About the Patterdale Terrier

Patterdale terriers are small working dogs, who originated from the north of England. They're known to be fiery and feisty, with a true terrier temperament. Although they're not yet recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club, they've been recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1995.

  1. History

    • Patterdale terriers were first bred in the United Kingdom, in Yorkshire and the Lake District. It's unknown exactly where they come from, but they're named after the Cumbrian village of Patterdale, where they were extremely common. It's thought that this breed is mainly descended from the fell terrier. These dogs are bred more for their working ability than their appearance. This makes it hard to maintain a true breed standard, which may be why they're not recognized by the AKC.

    Appearance

    • Patterdale terriers should be compact, balanced and lean. They're small dogs, measuring between 10 and 15 inches high to the shoulder. Their weight should be proportionate to their height, but ideally should be muscular with no excess fat. They have coarse, wiry coats, that can be either smooth or broken. They can be black and tan, red, bronze, liver, grizzle or black in color. White markings on their feet and chests are acceptable, but they shouldn't have any on their heads or bodies.

    Temperament

    • Despite their diminutive size, Patterdale terriers couldn't be considered toy or lap dogs. Although they're more relaxed and less yappy than some other terriers, they have a background as working dogs and should be treated as such. They're energetic and lively dogs, with high prey drive, so they need to be watched around wildlife and other household pets. They have determined and tough personalities, but they also love to please. They can make great pets if well-trained and socialized.

    Other Information

    • As energetic, working dogs, Patterdale terriers need plenty of exercise each day and aren't well-suited to apartment living. They should get lots of mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and acting out. The average life span of Patterdales is between 11 and 13 years. Due to their short, wiry coats, they don't require much grooming.