Patterdale Terriers

[Chickchen]

I am considering a patterdale pup and am finding lots of conflicting stories so I wondered if anyone has any experience of them?

I have cats and a 4 year old, but the breeder says that the pups are in a house with cats at the moment and are fine with them and children, as are their parents. I like going out for long walks and also live round the corner from a park and lots of fields, so once they are trained to go off lead I am prepared to take them out daily to blow off steam. I do have a garden too.

I want a dog for obvious reasons, grown up with them, love them and miss having them. But also want one for peace of mind as I live alone, so I don't want anything tiny or yappy, but also can't have anything too big as my house isn't huge. I've read patterdales are fiercely loyal if they need to be.

I work shifts, but only 3 per week maximum. However, my parents live round the corner where someone will often be home and they have another dog, they have said they'd be happy to take the dog. I'm also happy to pay a dog walker.

I'm also planning puppy training classes and perhaps looking into agility.

So does anyone with experience think this would be right for me or have any recommendations?

[TheTempest]

Hi I have a Patterdale terrier and to be honest she is the hardest work dog I’ve ever known. She hates being left (even with my other dogs), is aggressive to all other animals except my dogs. I’d get an easier breed for a first dog tbh x

[Wolfiefan]

They are extremely hard work. The only one I have ever met without issues was the result of a VERY dedicated owner
If you are considering a pedigree you need to find a breeder through the breed club. They would also be worth contacting regarding breed traits.

[Thatsnotmyotter]

My concern would be that Patterdales aren’t a KC recognised breed and are more of a ‘type’ of terrier. This means there will be massive variation in characteristics so you won’t really know what you’re getting (not that you can ever be sure) and don’t have the assurance that your breeder has maintained good breeding standards.

The only patterdale I know is a cross and he is an absolute pain in the arse. But I put that down to poor ownership mostly!

[reallyanotherone]

Yep, sorry, agree with above.

Friends have one and it is obsessed with chasing small furries, cats in particular.

I don’t know if it’s a breed trait but this one only seems interested in it’s own agenda- it’s the least “pet” like dog i have known. It’s as happy as larry hunting, sniffing and walking, but it doesn’t seem to interact with other animals and humans.

Owner is a single bloke and it seems to suit him, he works outdoors and the dog can keep itself busy all day.

[minkies11]

My DF has a patterdale - they are hard work but lovely little critters. I would seriously rethink getting one though - they will literally chase anything so having a cat would not really be fair.

[missbattenburg]

We have JRTs and they are more than enough. Patterdales are JRTs on steroids

They would not be my choice, I'm afraid, OP.

I've read patterdales are fiercely loyal if they need to be.

This is not a good thing. This is just fancy word dressing for a dog that is suspicious and aggressive. Not saying Patterdales are, just that I would not be attracted to a dog based on this description.

[EnidPrunehat]

Patterdales are great but extremely hard work - like extremely! - and I certainly wouldn't recommend them with cats. They also need an insane amount of exercise - but are notorious for sodding off into the far distance and not being very bothered about when they return. I've got loads of experience with terriers and Jack Russells in particular who can be another highly independent breed but when I dog-sit a friend's Patterdale, I'm reminded that they wouldn't be right for me. Also, while they mayn't necessarily be 'yappy', that doesn't mean they aren't vocal!

[Villanellesproudmum]

Not with cats, terriers have a high prey drive.

[MrsIronfoundersson]

A neighbour had one that I used to walk for her occasionally- as really said, he didn't interact much with anybody, did his own thing and paid no attention to owner or me! Least interactive dog I've ever met.

[tabulahrasa]

Every one I’ve ever known has been dog aggressive...

I’m assuming they can’t all be, but, that makes me a bit wary of them.

[Calvinsmam]

My ex had a patterdale and she was lovely but really really hard work, terrible with kids and the grumpiest little animal I’ve ever met.
We all loved her but my goodness I wouldn’t have chosen her.

[BorderlineExperimental]

They can be lovely little dogs but ultimately they’re still essentially a working dog and are pretty much as hardcore as terriers get.

Patterdale Terrier Rescue has a lot of rather frank information about the breed, well worth having a read through if you’re considering one.

If you particularly like terriers there are many that would be much, much easier for a first time owner with a child and cats.

[Honeyroar]

I've known a few friends that had them. They were cute and funny little things, but the most un obedient dogs I've ever seen. One minute they'd be playing with you, the next they'd have bugger ex off up the valley on a mission, paying no attention to any commands or shouts. They'd go for miles up the hill, and it was always the owner that had to go and get them. They also went awol for days on end. Very hard work to own!

[florentina1]

I agree with them being fiercely loyal, which can mean they are a one person dog and clingy. Mine could not be left with another person, especially if they have other dogs. She Would not go out with a dog walker unless she was the only dog. She likes to guard me and is not too keen on DH.

With lots of consistent training they can be very good, but always have that prey drive that occasionally overrides everything else. I feel that as a breed they need to be in a home where they are rarely left alone.

[willywillywillywilly]

I have a patterdale and he is a total radge. I love him dearly but he is crazy. Would not harm a child but very boisterous. I 100% would not have him near a cat.

[florentina1]

I have just read your post again and would absolutely not have a Patterdale with a 4 year old.

[willywillywillywilly]

Also YY to prey drive and extreme clinginess to one person

[WildFlower2019]

I have one.

Love him to bits.

But never again.

[florentina1]

Also, with regard to recommendations, my son has just got a working Cocker Spaniel Puppy. He is an absolute dream of a dog. He goes to puppy classes and has learned masses already. He is affectionate and very intelligent. My Grandchildren adore him. My 5 year old GD was quite nervous of dogs, but this puppy has given her loads of confidence.

[DuffBeer]

Totally agree with others. I've also known a few personally and the breed traits are not something I like and I am a very experienced dog owner.

Basically, they are bloody hard work and the negatives way outweigh the positives.

What attracts you to this breed exactly?

[sunshinesupermum]

Wow! I loved my Patterdale to pieces and was devastated that my ex got him when we divorced.

Having said that I have no idea how he would have been around a cat nor small kids as mine had grown up by then.

[TheoriginalLEM]

I think i have two patterdale crosses. One is a border terrier cross and is a bastard with other dogs. The other is really a god knows what and his prey drive is strong. I couldn't trust either with cats.

Terriers are hard work. All the traits that make then fantastic are all the traits that make them little bastards

[Decormad38]

I have the loveliest Patterdale Border cross. Everyone says she’s their favourite dog. Great with kids. Easy going. Only barks when postman comes. Loves the cat. They go for walks together. 💕

[Debruary]

My beloved boy was a Patterdale, I adored him and he adored me. He’s the dog that will greet me with St Peter at the Pearly Gates.

Would I have another? No way. Very hard work (and we’re an energetic family- current dog is a Springer), very ‘protective’ of me, no bloody recall at all, and even though he paid little heed to other dogs, most of them despised him.

I loved him to pieces and he had a happy life, but I don’t personally think they are a breed suited to being family pets.

[TheoriginalLEM]

Oh God mine has absolutely zero recall and as a consequence is never walked off lead. Probably the most affectionate dog I've had but id never get another