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I often get asked by other dog owners ‘How long do Patterdale terriers live for?’ What is the Patterdale terrier lifespan? Of course, the heartbreaking part of dog ownership is saying goodbye at the end of their life, and we all want to know that we have as long as possible with our furry friends. The great news is that Patterdale terriers have a relatively long lifespan for a dog.
The Average Patterdale Terrier Lifespan
Small dogs tend to live longer than larger breeds and most terriers are sturdy. The fact that Patterdale terriers have not been overly bred and are not Kennel club recognised helps. Patterdale Terriers generally live for between 12-15 years when well cared for and looked after with access to good vetenary treatment.
I’ve known people with Patterdale terriers that have lived to the age of 17 and 19 years old. In fact, I once met someone whose Patterdale terrier called Digger lived until he was 21!
How to help your Patterdale Terrier to live a long and Healthy Life
With good health care, diet and exercise you can help your patterdale terrier to live a long and healthy life.
Vaccinations and Health Care
Make sure that your dog is vaccinated and maintain the annual boosters to protect your dog from canine diseases. Also keep your dog up to date with flea and worm treatments. You may like to read more about maintaining good Patterdale terrier health here.
Exercise
Your Patterdale terrier will need at least two walks a day for around 30 minutes, preferably one of these being an off lead run in a safe and enclosed area. Patterdale terriers are bred in the Lake District of Cumbria (England) and are comfortable in countryside terrain in all British weathers. They will appreciate extended walks in the countryside for 2-3 hours on weekends and they are great companions on walking holidays.
Diet
Choose the right food for your dogs age. They are likely to be on puppy food up to around 12-18 months and then adult food for most of their life. At around 10 years old, you may decide to choose to switch to a senior dog food. Choose a balanced dog food such as Burns dog food or a healthy wet dog food such as Forthglade dog food. Always seek your vets advice if you are unsure of what to feed your pooch.
If you enjoyed this article you might also like to read about Taking your Patterdale to Patterdale
Our patterdale is 15 in November. She is generally in good health but has the most awful rotten fish smell. We have tried various things but nothing helps. It’s like a rotten smell and been like this for the past year, Any idea of what this may be
Thanks in advance
We have to ask – does this smell come from the arse end or mouth?!?! Have you tried changing her diet?
This could be anal glands.
A vet or groomer will be able to empty the anal glands.
Hi there I have a 13-year-old Patderdale named Luke he had terrible fish breath . We also changed the diet and everything else we could think of. .. Come to find out he had a problem tooth (Although his eating displayed nothing of the sort). The vet put him on antibiotics – No mire fishy breath
Our Patterdale named IZZY.
Had a very trawmatic and cruel start in life but we took her and cared for her from aged 2 years, she is now partially sighted and deaf, skin itches but she still has her senses and is cute and funny, we all love . She is now aged 18 years.
Our rescue Patterdale is now at least 15 and a half. Charlie is an amazing, happy, loving dog.
He’s almost totally deaf, has moderate cataracts, arthritis and his back legs are weakening.
But he has a good appetite and loves his little walks. If we go any distance he rides in his dog buggy. He just wants to be with us and we love having him around. He’s a local celebrity and loves all the attention. Long may he continue. As long as he’s happy….
Lovely to hear about the elderly Patterdales ~ we have two ~ scooby and barney ~ both near 17 ~ barney back legs very weak ~ loves his doggie buggie too like Charlie ~ scooby slight doggie dementia ~ but both still love getting out and about ~ each & every day now so precious.
Thanks everyone for the Patterdale info. I live in the US and was gifted a street pup 7 years ago and just found out he is a Patterdale. He is my sunshine. Sawyer is around 8 now. Glad to hear he will ne around a while longer.
Our familys Patterdale Ozzy is now just clicked over his 15th birthday. He’s a happy affectionate little guy. He’s not a huge fan of long walks anymore, literally stops and won’t budge. We think this might just be that he doesn’t want to go too far from his dinner bowl as when he does walk he hugely ups the pace for the return leg.
He has to have Royal Canin Gastrointestinal food now as all other foods started to make him sick.