Lakeland/fox terrier?

[Fiona]

I may be going to see some puppies in the next week that are lakeland crossed with wirehaired fox terrier.

Pups are said to have been wormed, vaccinated first time, and both parents can be seen..

I'd be really interested in speaking to HHOers who had owned either of these breeds.. Want an inside dog to be a member of our family. Have a 4yo son, hubby works from home mainly (or has brought previous dogs in the car with him) and I work part time.

Googling both these breeds has produced mixed reviews, but then it does for JRTs too and we have previously had two of those who have not had any of the commonly cited JRT problems like bad recall, going to ground etc..

Anyone have relevant experience?

I would be v grateful. .

Fiona

 

[Clodagh]

We had a lakeland dog who was the most perfect terier ever, and I really am not a terrier fan. He was a worker (foxes) but also lived in the house and on retirement led many happy years hunting rabbits and rats in the yard with a mixed pack of breeds. He had a wonderful temperament and was a complete gentlemen. He did love his hunting though, they haven't been bred as pets for as many years as the JRT.

 

[Fiona]

Thanks so much clodagh...

Anybody else?

Fiona

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I've only known one Lakeland and she was very much a one person dog. Saying that, it was one of those situations where she was a one person dog and then ended up in a family with two lab bitches as well. She was a sweet dog on her own, lots of energy (she was purely a pet) and pretty well trained, cat proof etc. There was a fair amount of fighting between her and the other bitches though (she was spayed, the others were not-she was generally the aggressor). Not sure how she was with the subsequent kids.

I love fox terriers although haven't been around them for a long time, quite hanker for one myself but OH not really into little dogs. The ones I did know were bouncy but very well mannered and socialised. I too have known some cracking JRTs!

 

[NellRosk]

I know one, it's nasty and runs off at any given opportunity. I think this is due to poor socialisation from a young age but it would put me off ever wanting to own one Was once walking past the garden it lives in and it escaped and went for my mum's dog. I picked ours up and it started savaging my ankle the little s*** but luckily I had long leather boots on so didn't get me! Saying that, my Jack Russell is the devil but I know other JRTs that are well behaved and not like her so I think it really depends on the dog. You say you want an inside dog, are the puppies from working parents?

 

[Smitty]

I have a two yo old Lakeland/JRT x Patterdale. I got him at 7-8 weeks from a dubious source and he is an absolute sweetheart.

I took him everywhere with me from the word go determined to socialise him and the children at the yard used to play with him. He is a nightmare with kids - he loves them. Other people, dogs, he greets everything with equal enthusiasm and loves everybody. I think I have overdone it! He has never shown any aggression, even when on a couple of occasions, other dogs have had a go at him.

He has never disappeared down a hole, generally does not let me too far out of his sight on walks, comes to call 99% of the time but there are times now when his obsessive nature surfaces, hunting, and a vendetta with next door's Rottie for which he is not entirely to blame.

I keep him on a lead around livestock or anything with feathers as in that respect I would not trust him as far as I could throw him.

I think there are a couple of other users on here who have a similar mix to mine who may come along with their experiences.

 

[SusieT]

I would find these types quite 'opinionated' and not that cuddly, wouldn't be my choice as I prefer a more happy go lucky dog. depends on upbringing as well tho

 

[Fiona]

Smitty - he sounds fab, can you clone him and send him to NI please

MoC - I definitely need cat proof. We have three...

Susie - what sort of dogs do you prefer? I want an active small dog which rules out labs etc...

nell - I guess there are bad examples of any breed Do you know any others or just this one?

Would love to hear any other opinions.. We aren't going until Saturday. .

Fiona

 

[Fiona]

Nell I will ask lots of questions about the parents when I go to see them...

Fiona

 

[NellRosk]

Nell I will ask lots of questions about the parents when I go to see them...

Fiona

Yes that sounds wise, let us know how you get on and echoing what Susie said, the one I know is extremely aloof and not cuddly at all. Just not people orientated. But that's the only one I know so could just be the dog!! Best of luck!!

 

[CrazyMare]

For small, active dogs, my dad has a Parsons JRT. He's fabulous. Bouncy, untireable, absolutely adores dad. Sleeps on his lap to feet when he's working, fixated on his toys and goes to bed under the duvet.

99% recall off the lead, ever so friendly. As a plus he is gorgeous with a really beautiful face!

 

[Rowreach]

I used to breed WFTs and while they are great, feisty terriers they can be quite aloof and not very cuddly. They also tend to be one person dogs (which is probably why they used to be favoured by little old ladies!), but they do make good house dogs. You may also have to groom/hand strip or clip it regularly, and that's a bit of a pain!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'd be expecting a game, active, resilient dog with a high prey drive and lots of hair.

 

[SusieT]

Id probably head to local shelter and pick something young (puppy), fluffy and that looks like all legs etc in good roder and one that is friendly and people interested-I think that will give the same happy dog-some of this cocker/poodle crosses are qutie nice. Yorkies are actually quite good (surprisingly) if reared as a 'proper' dog - happy, firendly, smart.

 

[springtime1331]

We have a patterdale and quite frankly he's royal pain in the behind. IMO the "hard" terriers are working dogs and can be frustrated in a pet home. Ours has no concept of wanting to please us and is always looking for conflict. I wouldn't have another and I wouldn't necessarily trust them around young children (although plenty may disagree)

 

[Fiona]

Susie I've been looking at local rescue sites and communication is definitely an issue. As others have said on here, all their time is spent with the dogs.. And with a small child here, I need a rescue who has worked with the dog a wee bit and can pick a suitable home. I don't know if I should take the risk of going to the local pound type shelter where no info is available. Pre children I would have. I feel awful even saying that

rowreach - thanks as always for your opinion. You are a font of knowledge on everything I need to know lol...

