Patterdale Terrier Dogs Information

Written by: Shawna L. Krautheim

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: Fell Terrier, Black and Tan Terrier

Common Misspellings:  Paterdale Terrior, Patterdaleterrier, Paterdaleterrier

Learn all about Patterdale Terrier Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the Patterdale Terrier dog breed. You'll find solid information about Patterdale Terrier dog history, Patterdale Terrier life expectancy Patterdale Terrier dog appearance, Patterdale Terrier temperament and personality, Patterdale Terrier health problems, Patterdale Terrier puppy care, training Patterdale Terrier puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible Patterdale Terrier dog breeder.

Named for the village where they first originated, the Patterdale Terrier seems to be one of the ultimate scrappy dogs. Don't let his small stature fool you - this small and scruffy terrier is as tough and hard-working as they come!

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Patterdale Terrier Facts

The Patterdale Terrier Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Patterdale Terrier Height: 10-15 inches at the shoulder.

Patterdale Terrier Weight: Weight should be proportionate to the dog's size, so he does not seem too clunky or rangy.

Patterdale Terrier Color Variations: Patterdale Terriers come in smooth, broken, and rough coats. They are only found in four separate colors however; black, chocolate, black and tan, or red. Some white on the chest or the feet is permissible.

Patterdale Terrier Size Variations: While there are no 'official' size differences, they are generally considered as being of 3 different sizes, based on what they are used to hunt.

Patterdale Terrier Exercise Needs: Demanding

Patterdale Terrier Grooming Demands: Minimal

Patterdale Terrier Trainability: Medium Difficult

Patterdale Terrier Life Expectancy: 15-16 years

Average Patterdale Terrier Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Pets: No

Breed Group: Terrier

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Patterdale Terrier Dog History

The Patterdale Terrier is a small breed of dog that originated in the village of Patterdale, in Northwest England. Also known as a type of Fell Terrier, or Black and Tan Terrier, he is a robust little dog that is known more for his ancestry rather than a particular body type. Bred to possess the toughness required to follow the hounds and horses for miles, and yet still be able to go down into a foxhole and flush the quarry out, these are aggressive, energetic, and courageous small dogs.

While they have been bred as far back as the 1700s, the Patterdale Terrier wasn't recognized or selectively bred, as a registered breed of dog, until the 1950s. This would be when two breeders, Cyril Breay and Frank Buck would begin to work on establishing a standard of perfection and ideal type for these dogs. This would be picked up upon and furthered by one Brian Nuttall during the 1960's and the Nuttall lines continue to be one of the most highly sought of all the Patterdale breeding stock.

In 1993, the Patterdale Terrier would be recognized as a breed by the AKC, and United Kennel Club would follow suit in 1995. Oddly enough, the Patterdale Terrier remains a working dog in his native country and is seldom seen in dog shows.

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Patterdale Terrier Dog Appearance

Whether you prefer the sleek smooth-coated Patterdale Terrier, the wirey rough-coated Patterdale Terrier, or enjoy the mingling of the two as seen in the broken-coated Patterdale Terrier, chances are you appreciate a dog more for his working ability then for asthetics. Bred to be tough and anything but cowardly, the Patterdale is often appreciated for his ability rather than his beauty. Because of this, breed standards tend to lean more towards workability rather than a set ideal for how this dog should look. She ranges in size from 10 to 15 inches of the shoulder, and is generally respected as having an athletic, yet muscular body.

The Patterdale Terrier can be found in four colors: the black and tan, chocolate (liver in the UK), red, and black. Grizzled dogs are common, but an abundance of stray white hairs can be faulted. While not always practiced, if his tail is docked, it should be docked to no more than 1/4 of the length. This same practice is seen in Jack Russell Terriers, where the tail is often used much like a handle to pull these scrappy dogs out of the foxholes.

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Patterdale Terrier Grooming

Grooming the Patterdale terrier is a minimal task, particularly for dogs with smooth or broken coats. A simple weekly brushing will help to remove any dead hair or dander from his skin and gave his coat a nice glossy sheen. Wire haired Patterdale terriers sometimes require a light stripping to keep their coats in good condition. This can be shown to you either by the breeder or you can take your dog in to a professional dog groomer to have this done for a minimal fee.

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Patterdale Terrier Exercise Needs

Bred as a working dog, the Patterdale Terrier is an active and athletic individual. He is not well suited to life of a couch potato and, left to his own devices, often tends to become easily bored which can lead to destructive behavior. This includes digging holes in the backyard or chewing up your favorite shoes. If you intend to get a Patterdale Terrier, it's important to realize that you will be making a commitment to taking several trips to the dog park each week, going on at least one good walk per day, for spending countless hours playing tug of war with the favorite chew toy.

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Patterdale Terrier Temperament

It cannot be said enough that the Patterdale Terrier is a tough little individual; bred to possess the athletic form required to follow horseback riding hunters for miles, and yet still have the stamina to go down and flush fox out of their holes, the Patterdale Terrier does not see himself as a small dog. Courageous to a flaw, they commonly take on rivals and tasks that are too big for themselves and tend to require a great deal of supervision. They do, however, make good family pets particularly in homes with active adults or children to play with. Care should be taken around other dogs, as the Patterdale Terrier does prefer to be the top dog in the neighborhood and can get hurt trying to take on larger adversaries. Cats and other animals should also be supervised in a company of the Patterdale Terrier, due to the dogs' natural hunting instinct.

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Patterdale Terrier Training

The Patterdale terrier is an extremely intelligent dog but, like many smart dogs, can often be difficult to train. This is due to the Patterdale's level of alertness, keeping his mind constantly on the go, and often making him seem unfocused. Because of this, the Patterdale dog seems to do exceptionally well with clicker training; since she spends a great deal for time listening for interesting sounds, the clicking sound can break through the dog's normal intensity and capture her attention.

Patterdale Terrier Health

Patterdale terriers tend to be a very hale and hearty breed of dog, not prone to any known health issues. As with many small dogs, obesity can be an issue if the dog does not get enough exercise and older individuals may develop cataracts.

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Is the Patterdale Terrier Right For You?

The Patterdale Terrier can be a wonderful pet for the active individual or for the family with children. However, careful consideration must be given prior to rushing out and picking up a Patterdale Terrier puppy. While it's true that they are small dogs, the Patterdale puppy can be a handful for the inexperienced dog owner. High energy, and often quite vocal, they aren't always the best dogs for apartments and they can have a high tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs, particularly of the same sex. Local cats and other furry pets can also be a risk, with the Patterdale's natural hunting instinct, so careful consideration must also be given to this.

If you're committed enough, to adopt one of these high energy individuals, you may find that the Patterdale Terrier is the perfect dog for you!

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Patterdale Terrier Prices

Average Patterdale Terrier Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy Patterdale Terrier dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great Patterdale Terrier puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a Patterdale Terrier dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your Patterdale Terrier puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable Patterdale Terrier breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

Patterdale Terrier prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality Patterdale Terrier puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding Patterdale Terrier Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable Patterdale Terrier puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of Patterdale Terrier Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable Patterdale Terrier breeders. We actively screen Patterdale Terrier breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible Patterdale Terrier breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your Patterdale Terrier puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect Patterdale Terrier puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of Patterdale Terrier dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional Patterdale Terrier Resources:

• Patterdale Terrier Wikipedia Profile
• AKC Patterdale Terrier Breed Profile
• Patterdale Terrier Pictures
• Patterdale Terrier Videos

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