The Patterdale Terrier may be a small dog, weighing between 11-13 pounds, but they’ve got huge personalities. These are not your typical cuddly lap dogs, these pups are workers and love having a job to do. They will always prefer being active as opposed to lounging around the house, so these dogs are certainly more suitable for active families.
This breed originated in the village of Patterdale, England, hence their name. These Terriers are hunters and were originally used for hunting foxes, rabbits, and rats. Their small size was ideal for hunting these types of animals as they were able to squeeze their way through small holes and burrows to flush out the game. They still retain their high prey drive, as well as their fearless personality today. The Patterdale Terrier is feisty and will not back down from a confrontation no matter who they are up against.
While the breed emerged from England, they are very popular in the United States. Their lively personality combined with their adorable appearance makes them appealing to dog lovers looking to bring a doggo home. These pups will form extremely tight-knit bonds with their families, however, they are known to be very stubborn. The Patterdale Terrier likes to do things on their terms, so getting them to roll over on command will require a lot of persistent training.
These dogs are highly energetic and will need to get plenty of exercise for them to feel their best. The Patterdale Terrier loves to burn off their energy outside where they can dig their holes freely and sniff around as they please. Taking this dog out daily is an absolute necessity as they are prone to become very destructive if they are left home alone for long periods. The chances of them destroying your living room will increase exponentially if you combine their loneliness with a full tank of energy. Taking these pups to the dog park is always a fantastic way to let them burn off their energy while allowing them to socialize with other pups at the same time!
