes across as sturdy and patient, as long as they treat the dog with respect. Its handy size leads some people to underestimate it, though: many owners stress that its compact body holds the energy and self-confidence of a large working dog.
At the same time, owners repeatedly point out that the breed needs a lot of activity. Short rounds of the block are nowhere near enough for a Lakeland; without long walks, brain work or dog sports, it quickly gets restless. Another recurring everyday challenge is its alertness: many owners report a fairly strong tendency to sound off and bark at suspicious noises at the door or in the yard. When meeting other dogs it's often surprisingly fearless, but it sometimes overestimates itself and shows no fear of bigger dogs.
Sources:zoomalia.dediehundezeitung.commit-tier.deloyal-paw.comwelpen.de
In owner accounts of training, the Lakeland Terrier comes across as very smart but strong-willed and fond of arguing. It learns new cues fast but likes to question their purpose, or only carries them out willingly if there's a suitable reward in it. Experienced owners unanimously recommend very consistent handling that's also completely fair and patient. With this sensitive but stubborn dog, pressure, harshness or mindless repetition usually just lead to refusal, while motivation with a sense of humor and positive reinforcement work best.
The deep-rooted hunting drive gets the most intense discussion in forums. Originally bred to hunt predators, including underground in their dens, the Lakeland reacts in a flash to anything it sees or smells. Many owners describe reliable off-leash time in the woods or near fields as requiring years of intensive anti-hunting and recall training, and even then it isn't completely safe with every dog of the breed. Many owners therefore describe long-line training and controlled substitute activities, such as nose work, tracking or retrieving games, as indispensable.
Sources:zoomalia.deloyal-paw.comwelpen.demein-haustier.deeinfachtierisch.de
On health, owners and breed experts overwhelmingly describe the Lakeland Terrier as a tough, long-lived and resilient dog that, when well cared for, can easily reach 13 to 15 years or more. As with many smaller breeds and terriers, issues like patellar luxation or hereditary eye diseases come up now and then in breeding and owner circles, but compared with many fashionable breeds, the Lakeland is considered not very prone to illness.
A central topic in owner accounts is grooming the wiry coat. Many owners really appreciate that, with correct grooming, the breed hardly sheds and tracks little dirt indoors. However, they regularly point out that the coat has to be expertly hand-stripped (plucked) every few months. A common frustration among owners is finding capable groomers, since some salons shy away from time-consuming hand-stripping and wrongly reach for the clippers, which, according to owner reports, destroys the coat's protective wiry texture and leads to soft, matting hair. Regularly cleaning the ear canals and plucking the hair inside them is also mentioned as an important grooming step to prevent infections.
Sources:zoomalia.deloyal-paw.comwelpen.dezooplus.dehundeportal24.eu
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Lakeland Terrier is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Lakeland Terrier is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Lakeland Terrier grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Lakeland Terrier can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Lakeland Terrier comes in these colors: Black and tan, Blue and tan, Red, Wheaten, Grizzle, Liver, Blue, Black.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Lakeland Terrier.