Lakeland Terrier

Before you give any Lakeland Terrier a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Not every dog suffers from them but it’s good to be prepared.

To find out more about potential health issues for Lakeland Terriers, speak to your local vet. Some vet practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations’ where you can get advice on potential health conditions, management options and a rough idea of associated costs.

If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, they’re also be able to give you advice on finding a responsible breeder, as well as testing for inheritable diseases.

Whatever the breed, all dogs need basic preventative health care like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. You also need insurance to help cover the cost of vet bills. 

There is no set amount for how much food your Lakeland Terrier needs. This will depend on their:

• age
• size
• activity levels
• fitness
• weight.

The information on dog food packets can be a helpful guide, but you still need to adapt the portion size to your dog’s individual needs.

It’s helpful to know your Lakeland Terrier’s body condition when deciding how much food to give them. You can find out about body condition scoring through the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA).

Check with your vet to find out more. 

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they need training and benefit from daily enrichment.

If you enjoy regular time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Lakeland Terriers require training like all dogs and benefit from daily enrichment. When exercising your pooch, consider their:

• age
• health
• personality.  

These factors will impact your dog’s needs. Puppies, for example, might need a few short walks. Older, ill, or injured dogs on the other hand may need a personalised plan based on advice from your vet. Some dogs might like quiet walks while others prefer something more sociable or energetic.

Your vet can provide more advice on exercising your four-legged friend. 

Lakeland Terriers shed very little. To put your dog at ease and help their confidence, introduce handling and grooming step by step. This will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone and ensure a positive experience for your pup.

In their crate, your dog should be able to comfortably:

• sit and stand at their full height
• turn around without touching the edges
• lie down at full stretch
• wag their tail.  

Gradually build up the time your dog spends in their crate, so they feel good about it and associate it with positive things happening. 

Each dog has their own personality and individual experiences of the world. So, each dog has their own temperament.

Two Lakeland Terriers, for example, may have very different ways of reacting to certain situations. They also have different likes and dislikes.

Some dogs might love socialising with other puppy pals while others may not. One might crave excitement while another finds a more relaxing atmosphere enjoyable.

Any dog can be taught new tricks, whatever their breed. It’s all about positive learning. Find out what motivates your dog, whether that’s treats, toys or praise. You can use this as a reward throughout training to make it a positive experience for everyone.

They also need some useful life skills like recall, loose lead walking and settling. This will ensure that you and your pup both feel relaxed spending time together out and about or at home.

Every dog has a different personality shaped by their life experiences. They develop likes and dislikes as they grow, and react differently to situations.

However, some ways of respecting and behaving safely around dogs are universal to all pooches. It’s important for the whole family to know about this. 

To learn more, why not book one of our family workshops on living happily together? They’re suitable for children aged seven to eleven.