Lakelands, like most other terriers, are a relatively recent breed. At the most recent national specialty, the United States Lakeland Terrier Club celebrated seventy-five years of breed recognition by the American Kennel Club. This compares with breeds that have been in existence for hundreds, or even thousands, of years.

A loose assortment of working terriers, none of whom would resemble the modern-day Lakeland, was actively hunting fox in the Lakes District of England. The terrain is harsh and rugged, and sheep farms dotted the scenic countryside. The Westmoreland fox preyed on the sheep, and thus the Lakeland’s original purpose was to protect the farmer’s sheep warrens. The most successful terriers had a harsh, weather-resistant coat and a sturdy, yet agile, build. Above all, temperament was crucial. A Lakeland, no matter how small or soft-coated, could never stand up to the rigors of foxhunting if not for its boldness and intelligence.

It is certain that Lakelands were bred down from the now extinct Black and Tan terrier (of which the Manchester terrier is considered the most similar modern version); however the other terriers that went into the breed’s development are not as clear. At the turn of the century most modern-day terriers were themselves in the formative stages of breed development, thus it is difficult to identify which terriers played a significant role in what would become the Lakeland Terrier. It is certain, however, that the Welsh Terrier (with which the Lakeland is often confused) did not play a major role in the Lakeland’s development. In fact, it has been argued that the Bedlington Terrier is more closely related to the Lakie than is the Welsh.

For decades the breed was used almost exclusively for their original purpose, and seldom were they kept even as pets. Unlike some of the other terriers, they were a working-man’s breed and as such they were kept on farms—usually in packs. An unusually aggressive Lakie would have been quickly excluded from the pack, either by his fellow workers or the farmer. Unlike some of the “sporting terriers,” Lakelands were workers and had to both think independently and co-operate with a larger group.

With the increased interest in dog shows, Lakelands came to be known for more than their working ability. First exhibited in England under a variety of names, including the Fell and Patterdale Terrier, local breeders met in 1935 to form a new breed club and settled on the name “Lakeland Terrier”. The breed was accepted into the Kennel Club’s stud book soon after. Within a few years, the breed had a solid footing in Great Britain and the United States and, because of the dedication of a small group of breeders, basic type and structure emerged.

The emphasis in breeding turned away from the working dogs and toward producing smart-looking show terriers that retained the characteristics prized by the breed’s original founders. They also became highly prized as family pets. Their gregarious personality and highly adaptable nature, small size, and hard coat makes them delightful companions for a wide variety of living situations.

In the ensuing years, Lakelands gained a reputation as formidable challengers in the show ring. And, relative to their numbers, they have certainly lived up to the “hype”. The breed has conquered most major shows and awards in the world. The first great champion was the English bitch, Champion Rogerholme Recruit, who took Best-in-Show at Crufts ’63 (then the largest and still the most prestigious dog show in England). This was soon followed by the English dog, Ch. Stingray of Derryabah, who went Best-in-Show at Crufts ’67 and also at Westminster ’68 (the most prestigious show in the USA). In the early seventies, “Mike” (Ch Special Edition) scored dozens of Bests in Show, in the days when dog shows were fewer and (because of more limited transportation) far between. Not long after, the “Baron” (Ch Jo-Ni’s Red Baron of Crofton) embarked on a spectacular career that culminated in Best in Show at Westminster ’76. In 1982, Jamboree Jubilee made a stunning victory at Montgomery County (largest and most prestigious terrier show in the world), going Best from the classes. Also in the 1980s, “Flirt” (Ch Kilfel Pointe of Vu) was also Best-in-Show at Montgomery County. The early 1990s saw the emergence of “Awesome Blossom”, whose remarkable show record included more than 100 All-Breed Bests in Show, making her among the top-winning showdogs of all time. And, as recently as October 2004, “Austin” (Ch Northcote Delzar Serious Riot) triumphed as Best in Show at Montgomery. Beyond these “highlights”, a Lakeland has usually been among the top-winning terriers in any given year, and there have been dozens of all-breed Best in Show winners.

The breed’s success is because of the hard work and dedication of a core group of true breeders. Patricia Peters, Jean Heath, Susan Fraser, M.J. Cohen, Terri Alloway, Pat Rock, and Claire Atkins represent some of the most successful long-time North American breeders. These people have dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to protecting the integrity of the breed, and have been richly rewarded for their efforts in the show ring.

While few modern-day Lakelands are required to hunt fox in a harsh and unforgiving environment, they should nonetheless possess the basic characteristics that would enable them to do so. To this end, all reputable breeders strive to produce Lakelands that conform to the Breed Standard, which is a written set of qualities that would define a “perfect Lakeland Terrier”. Although interpretation of the standard will vary among fanciers, the overall goal of preserving the essence of the breed is shared by all serious breeders.

For a more detailed history of Lakeland Terriers, I can direct you to only a few materials, most of which are difficult to obtain. As with most relatively rare breeds, the resources are limited.
 

For further information on the Lakeland Terrier visit: www.lakeland-terriers.org