Patterdale Terrier Breed Guide: Size, Temperament and Coat
Overview
The Patterdale Terrier is a sturdy, tough, active little terrier with a compact, balanced look. The breed descends mainly from the Fell Terrier of Northern England.
History
Most of the breed's ancestry traces to the black, smooth-coated Fell Terrier, a dog shaped by the harsh conditions of Northern England. Fell Terriers were used to control vermin that preyed on sheep, and they were bred to bolt quarry from a den or deal with it if it fought. The United Kennel Club recognized the Patterdale Terrier in 1995.
How big does a Patterdale Terrier get?
On Patterdale terrier size, the United Kennel Club standard puts Patterdale dog size at 10 to 15 inches tall at the withers. As a working terrier, it needs a build that can squeeze through very small passages underground, and its chest should be narrow enough to be spanned behind the shoulders by an average man's hands.
Patterdale Terrier temperament
Patterdale temperament is described as courageous, with dogs that are very willing to work and have a high desire to please. They are very active and have a strong prey drive, and although they should be peaceful with people, livestock and other dogs, the standard says they are not a dog for the average pet owner. They are said to suit an owner with a sense of humor who can tolerate a real terrier temperament.
Coat and grooming: broken coat and rough coat Patterdale Terriers
The coat may be smooth, broken or rough, with a short, dense undercoat in each type, and very little grooming is needed to keep it healthy. A broken coat Patterdale Terrier has an intermediate coat with coarse, wiry guard hairs that may be wavy, and it may or may not have a beard, moustache and eyebrows. In a rough coat Patterdale Terrier, the hair is coarse and longer overall, including on the face and ears. A correct coat helps protect the dog from wet ground and briars.
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 8, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Patterdale Terrier | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 8, 2026
