About the Kennel

It started around 1995 when I found myself at home alone, wanting a new family member to share my time with. How was the decision made to breed Lakeland Terriers? Well, like many breeders, it was an accident that became a passion.

I wanted an Airedale, but my partner said it was too big... and here we are. While I was always proud of the dogs, it wasn't until many years later—after gaining more knowledge, understanding, and support—that our lines improved, and our pups at the kennel became something to be truly proud of.

We have always prioritized temperament. If a dog is not of sound temperament, then you have nothing. While some may breed solely for the show ring, our focus has always been, and still is, on breeding sound dogs that meet the standards in every aspect.

The New Zealand show world is very small, and sadly, it’s often more about who you know than the quality and standard of the dog being presented. In recent years, dog show numbers have dropped dramatically for obvious reasons, and as you walk around the ring during judging, you often hear snippets like "face judging" or "you know who will win today." It's sad for those who breed for excellence and preservation.

This breed is a rare sight in the show ring, and another issue often faced is the lack of knowledge some judges have about this dog. Dogs may be presented with incorrect size, movement, and type, yet they are often found winning. A recent example of a judge's lack of knowledge—or bias—was when our handler was told that they thought "Turbo was too small." Yet, Turbo was correct to standard in every way: size, weight, and type. He held championships in America, Canada, and New Zealand. His semen was also sought after worldwide.

It is for this reason that our kennel is rarely seen at dog shows. I have often looked at the lineup for our group and seen a fine dog of a different breed passed over by the judge in favor of an inferior dog, for whatever reason. It’s a very sad state, and this perception is held by many.

Today, we continue to offer both handsome and sound pups. We remain the small kennel we always were, raising the pups in our home. Our bitches live with their owners, and the dogs live with us. By working together, we continue to breed pups we are proud of. We have established a private Facebook page for our owners to share and enjoy updates on their pups and dogs.

It is a very positive system because the females are in their own homes, not kennels. This gives the pups a great start, teaching them everyday life within a family and creating a secure environment for them to explore. Transitioning into their forever homes is almost seamless.

For the owners of the females who work with the kennel and participate in the breeding program, it allows their girls to become more mature, more at one with the world, and, all in all, wiser little dogs. Time and time again, owners tell us about the positive changes in their already much-loved pets. This approach ensures our lines continue, and we are fully aware of the DNA we are working with.

The main focus of the kennel is not how many pups we can breed but how sound and healthy the pups we do breed are. With the Pacific gene pool being so small and the breed on the endangered list worldwide, many caring breeders have come together to ensure the small gene pool remains diverse, sound, and healthy. It is in this way that the breed may be secured for the future.

Breeding in this way means honest pedigrees, knowing your lines back many generations, and working with those whose dogs complement or improve your lines. It is a responsible breeding program, and as with all responsible breeding, it is expensive and not a profit-making venture.

Thank you for reading and sharing this information with us.

Lee