Patterdale Terrier

Patterdale Terriers are strong, friendly, and loyal dogs. This breed originates from Great Britain and dates back to the mid-20th century. Patterdale terriers were bred for fox hunting, meant to drive the fox out of its burrow.

The temperament of this dog is a mix of friendly and loyal, with occasional feistiness. Anyone interested in owning a Patterdale Terrier should know they are high-energy and need regular daily exercise.

Evolution and Origins

The Patterdale Terrier was first bred in the challenging Lakes Region of Northern England. It is thought by professionals that they have ancestral roots in the fell terrier, which is not a distinct breed, but instead, a collection of the working terrier breeds with long legs, originating from Great Britain.

The Patterdale Terrier’s lineage primarily traces back to the black, sleek-coated Fell Terrier, which was created in the challenging surroundings of Northern England. The Fell Terriers were employed to manage predators that preyed on sheep. They were selectively bred to either flush out the prey from their burrow or eliminate it if it resisted.

Additionally, the breed’s roots can be traced back to the crossbreeding of the Old English Terrier, which was the original black terrier, and the now-extinct Northumberland Pit Terrier. Later, it can be linked to the Lake District, especially to Ullswater Hunt’s leader, Joe Bowman, who was one of the initial Border Terrier breeders.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Patterdale Terrier

Size and Weight

Patterdale Terriers are small in size with a coat of short hair. Males and females can grow to be 15 inches tall. Also, both males and females can weigh up to 13 pounds. At 9 weeks old, these puppies weigh from 2 to 3 pounds. They are full-grown at around 10 months old.

Common Health Issues

Patterdale Terriers experience common health issues, such as hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is caused by the hip joint not fitting together properly. Pain and limping are two symptoms of hip dysplasia. Surgery can be necessary to treat this condition, but it may also be treated through physical therapy or weight loss. The treatment depends on the severity and cause of the condition.

A second common health issue of Patterdale Terriers is obesity. Since these dogs are small in size, it is easy for them to gain excess weight if fed too much or not exercised properly. Obesity can lead to heart problems, joint issues, and other ailments.

A third common health issue is cataracts. Cataracts cause cloudiness in one or both of a dog’s eyes, obscuring vision. A cataract may cause partial or full blindness, corrected only by surgery.

Temperament and Behavior

Patterdale Terriers are generally friendly and loyal, making good guard dogs as they are protective and also a little feisty. Notably, these dogs have a very high energy level and are excited to run and explore their environment. After all, they were bred to chase down foxes and other prey on hunting trips.

Socialized Patterdale Terriers are well-behaved around children as well as adults in a family. Though they like to be on the move, these dogs have also been known to snuggle on the sofa with their owner.

Because Patterdale Terriers bond so strongly with their owners, it is common for these dogs to develop separation anxiety when the owner is away. Separation anxiety may present as incessant barking or whining when left alone, but it can be as severe as household destruction. The best way to combat separation anxiety is by leaving your dog alone in a room for increasingly long increments of time while you are still in the house, making sure to keep loved, chewable toys in the room with your pet. Toys such as Kongs or Licking Mats filled with a tasty treat may help keep your dog distracted when you are away.

How to Take Care of a Patterdale Terrier

It is always important for a dog owner to understand the grooming, diet, exercise, and health requirements of a breed before keeping a dog as a pet. Here are some tips for Patterdale Terrier care.

The Best Dog Food

Puppies and adult Patterdale Terriers have different diets to address their unique nutritional needs. Check out some elements of this breed’s diet.

Patterdale Terrier puppy food: Tissue, muscle, joint, and cartilage growth are all supported by the lean protein in a puppy’s diet. Fat gives this active puppy a good supply of energy while Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids contribute to the healthy development of the puppy’s brain, vision, coat, and skin. These fatty acids can help to fend off cataracts in this breed. Calcium contributes to strong teeth, nails, and bones. Fiber supports proper digestion along with a fresh supply of water each day. Feeding a puppy 3 to 4 small meals each day can provide it with the energy it needs without overfeeding it. Owners usually do this until the puppy reaches 6 months old. After that, an owner feeds the dog one to two meals per day.

