AKA: Ormskirk Heeler, Ormskirk Terrier

Description: The Lancashire Heeler can be identified with its short legs that set it low to the ground. While the head and other parts of its body is proportional to each other, the legs are not, being shorter and sturdier. The paws slightly turn out.

The Lancashire Heeler has wide ears and bright eyes that are set apart. Drop ears are not unheard of but breeders prefer the ears to be erect. The Lancashire Heeler’s chest is long and deep, going with a firm abdomen. Its back is strong and ends in a tail that is set high and carried forward over the back. Its coat can either be long or short, depending on the season. During the winter, the coat is plenty and with a mane. In the summer, the coat is sleek and shiny.

Dynamics: The Lancashire Heeler has the energy of a shepherd dog and a hunting dog. It has the skills of an excellent ratter and can help in catching rabbits. It has a shepherd dog’s strong instinct in that it nips at heels. This breed makes a wonderful herder of cattle, goats, and horses, although they are rarely used for this task.

The Lancashire must be taught not to nip at people’s heels. It an alert and energetic breed, and it like to run and give chase. It is friendly with the people it is familiar with but wary of strangers. Socialization is important. This breed needs to be watched with small children and smaller pets. It does better with older considerate children.

Weight: 6-13 pounds (3-6 kg)

Height: 10-12 inches (25-31 cm)

Color: The Lancashire Heeler’s coat is usually black and tan, but there are also those with a liver and tan coat.

Country of Origin: The Lancashire Heeler of today are actually recreations of the original Lancashire Heelers from England. The original breed almost became extinct when people no longer relied on cattle dogs. Today’s Lancashire Heelers are considered a vulnerable breed.

Activities: The Lancashire Heeler is great as a herder but is also very helpful in hunting. This breed oozes with energy and must be kept busy else it will become destructive. It needs to be taken out for a long walk daily.

Grooming: Bathe the Lancashire Heeler only when necessary. Its coat is easy to groom. Just comb and brush with a firm bristle brush.

Other Info: The Lancashire Heeler has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. This breed is okay living in an apartment. It is an active dog, and will be okay as long as it is properly exercised and let out for a walk daily.

Photo: Sannse

Description: The Lakeland Terrier looks like the smaller version of the Welsh Terrier. It is a squarely proportional dog, with an elongated head and strong straight legs. Its face has bushy hair on the forefront, and its teeth is either overshot or undershot. Its eyes are either dark or hazel, the nose is dark, and the ears are triangular in shape.

The Lakeland Terrier’s outer coat is hard, and the undercoat liner helps protect the terrier from brambles and bad weather. The Lakeland Terrier is usually born with a dark coat. At first glance, the dog looks as if it is standing on its toes.

Dynamics: The Lakeland Terrier is a very cheerful and affectionate dog. The breed can be a little feisty and willful, as it has a lot of energy to spare. It is alert and courageous. It needs some firm training so that it does not overrun you with its endless energy. This breed may also be very difficult to house break so a lot of patience is needed in training it.

Despite its stubborness to training, the dog is an intelligent one. The Lakeland Terrier loves to dig around and can be a bit of a barker. It also likes to guard what it owns, including toys and food. Its affectionate nature allows it to get along well with other dogs. This breed also loves children and likes to play. It becomes wary among strangers but gets along well once it becomes familiar with a person. Regarding smaller household pets and animals like cats and birds, the Lakeland Terrier likes to give chase. Training and socialization is needed so that when the breed gets older it does not continue chasing after the animals.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: Males 17 pounds (7.7 kg), Females 15 pounds (6.8 kg)

Height: Not above 14½ inches (36.8 cm)

Color: The Lakeland Terrier’s coat may come in combinations of black, black & tan, reddish, red grizzle, wheat, liver & blue, grizzle, and grizzle & tan.

Country of Origin: Originally called the Patterdale Terrier, the Lakeland Terrier was bred from the crossings of the Bedlington and the Old English Wirehaired Terrier in England.

Activities: The Lakeland Terrier was used in hunting den animals like badgers and foxes. The breed was also good at hunting in water and uneven terrain. Other talents of the breed is watchdogging and tracking. It also enjoys running and playing off the leash, which makes them suitable for sports activities like catch and agility.

Grooming: Because of its somewhat thick hair, the Lakeland Terrier should have its coat cut or plucked two to three times a year. Loose and excess hair should be removed, especially from the ear passages and between the pads of the feet. This breed requires heavy grooming. It sheds little to no hair.

Other Info: The Lakeland Terrier has a life expectancy10 to 12 years, although some have reached up to 16 years. This is one of the healthiest breeds, having no serious hereditary diseases. The Lakeland Terrier will do well living in an apartment and can do without a yard.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: Russell Terrier

Description: The Jack Russell Terrier has sturdy and compact body. The height is proportional to the length, creating a balanced and solid countenance. The head has a defined stop and a slightly short muzzle. The nose is black, and the almond-shaped eyes are dark-colored. The ears are shaped like an inverted triangular as it falls forward, facing the front. They are set high on the head, and the Jack Russell Terrier can stand them up or, as is usually the case, let it hang forward. The jaws are powerful and form a level or scissors bite.

The body is also muscular, with a strong neck, sloping shoulders, and a fine back. The forelegs are strong and straight, while the hind legs has a good stipulation and a good bend. The feet are small, round, and catlike. The chest is shallow and the back is strong and straight. The tail is set high and is carried gaily.

