🐾 Small · England (Lake District)
A compact working terrier originally bred in England's Lake District for underground fox and badger hunting, with an extremely high prey drive, a love of digging, and pronounced independence.
Bold to the point of fearless, tough, and largely insensitive to pain, the Patterdale Terrier is also highly self-reliant, having been bred to work without constant direction. It cannot reliably be trusted off-lead around small animals.
The breed needs several hours of intensive exercise daily, or it becomes destructive, digs up the garden, or bolts after small game. Off-lead exercise is risky because of its strong hunting instinct.
The short, low-maintenance coat requires little grooming, but securing the property and fencing takes real effort, since the breed digs and climbs. This is not a dog that copes well with being left alone for long.
Not suited to first-time owners, since its strong prey drive, stubbornness, and energy level call for experienced, consistent handling with clear boundaries. Without a job to do, the dog tends to develop behavioral problems.
As a robust, lightly overbred working breed it is generally healthy overall, but sustains above-average injuries during hunting work, such as bite wounds and bruising. Patellar luxation occurs occasionally.
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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.
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