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Patterdale terriers are such a fun breed of dog to own. They are high energy, intelligent and loyal to their owners. However, due to their characteristics there are some common Patterdale terrier behaviour problems. What are they? And as a Patterdale owner, how can these be resolved?
Prey Drive — Chasing and Killing small Creatures
As Patterdale terriers were originally bred for hunting, their prey drive that is difficult to get rid of. After all, the breed was bred in the Lake District for hunting foxes and badgers. Many farmers use them today for ratting or protecting game birds during a hunt.
This means that they will go for small creatures such as rats or squirrels quite often ignoring their owners call for them to come back. This can be extremely dangerous near main roads. Their prey-drive can also be an issue if a Patterdale terrier is brought into a household that has small pets such as guinea pigs or hamsters. It is not ideal for Patterdale and rodents to mix as pets. If your guinea pig escaped this could end in disaster.
