While on the
surface it might seem that these working Fells are a
"departure from the norm", in actuality they are
much more closely tied to Jack Russell bloodlines
than some might realize. Because the Jack Russell
is a "strain" or "type" of working terrier as
opposed to a pure breed, the crossing of other types
of working terriers to Russells is something that
has been done since the dawn of the breed, and it
might be a bit of a surprise to some to learn just
how much of an influence the working Fell/Lakeland
type has had and continues to have in so many
Jack Russell pedigrees of today; particularly some
of the English imports. I have always favored the
strong Lakeland type, which is immediately obvious
in my dogs. Old Sailor himself was pretty much
nothing more than a white Lakeland, and Tag as
well was actually linebred back to
a white Lakeland. To me, these wonderful red dogs
are nothing more than the type of dog I strive to
breed, just in a different color.
One has to
remember that for the working terriermen in England,
the main objective for any breeding was to produce
good reliable workers. They weren't breeding for
the show ring, focusing on one or two particular
traits that would help bring home that next
championship ribbon. It was all about putting a
good worker to a good worker, and it really didn't
matter what color that dog happened to be, even if
it was sky-blue pink! It also didn't matter
whether it was a Russell, a Fell, a Lakeland, a
Border, or even a Bedlington. What mattered was
how the dogs hunted. And while "these days", when
far too many people are focusing on what will be the
next success in the show ring, there still is a core
group of breeders out there who continue to breed
for working ability above all else. And, it seems
that for some, the infusion of Fell/Lakeland blood
does indeed help to achieve that goal today just as
it did in days past.
I was first
taken with this type two years ago when I hunted
with one for the first time. As I watched this red
dog work pretty much exactly as Bear works, I was
smitten with these working Lakelands, and decided I
just had to have one! They're a bit different
temperament-wise, being quieter and generally easier
than Russells, but tough as nails in the field. I'm
thrilled with my foundation red bitch, and am
looking forward to what she will do for me in the
field and as a broodbitch. Still, nothing can ever
take the place of my "little white dogs".......but I
sure do love these "big red dogs"!
