Lakeland Terries
To the casual eye, the Lakeland Terrier is almost identical to the Welsh Terrier. The two are often confused, but they are not related. More likely, the Lakeland is a cousin of the Bedlington, the Dandie Dinmont, and the Border Terrier, and with them goes back to the old Black and Tan Terrier.
The Lakeland didn’t become a Lakeland until 1921, when a group of English fanciers adopted the name. Before that, it had been known as the Patterdale Terrier and by various local names. The farmers of Cumberland County in England utilized him for both sporting and working purposes, and he was bred for his courage, stamina, and persistence.
He should be a small dog, not over 17 pounds, with a hard, dense, wiry coat. The most popular color combination nowadays is tan and black, although other colors, including blue, are also acceptable. When the old Patterdale Terrier expanded from its native environment in the Lake District of England, breeders found a ready market for the black and tan combination. They concentrated on it, so that other colors are now only rarely seen.
Strength to the argument that the Lakeland is related to the Bedlington, the Border and the Dandie Dinmont is gathered from the fact that all came from neighboring counties and un-doubtedly intermingled, thus producing some characteristics that are common to all, The Lakeland, though an ancient breed, didn’t gain recognition in America until 1934. The formation of a club helped solidify the owners and breeders, and he has enjoyed a steady, though not spectacular, popularity.