Patterdale Terrier

People usually start searching for a Patterdale Terrier when they’re weighing up a small, tough dog for bushwalks and busy households, or when they’ve met one and realised it isn’t a “toy terrier” temperament in a small package. The stakes are mostly practical: a dog with strong prey drive and a fast mind can be a joy in the right hands, and a handful in the wrong setting.

The Patterdale is a working terrier type from England’s Lake District, bred to get into tight places and stay on task. That heritage shows up in their build, their stamina, and the way they fixate on movement. It also shapes what they need from you: boundaries, outlets, and early socialisation that’s done properly, not hurried.

Quick breed snapshot

• Breed type: Terrier (working terrier type)
• Country of origin: England (Lake District)
• Size: Small
• Typical height: about 25–38 cm (10–15 in) at the withers (varies by type/line)¹
• Coat: smooth, broken, or rough; weather-ready rather than decorative²
• Common colours: black, red, liver/chocolate, grizzle, black and tan; small white markings may occur depending on the standard referenced^{1, 2}
• Exercise needs: medium to high, plus mental work
• Best suited to: active homes; experienced terrier owners; people happy to train and manage prey drive

History and origin

Patterdale Terriers were developed in northern England, closely associated with the village of Patterdale in the Lake District. They were shaped by working needs: farmer’s dogs that could travel rough ground, go to ground, and control vermin and fox where rocky dens made digging difficult.^{2, 3}

It helps to know one key detail: the Patterdale has long been maintained as a working “type” more than a show breed, with function often valued over uniform appearance. Different registries describe the breed slightly differently, and the UK Kennel Club does not recognise the Patterdale Terrier as a pedigree breed in the way it does many other terriers.^{2, 3}

Recognition (and why it matters)

If you’re looking for papers, the landscape is uneven. In the United States, the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognises the Patterdale Terrier and lists a breed standard, with recognition dating to 1 January 1995.¹

In the UK, you’ll still see Patterdales widely discussed and worked, but not recognised by The Kennel Club as a breed. In Australia, they’re not an ANKC-recognised breed, so you may see them advertised as working terriers, Patterdale “type”, or crosses—worth keeping in mind when you’re assessing breeders and health claims.²

Physical characteristics and appearance

A well-made Patterdale is compact and strongly built, with a flexible body designed for tight spaces. The chest is often described in working terms: it should be compressible and “spannable” (able to be encircled by hands behind the shoulders), because a rigid, barrel-like chest doesn’t belong underground.¹

Coats vary—smooth, broken, and rough are all seen—and are meant to cope with wet ground, scrub, and abrasion rather than win ribbons. Colours are usually dark and practical, though exact allowances depend on the registry standard being used.^{1, 2}

One important correction to common online summaries: tails are not “usually docked” as a blanket statement. Docking rules vary by jurisdiction, and in many places it’s restricted or prohibited except for limited exemptions. Expect to see many Patterdales with natural tails.

Personality and temperament

The Patterdale temperament reads like its job description. These dogs are typically bold, high-energy, and persistent, with a pronounced instinct to chase, dig, and investigate movement and scent. They can be affectionate with their people, but they are not reliably easy-going in the way some companion breeds are.^{1, 3}

They tend to do best with:

• clear rules at home (and follow-through)
• daily exercise that’s more than a potter around the block
• safe enrichment that uses their brain and nose
• management of prey drive (lead skills, secure fencing, and careful introductions)

Training and exercise needs

Patterdales learn quickly, but they also rehearse whatever works. If pulling, barking at the fence, or bolting after wildlife gets them what they want, those habits become durable. Training that relies on intimidation often backfires with terriers; steady, reward-based work and good management usually gets further, with less noise.¹

Exercise is best thought of as a mix of movement and purpose. A brisk walk helps, but many Patterdales also need something to solve: scent games, structured tug, retrieve with rules, basic agility, or short training sessions spread through the day.

Health and day-to-day care

Many Patterdales are robust, but “working tough” doesn’t mean “health-proof”. Any small, active dog can pick up injuries, and some lines may be predisposed to inherited issues. Because this is not a tightly standardised, widely kennel-club-regulated breed in Australia, the quality of breeding and the honesty of health information can vary widely.⁴

Practical care usually comes down to:

• weight management: keep them lean; extra weight makes joints do more work than they should
• coat care: brush as needed; check for burrs, ticks, and skin irritation after scrubby outings
• routine vet care: vaccinations, parasite control, dental checks, and early attention to limping or eye changes

Patterdale Terrier as a working dog

This is where the breed makes the most sense. Patterdales were developed as working terriers for vermin control and hunting tasks, valued for courage, athleticism, and the ability to work in tight, awkward terrain.^{1, 2}

A note for context: the legal landscape around hunting with dogs varies by country and region. In England and Wales, the Hunting Act 2004 restricts hunting wild mammals with dogs, with limited exemptions; it’s one reason many traditional working practices shifted or narrowed over time.⁵

Patterdale Terrier as a family pet

In the right home, a Patterdale can be a steady companion—small enough to live comfortably indoors, energetic enough to keep pace outdoors. The match matters more than the label. These dogs often do best with families who like training, have secure fencing, and won’t be surprised by digging, barking, or a strong desire to chase.

With children and other pets, outcomes depend heavily on the individual dog, early socialisation, and management. A terrier with strong prey drive may not be a safe fit for small pets, and some Patterdales can be pushy with other dogs if they haven’t been taught calmer skills early.

Finding a Patterdale Terrier in Australia: adoption and buying wisely

If a Patterdale is on your shortlist, start by checking reputable rescue pathways. Terriers can end up in rehoming when their energy and instincts outpace a household’s routine.

If you’re buying, be selective. The RSPCA’s advice is clear: don’t buy an animal online sight unseen, and always meet the dog in person so you can assess health, behaviour, and conditions.^{6, 7}

Quick checks before you commit

• You can meet the puppy (or adult dog) and see where it’s been raised.⁶
• The seller provides written proof for any health-testing claims (not just vague “DNA tested” language).^{8, 4}
• The puppy is at least eight weeks old before leaving the mother.⁸
• The breeder (or rescue) asks you questions too—about your fencing, routine, other pets, and experience with terriers.⁸

Final thoughts

The Patterdale Terrier is a small dog built for real work: compact, determined, and rarely short of opinions. For active owners who like training and don’t mind a bit of mud under the nails, they can be brilliant company. For quieter homes, or anyone wanting a low-drive lap dog, it’s often a poor fit—no matter how charming the puppy looks on day one.^{1, 2}

References

1. United Kennel Club (UKC) – Patterdale Terrier breed standard
2. Purina UK – Patterdale Terrier: history and breed overview
3. Wikipedia – Patterdale Terrier (overview and recognition notes)
4. World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) – Hereditary Disease Committee (health-conscious breeding)
5. UK Government legislation – Hunting Act 2004 (England and Wales)
6. RSPCA Knowledgebase – Red flags when looking for a dog or cat online
7. RSPCA Knowledgebase – Safe ways to look for a companion animal online
8. RSPCA Pet Insurance – Tips for safely buying a pet (scams and welfare red flags)
9. RSPCA Pet Insurance – Considerations when choosing a dog (grooming, health and suitability)