The Lakeland Terrier, a bold and friendly dog with a confident, "cock-of-the-walk" attitude. He is a hardy working dog known for his tenacity and good humor, and is able to adapt to most living conditions -- in the city or the country.

Originally from Cumberland County England, the Lakeland Terrier was bred to hunt vermin in the rugged shale mountains of the Lake District of northern England. This sturdy hunter is also known for his bold, confident and friendly disposition, making him a great companion.

The Lakeland Terriers' coat needs brushing weekly and shaping every few months, leaving his appearance neat and workmanlike. The coat itself is two-ply or double, with the outer coat hard and wiry in texture and the undercoat close to the skin and soft.

The Lakeland Terrier comes in a variety of colors, all of which are equally acceptable. Solid colors include blue, black, liver, red, and wheaten. In saddle marked dogs, the saddle covers the back of the neck, back, sides and up the tail. A saddle may be blue, black, liver, or varying shades of grizzle. The remainder of the dog (head, throat, shoulders, and legs) is a wheaten or golden tan. Grizzle is a blend of red or wheaten intermixed in varying proportions with black, blue or liver.-- Lakeland Terrier Standard

His gait is straightforward and free -- efficient and ground-covering. The Lakeland has well angulated shoulders, his thighs are powerful and well muscled.

The Lakeland Terrier has a long neck that is "clean" at the throat. The neck arches slightly, then widens smoothly into the shoulders. His tail is set high on his back -- docked in show dogs, so the tip of the tail is level with the occiput when in show stance.

The hair on the Lakelands' face is trimmed, leaving the hair longer over the eyes to give the head a rectangular appearance from all angles, with the eyes covered from above. Expression depends on the dog's mood of the moment. His eyes are quite apparent from the front, giving the Lakeland his own unique mischievous expression -- typically alert, his expression may be intense and determined, or gay and even impish.

To learn more about this hardy, moderate dog, please visit the United States Lakeland Terrier Club.