Apartment fit
A Lakeland can suit an apartment if it gets enough exercise and owners prevent window barking and under-stimulation.
TerrierSmallGreat Britain
Lakeland Terrier
Weight
15-17 lb
Height
13.5-14.5 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Wire Medium
The Lakeland Terrier is a small British fell terrier with a harsh weather-resistant coat, bold temperament, and history working fox in rugged Lake District country.
Small British fell terrier from the Lake DistrictHarsh low-shedding coat needs terrier groomingBold, lively, and confidentNeeds exercise and prey-drive management
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Lakeland
GayFearlessConfidentBoldLivelyAlert
Weight
15-17 lb
Height
13.5-14.5 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Wire Medium
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Low
Grooming
4/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Lakeland Terrier comes from the Lake District of northern England, where small, sturdy terriers were used to work fox in rocky fell country. FCI and AKC describe a gay, fearless, confident terrier with a narrow body, harsh weather-resistant coat, and enough leg to follow rough ground.
The breed is small but not low-effort. Lakelands are lively, clever, bold, and often vocal when under-stimulated. They need daily activity, training, secure fencing, and management around small animals. The coat should be harsh and is usually maintained by hand-stripping or skilled terrier grooming, not casual brushing alone.
A Lakeland can fit active apartments or houses, but it is best for owners who enjoy terrier personality. Ask breeders about eyes, knees, skin, dental health, temperament, and coat care.
Temperament & Personality
GayFearlessConfidentBoldLivelyAlert
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a gay, fearless, confident companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Wire
Coat length
Medium
Shedding
Low
Colors
Black and tan, Blue and tan, Red, Wheaten, Red grizzle, Liver, Black, Blue
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly4/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs4/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- A home-friendly apartment match
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- low shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners who enjoy terriers
- apartment homes that can manage barking
- people willing to maintain a wire coat
- families with respectful older children
Not ideal for
- homes with free-roaming small pets
- owners wanting a low-training lapdog
- people unwilling to manage coat care
- homes that cannot provide daily activity
Common challenges
- prey drive
- alert barking
- wire coat maintenance
- independent terrier choices
- digging
Barking & behavior
Expect terrier alertness. Reward quiet check-ins and provide legal digging, sniffing, and play outlets.
Training style
Train with rewards, variety, and clear boundaries. Recall and leave-it are essential around wildlife and small pets.
Grooming & shedding
Maintain the harsh coat with combing and stripping or skilled trimming. Nail and dental care are routine priorities.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Lakeland Terriers need 60 minutes or more of daily walks, play, training, and terrier-safe outlets such as digging boxes or scent games.
Grooming
The harsh coat needs regular combing and hand-stripping or skilled trimming to keep texture. Pet clips are easier but change the coat feel.
Training
Use upbeat reward-based training with strong emphasis on recall, leash manners, quiet cues, handling, and impulse control around small animals.
Nutrition
Feed measured meals for a small active terrier and keep weight lean to protect knees, back, and stamina.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
4/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Lens luxationCataractsPatellar luxationSkin allergiesDental disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Lakeland Terrier shed?
The harsh wire coat sheds lightly when maintained, but it needs combing and stripping or skilled trimming.
Is the Lakeland Terrier good for apartments?
It can be, because it is small, but owners must manage barking, exercise, and terrier prey drive.
How much exercise does a Lakeland Terrier need?
Most need at least 60 minutes a day plus training or problem-solving games.
What colors can Lakeland Terriers be?
Common standard colors include black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, black, and blue.
Is the Lakeland Terrier good with other pets?
Care is needed. Lakelands are terriers with prey drive, so small pets and unfamiliar cats should not be assumed safe.
Is the Lakeland Terrier easy to train?
It is clever but independent. Short reward-based sessions and clear rules work better than repetition or force.
What health issues should Lakeland owners ask about?
Ask about eyes, lens luxation, patellas, dental health, allergies, and family temperament.
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