My other idea was a border terrier but they must be like hens teeth in ni. Can't find a single kc breeder or any pups for sale

Fiona

 

[Fiona]

Thanks everyone who has replied. I truly appreciate it..

Fiona

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Susie I've been looking at local rescue sites and communication is definitely an issue. As others have said on here, all their time is spent with the dogs.. And with a small child here, I need a rescue who has worked with the dog a wee bit and can pick a suitable home. I don't know if I should take the risk of going to the local pound type shelter where no info is available. Pre children I would have. I feel awful even saying that

rowreach - thanks as always for your opinion. You are a font of knowledge on everything I need to know lol...

My other idea was a border terrier but they must be like hens teeth in ni. Can't find a single kc breeder or any pups for sale

Fiona

don't feel awful saying it, its responsible.

How far are you from a ferry and Scotland? Always seems to be loads of BTs for sale around here-several have them at work, I could ask around if you felt it doable.

 

[SusieT]

with 8 week old pup sit makes no difference if it comes from a shelter or a home - I wouldn't take an older rescue in with a small child either!

 

[Fiona]

Susie my stereotypical yorkie is a yappy nippy little brute, its good to know they can be normal if raised appropriately. ..

MoC I'm an hour from the belfast ferry to Cairnryan, so no harm in enquiring from your workmates if there are any litters in the offing. Many thanks...

Thanks everyone.

Fiona

 

[Fiona]

with 8 week old pup sit makes no difference if it comes from a shelter or a home - I wouldn't take an older rescue in with a small child either!

Completely agree. And my friend got a rough haired jrt pup from one a few months back so there is hope that they occasionally crop up..

Fiona

 

[Squeak]

I have two wft's both good with other dogs, people and adore children. They're the stereotypical child's dog that you could dress up and put it in a dolls pram or who wouldn't be at all offended by a game of rough and tumble and wouldn't be precious about a child being unintentionally rough with them yet love attention and curling up with you. I love mine to bits but... The recall and house training for both of them is terrible and I've put a lot of work in to them and got help as well all to no avail.

 

[MurphysMinder]

No experience of WFTs but can I put a word in for a Lancashire Heeler. We got our first when my daughter was 3 and she was a marvellous friend for her. Gutsy little dog but not too terrier like in behaviour.

 

[SplashofSoy]

I have a working Lakeland fell terrier, is the Lakeland a pedigree or working type? Very different dogs. I have put in hours and hours of training and socialising as a puppy and continuously now but have a dog who is 99.9% recall, great with kids and livestock who is excellent at flyball and also does bits of agility/rally etc. Very high energy 2-3 hours a day exercise required but is happy the rest of the time to lounge and snooze in my office at work. Will chase small furries in the woods which i don't mind as comes back to call and never even looks at sheep/cows. Very vocal when excited which is just terriers - i swear my next dog will be a silent one although doesn't bark in the house unless playing with my dad. Dad gets told off for being too silly - he is 61! Good with other dogs unless one has a go at him and then he can kick off a bit but is well socialised so understands dog very well. Wary of strangers so isn't a happy love everyone type of dog, would never approach someone he didn't know. Very loyal and into me. Loves tuggy games etc but a good leave command is a must as they will swing off things for ever!

See what parents are like, Henry's mum was a total poppet and family friendly despite working. Don't pick the bolshy into everything puppy, especially a terrier. You do really need to get them at 8-10 weeks and instil all the good things early as they do become rather set in their ways quicker than you think. They are stubborn with their ways when set and you wont change them.

 

[WandaMare]

I had a lakeland cross JRT and she was my perfect dog, affectionate, never left my side, full of fun and mischief and had the prettiest little face. She loved to swim and the only thing I had to watch was her jumping into water whenever she got the chance. She did it once at the canal and it was a 4 ft drop from the edge, so not easy to get down to retrieve her! She was also a very healthy and active dog, she lived till she was 17. Some friends of ours have a fox terrier who is also very pretty and full of character but has proved to be a handful and difficult to train, particularly with recall.

 

[Trules]

hi , watching with interest.
i have a colleague with a litter of pure lakelands and i am tempted. from what i have read they appear to be easier than jrt's. i grew up with jrt's so know them and their tendencies. my farrier has a couple of WFT's and i know they are not easy, recall wise especially. i do need a decent recall dog and trainability as we are on smallholding with all kinds of livestock within touching distance. but i do like the toughness of a terrier and could do with a ratter about the place... but not a catter or a chickener! x

 

[Fiona]

Thank you everyone for replies. ..

rowreach - in your opinion as a breeder, was recall a problem in fox terriers?

Fiona

 

[AdorableAlice]

ex husband used Lakeland's for his job as hunt terrier man, bred them for years too. They were pure working strain, devoted to him and no one else and they were as hard as nails above and below ground, often to their own detriment and anything else that got in their way.

Have just asked ex if he thought a Lakeland would make a nice pet and he said yes if not a working strain. His comment on fox terriers is almost unrepeatable - but based on ruined and now a designer dog.

For a nice tempered and biddable pet he reckoned a little Border, of non working strain and correctly brought up is an ideal companion.

 

[Possum]

We have a patterdale x who amazingly is great with the cat, other dogs, kids etc but I think we've been very lucky with her.

We meet a few very nice Cairn terriers on our walks, if I was looking for a small dog in the future I'd definitely see if I could find one.

 

[Fiona]

Ladies I am so grateful for all your experiences. ...

AA I cannot find a border terrier at all in ni. Have resorted to emailing breeders that I found off the champ dog website to ask if they know of a litter or older dog for re homing.

Basically I'm to ask on Saturday are either of the parents a working strain, and if they are, don't touch with a barge pole...

Fiona