Patterdale Terrier adult dog food: Protein is an important part of an adult Patterdale Terrier’s diet. This nutrient keeps muscles and joints in good condition. Fat is essential in an adult dog’s diet, but it should be limited to avoid obesity in this small breed. Omega-3 fatty acids can help to fend off arthritis and maintain good cognitive function. Calcium keeps bones and teeth strong in an adult dog. Vitamin A contributes to healthy eyes, which is especially beneficial in a dog prone to cataracts.

Maintenance and Grooming

How much does a Patterdale Terrier shed? Though breeders sometimes refer to this breed as “hypoallergenic,” there is still a light amount of shedding. These terriers should be brushed once or twice per week.

A grooming glove is excellent for removing loose or dead hair from its coat. Moving the grooming glove in the opposite direction of the natural flow of hair is the best way to brush these dogs. This serves to loosen dead hair so it can fall out of the dog’s coat. Next, use the soft boar’s hair brush to smooth down the hair in the direction of its natural flow. The removal of dead hair gives this dog’s coat a refreshed look. A brush with soft boar hair bristles is also useful for renewing the natural shine of its coat.

Patterdale Terriers sometimes experience environmental allergies, presenting in the form of redness or dry patches on their skin. An owner who grooms their dog once a week has a good chance of noticing these symptoms right away. A veterinarian can provide treatment to a dog with environmental or food allergies.

Training

Patterdale Terriers are both intelligent and alert, making them fairly easy to obedience train. However, they can sometimes have a stubborn streak. It’s a good idea to limit obedience training sessions to about 10 or 15 minutes. This helps to prevent a Patterdale Terrier from becoming bored or distracted. A mix of praise and treats also proves helpful during training.

Exercise

The opposite of a couch potato, a Patterdale Terrier needs to exercise every day to stay healthy and happy. Running in a field, playing chase in the backyard, or jogging in the woods are all great activities for this dog. Patterdale Terriers tend to get along well with other dogs, so the dog park is another great option for activity.

It needs at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. This amount of exercise also contributes to the emotional health of this dog.

While active breeds make for great companions, Patterdale Terriers are not a good choice for apartment dwellers. Though they are small in size, these energetic dogs need a lot of space to move around. A home with a large fenced-in yard or even a farm would be an ideal choice for this breed of dog.

Puppies

Early socialization is also crucial for this breed. From a young age and after being fully vaccinated, socialization in the form of human and other dog and animal interactions helps reduce anxiety, fear, or distrust in the face of social interactions. Socialization helps bring out the fun personalities of these terriers and is beneficial if the dog comes in contact with children, other dogs, and strangers. Responsible breeders begin to socialize their Patterdale Terrier puppies right away so they’ll be ready to move on to their new homes.

Children

Socialized Patterdale Terriers are good for families with children, but it is always important to educate children on proper approaching and handling techniques for dogs. These are sweet dogs that are eager to please!

Dogs Similar to Patterdale Terriers

Some dogs similar to Patterdale Terriers include Rat Terriers, Bull Terriers, and Norfolk Terriers.

• Rat Terriers: When it comes to height, Rat Terriers and Patterdale Terriers are about the same size. They both are known for light shedding and are not hypoallergenic. But Rat Terriers have thicker bodies and weigh more than Patterdale Terriers.
• Bull Terriers: Bull Terriers and Patterdales are both energetic dogs with a stubborn streak. One big difference is that the independent temperament of a Bull Terrier doesn’t make it a good choice for a family with children.
• Norfolk Terriers: These two terriers are about the same size, though the Norfolk Terrier is shorter. They are lively canines that like hunting for small prey. But the Patterdale Terrier has a higher level of energy and needs more exercise than a Norfolk Terrier.