I have just discovered Patterdale Terriers.  Internet searches are confusing me.  Are they the same thing as a Lakeland Terrier?  In Canada's Guide To Dogs, a reputable magazine endorsed by the CKC, it says Patterdales are now called Lakeland.  Breed descriptions vary.  One breeder in Saskatchewan says nothing about them being now called Lakeland but says they were once known as Fell terriers.  I'm just curious, which is it?

No, Patterdale terriers and Lakeland terriers are very different. Lakeland terriers are a KC recognised breed, and Patterdale terriers aren't, and look and behave very differently.

Typical Patterdale terriers. Sometimes known as the 'black Fell terrier'.

Typical Lakeland terrier

I beleived that patterdales were primarily orignially crosses of Border and Lakeland Terrier with dashes of otherteriers thrown in for working ability.

As JG says Patterdale and Lakeland are very different both in looks and temperament, the Patterdale being more a type than breed, bred for rating and very much a working dog, they are kept as pets but it is not always successful.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/patterdaleterrier.htm

I have a Patterdale in lovely chocolate colour. She is adorable, quick to learn, loving and a great family pet, she adores children. I know many will say that they are not suitable as pets, however this little girl is perfect. A typical terrier but loves a warm bed and snuggle. I wouldn't change her for the world.
My GSD taught her manners as a pup and now she is gentle with all the other dogs and has no aggression at all except for the rats in the barn where she is allowed to run free.

As I said Sillysue they do not always make the best of pets, I have sadly come across some very sad cases when what looks like a dear little dog sometime turns into a dear little devil, no fault of the dog they were bred to hunt and kill.

Thank you all.  They caught my eye because I think they are close in appearance to a small Labrador.  I think they are too small for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in a couple of feet of snow and anyway, wouldn't a terrier be several notches over a Lab in energy factor?  Very appealing looking little dogs though.

Jetstone Jewel, think you may be wise to think again, they can be everything you would want but have been bred to be extremely feisty and to seek out and kill small animals so if they run true to type they are not ideal for domestic situation although there are any number who with training will make an attractive pet but they are a working terrier and you can't forget that.

Hi Nova,
I tend to agree with you on so many topics on this forum so we must be of similar views on most subjects, however on the subject of Patterdales....

They are feisty, but so are all terriers, they will kill small animals, so will most terriers, they are a working dog, so are many family pets. If we keep working dogs just as working dogs then surely we would miss out a lot of lovely family pets. I have a gsd but she has never shepherded anything. I have a cocker spaniel but she has never worked a day in her life. If a Patterdale is treated the same as any other terrier then they can make a wonderful family pet, mine now knows the difference between a pigeon ( can chase but not a chance in hell of catching) and my free range chickens ( I can watch but must not chase, so I'd better ignore and walk the opposite direction ) She is allowed in the outbuildings and spends ages sniffing around, she has only caught 1 rat but the creatures seem to have gone although we were inundated with them, so maybe just the smell of a Patt was enough to make them clear off.
She loves people, other dogs and being dressed up in baby clothes by my granddaughter ( supervised) in fact she lives for human contact and doesn't have any aggression ever and I trust her completely.
I can't believe that I have a 'one off' I am sure there are aggressive Patts out there but there are bound to be good and bad in all breeds, or maybe a dog brought up with love - gives love

The Patterdales I know both socially and through work have got very much the 'working terrier' temperament. They are delightful little dogs, but you need to treat them with respect and a certain degree of caution because they're not backward in letting you know their mind, although they're somewhat more tolerant with their family than with others! If they object to something you really know about it!

>I can't believe that I have a 'one off'

Undoubtedly not - but probably one of a minority.

Sillysue, I do not doubt that your Patterdale is lovely and no doubt more biddable than any of my hounds but I did not suggest that all were not suitable for pets only that some are not and how you tell the difference at 8 weeks old I do not know. Have know of a few that like yours are lovely and loveable but had known even more who are lovely and not so loveable they are great to watch work but I would not want them in my sitting room if I or the children wished to entertain.

For someone with loads of terrier experience and the right home environment then they could be a great addition but in a more usual suburban environ then you are taking a risk that they would fit in without causing difficulty.

in a more usual suburban environ then you are taking a risk that they would fit in without causing difficulty.

Absolutely agree, they sure do need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

I just wanted to make sure that all Patts are not tied to the same label as bad and aggressive and unsuitable as pets,  same as all Rotties, Staffs, GSDs etc are not bad and make wonderful pets, but some folk will always view the breed as a whole and label them all as bad just because there are a few that give the breed a bad name, when we all know this is not the case.

I wouldn't dream of disrespecting your  views as you are entitled to have your own opinions, I just wanted to include my experience of the Patt to show that not all are the same. Perhaps my gsd teaching her doggie manners from the start has helped her to to be well adjusted and she has been well socialised, who knows why she is as she is, and maybe if I ever thought of getting another I would experience a far less docile dog ( however I think one is enough ) I can only speak as I have found.

Sillysue, I would not wish to label dogs at all which I suppose is why I would try to dissuade most people from having a Patterdale as I fear that to many would be mismanaged the same applies to the breed which, if asked, I would say is the best family dog to get, the Staffie but it simply must be socialised.

A dog having the correct characteristics to make it an excellent working dog, does not make it bad, those traits and drives can make it largely unsuitable to be SOLELY a pet.

Foxhounds are not a feisty breed,b tu beyond puppyhood they do nto fit in well intoa  domestic environment.

I would hope all working dogs have a life and value outside of their working role, but many working dogs have a miserable existence if not given the opportunity to work.

This Terrier Rescue site is a good place to learn about terriers.  They take the time to explain some key differences and it's written by people passionate about terriers and experienced with the working types.

Certainly worth a read as they are very honest about the downsides!!

Yes the website quoted by dogs a babe is an excellent site to learn about terriers - very knowledgeable people and very experienced in the ways of terriers :-)