Tell me about Lakeland Terriers please

[shopafrolic]

We have historically had gun dogs - Labradors and cocker spaniels.
We lost our 11 year old lab in January, and lost our working cocker at the age of just 4 a few weeks ago. For the first time in 10 years we are dog less and the house is so quiet.
While we wait to find a trainer cocker spaniel gun dog, we would like to get a dog which would be more of a family pet e.g. Not taken on shoots
I have always wanted a terrier, and doing some research I think a Lakeland Terrier would really suit our family.
I have a 3.5 yo DS. We live in a reasonably large terraced house with a big garden. We have kennels and runs outside and lots of open fields for walking. I am a SAHM so have plenty of time for dog walking.
I am keen to know how Lakies are with children, and also other dogs (as we will get a working cocker eventually)
Sorry for the essay! All tips gratefully received.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

All the ones I know are fairly gobby barking at their owners a lot. Apart from that they are lovely friendly dogs.

[shopafrolic]

Barking at their owners? Is that typical of the breed?

[Lonecatwithkitten]

In all the ones I know yes.

[hoochymama1]

Hi Shop
We had them while we were growing up, they're a typical terrier, feisty and a bit barmy. Gorgeous little dogs. Moderate amount of exercise, no real health problems that I could remember.
They were great with me and my brother, but the ones that my parents had when we had left home were irritable with our children when they visited, but this has more to do with the way they were trained

[springlamb]

I have a Lakeland x Yorkie. Everyone agrees her temperament is almost full Lakeland (although she can do the Yorkie "I'm just a little dog that needs cuddles" thing when she chooses.
She took longer than my golden to train and I don't think it was a lack of intelligence. She's quite bossy and demanding of attention so will need lots to occupy her. She's fab with the children, likes playing in the garden with balls etc and doesn't mind the odd gaggle of frenzied girls cooing over her (although no dog will ever exceed my golden in that respect). She's quite territorial and is a better guard dog than my golden who would let the squirrels perch on his head. Although when push comes to shove, she retreats rather than confront. Never ever shown any sign of aggression.
I love it in the evening when she reverts to Yorkie and snuggles up on the sofa with me (the golden has his own sofa!).

[shopafrolic]

Thanks hoochy - that's good to know.
We were originally thinking of an Airedale but were concerned about size and read that they aren't good with kids. Further research brought us to the Lakie.
We've already owned spaniels so are well used to barmy! :)

[shopafrolic]

Spring she sounds lovely! Our dogs are kept in kennels outside at night so the guard dog bit appeals. We like a dog that makes a bit of noise when required IYSWIM
What I really want is a good family pet who will be with my DS and I when DH is off shooting with our cocker. We'll have lots of time for play and exercise so hopefully she'd be happy here. Just need to find a breeder now.

[TheMoreItSnows]

I used to know one - stubborn as a mule, loud and barky, thick skinned, bright as a button but a pain in the proverbial, unpredictably aggressive and the day she died none of the grown up kids with small grandchildren wept.

BUT she was the mother of our wonderful Lakeland Patterdale, a mix we were told would be a disaster, just to prove everyone wrong he was a wonderful dog in every way.

Like any dog - I reckon it is all in how you bring them up.....

[shopafrolic]

I think that to. It will be our first terrier but we have lots of experience with dogs so hopefully we'll be ok. Our house is so lonely at the moment without a dog.......

[shopafrolic]

Just to update, I have been in touch with loads of breeders and may well have found a bitch pup that we can collect mid Sept so very exciting. Thanks for all the comments and info.

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

Be prepared shop it's very different to owning a working cocker
We recently rescued a Staffie pup who is currently snoring her head off next to DS on the sofa Our working cockers are so different to her in so many ways. The most notable difference is her complete hatred of anything involving her stepping outside in the cold/dark/rain whereas the boys will plunge out the door in monsoon conditions without batting an eyelid. Any hopes I may have harboured of taking her on small days in the beating line are already a distant memory :o

[shopafrolic]

Thanks TheFantasticMrsFox - I have a feeling she will bring a whole new set of challenges! I'm hoping we can be a little more 'relaxed' with her than we can we have been with our cockers e.g. play ball games etc. More fun for my DS.
I'm under no illusions how difficult puppies can be though! But I couldn't ignore this face.....

[TheFantasticMrsFox]

She's gorgeous :)
DS has really taken to the SnapDragon and they are best friends. You're right in the sense that she is more fun for him. He can kick a ball, run off over the hills or just sit on the sofa with her, all things that we would drown darkly at if he tried it with the cockers :)

[trevilleswench]

Hi, a bit late to the party and I really do hope you have your pup by now. To stick in my penny's worth we have a pure bred lakie and he is a delight. Rufty tufty little dog who will run and climb fells and walk for hours if you want but also a lives a quick run around the garden and cuddle. Ours is a real home boy. Our one issue is seperation barking - he doesn't like a pack member leaving the house. Never shows aggression. He is bouncy and terrier like though but if you have cockers you'll be fine. One piece of advice is that although it's time consuming have his coat properly hand stripped or do it yourself. You lose the wiry texture and wind and waterproofing if you clip it and it will go soft and absorb the rain rather than the wiry little raincoat he was born with. Good luck!

[shopafrolic]

Thanks trevilleswench
We were due to pick up a Lakie bitch puppy next week but unfortunately she is unwell and is being treated by the vet so we can't take her. So I'm now desperately trying to find another one.......