A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function.  As breeders of Lakeland Terriers we strive for these attributes but as the perfect dog has not been bred yet, this standard is used as our overall goal:

GENERAL APPEARANCE:           Smart, workmanlike, well balanced and compact

CHARACTERISTICS:                 Gay, fearless demeanour, keen of expression, quick of movement, on the tip toe of expectation

TEMPERAMENT:                       Bold, friendly and self confident

HEAD & SKULL:                             Well balanced.  Skull flat and refined.  Jaws powerful and muzzle broad but not too long. 

                                                        Length of head from stop to tip of nose not exceeding that from occiput to stop.  Nose black,

                                                        except in liver coated dogs when the nose will be liver.

EYES:                                    Dark or hazel, slanting eyes undesirable

EARS:                                             Moderately small.  V-shaped and carried alertly.  Set neither too high nor too low on head.

MOUTH:                                 Teeth even with perfect, regular scissor bite, ie. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth

                                                        and set square to the jaws.

NECK:                                    Reachy, slightly arched, free from throatiness

FOREQUARTERS:                     Shoulders well laid back.  Forelegs straight, well boned

BODY:                                   Chest reasonably narrow.  Back strong, moderately short and well coupled.

HINDQUARTERS:                     Strong and muscular.  Thighs strong and powerful with well turned stifles.  Hocks low to ground and straight.

FEET:                                    Small, compact, round and well padded

TAIL:                                     Previously docked

                                                        Docked - well set on, carried gaily but not over back or curled

                                                        Undocked - Well set on, carried gaily but not over back or curled.  In overall balance with the rest of the dog

GAIT/MOVEMENT:                   Fore and hind legs carried straight forward and parallel.  Elbows move perpendicular to body,

                                                        working free of sides, stifles turning neither in nor out.  Good drive coming from well flexing hindquarters.

COAT:                                   Dense, harsh and weather resisting with good undercoat

COLOUR:                               Black and tan, blue and tan, red, wheaten, red grizzle, liver, blue or black. 

                                                       Small tips of white on chest and feet undesirable but permissible.  Mahogany or deep tan not typical.

SIZE:                                    Average weight:  Dogs 8kg (17lbs)  Bitches 7kg (15lbs) Height not exceeding 37cms (14.5inches) at shoulder

FAULTS:                                Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault

                                                       should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

NOTE:                                   Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles, fully descended

All content copyright © 2010