There are two types of Jack Russell Terrier: the English type, and the Irish type called Jack Russell Shorty which is distinguished by is shorter legs.

Dynamics: The Jack Russell Terrier is a playful and loving dog. It is obedient, yet also spirited and mischievous. It enjoys games and playing with toys. It has a friendly temperament and kind and patient to children. This is an intelligent breed. It is a little difficult to train and requires a firm and consistent training. Aggressiveness can be seen if the Jack Russell Terrier does not have the proper training and socialization.

Socialization for the Jack Russell Terrier is important to moderate its aggressive trait. This breed also has a strong hunting instinct and should be watched when around other small animals. The Jack Russell Terrier likes to explore and run around. It also likes to bark and dig. The Jack Russell Terrier can also climb and jump over fences. This breed can become destructive when ignored.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: 14-18 pounds (6-8 kg)

Height: 10-15 inches (25-38 cm)

Color: The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is dominated with white, with tan, black, or brown markings. Brindle markings are not acceptable in shows and competitions.

Country of Origin: The Jack Russell Terrier was developed by a clergyman named Jack Russell in England back in the 19th century.

Activities: The Jack Russell Terrier has a lot of stored energy within. It has to be sufficiently exercised, else it will become destructive and have behavioral problems. Play sessions and games are also important for this breed. The Jack Russell Terrier’s talents include hunting, tracking, agility, and performing tricks.

Grooming: The Jack Russell Terrier’s coat is easy to groom because it is short and smooth. Combing and brushing it regularly will do. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Jack Russell Terrier has a life expectancy of 15 years or more. It is prone to the dislocation of kneecaps, eye diseases, deafness, and Legg Perthes (disease of the hip joints). Other than these, no major health issues are noted. This breed can live in the city or in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors from time to time.

AKA: Hollandse Smoushond, Smoushond

Description: The Dutch Smoushond is a medium-sized dog with double coat of rugged wiry hair. It has small dark eyes, and black nose and lips. Long hair forms a beard, mustache, and eyebrows on its face. The ears are set high and triangular in shape. The muzzle is long and the jaws form an even yet slightly scissors bite.

The body of the Dutch Smoushond is proportional and well-balanced. Its legs are firm, straight, and well-muscled, with small round and catlike feet. The back of the legs are only thinly covered with hair.

Dynamics: The Dutch Smoushond is a charming dog with a friendly disposition. It can be reserved with strangers but it becomes very cheerful and loving with his family and friends. It is skillful and intelligent, and obedient to its owner. It is very eager to please and sensitive. Training the Dutch Smoushond has to be consistent but not harsh. This breed gets along very well with children and other household pets.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: 20-22 pounds (9-10 kg.)

Height: 14-17 inches (35-42 cm.)

Color: The coat color of the Dutch Smoushond is generally straw yellow, with shades of dark brown and white or light yellow.

Country of Origin: The Dutch Smoushond exact origins are unknown but is considered to come from the Netherlands. It is hardly known outside of the country.

Activities: The Dutch Smoushond is an active and energetic breed. It needs lots of exercise and play sessions.

Grooming: It is easy to take care of the Dutch Smoushond. Hair should be plucked by hand twice a year. The coat should retain its rugged and unkempt look. Try learning how to do this by taking the dog to a professional groomer first. Remove excess hair from inside the ears and between pads of the feet.

Other Info: The Dutch Smoushond has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. This breed will be fine living in the city or apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It is actually recommended that the Dutch Smoushond live indoors.

AKA: Dandie, Hindlee Terrier

Description: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed with squarely proportional body. Its head has a strong forehead, a distinctive stop, a black nose, and pendant ears. The eyes are a lively hazel color. The jaws and teeth form a scissors bite.

The legs of the Dandie Dinmont are short, contributing to its small size, but muscular. Dewclaws are removed when the puppy is 3 to 4 days old. The tail is long and carried in an upward curve. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier’s coat is long and is a mixture of soft and rough hair. The hair on the top of the head and upper ears is softer and silkier than the rest of the body.

Dynamics: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an affectionate and lively companion dog. It is a plucky breed, brave and determined. It is protective of its family and gets along with children and babies when properly socialized with them since puppyhood. It is reserved with strangers and can be aggressive. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier should not be left alone with other male dogs and non-canine pets.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is an intelligent breed. It is easy to train, although at times it can be stubborn and willful. This breed also likes to bark, and its bark is louder than can be deduced from its size.

Breed Group: Terrier

Weight: 18-24 pounds (8-11 kg.)

Height: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm.)

Color: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier’s coat comes in either pepper or mustard. The mustard colored Dandie is born with a dark brown coat which lightens into shades of red as the breed grows. The pepper colored one is born with a black and tan coat, with a little silver. The topknot on the head of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier can either be cream colored or silver, respectively.

Country of Origin: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier came from the border area between England and Scotland. It got its name from the famous novel Guy Mannering by Sir Walter Scott.

Activities: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was used mainly for catching vermin. It has also been used in hunting rabbit, otter, badger, mouse, martens, weasels, and skunks.

Grooming: With its long and mixed hair, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier needs to be regularly brushed. This bred sheds little to no hair so it might need some professional grooming once in a while. Pluck out dead hair once or twice a year.

Other Info: The Dandie Dinmont Terrier has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although it has been known to have hypothyroidism when it grows old. Back problems, glaucoma, and epilepsy may also be an issue when the breed is not exercised properly and overweight. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier will be fine in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. When outside, it has to be on a leash because it might take off after a cat or other animal.