The Patterdale Terrier, sometimes called the "Black Fell Terrier," has a short, coarse, broken coat or wire coat that comes in red, brown, black & tan, or black. The face is thickset and the eyes are inquisitive. The widely spaced ears are set high and hang in v-shaped folds. The well-built body is thicker than most any terrier; it resembles that of a Bull Terrier. The legs are solid, with medium-sized feet and sable pads.
Temperament
The Patterdale Terrier is a laid back terrier, not as yappy as some other terriers. It enjoys "curling up at the heating duct" in the house. Although the Patterdale Terrier's small size could qualify him as a toy dog, his abilities and gameness deems him as a solid terrier; his determination and toughness demand his inclusion in the mastiff group. They are game and tough when hunting. Hunters often take three or four dogs with them on an outing. The Patterdale Terrier is a good watchdog. This is not a dog for the non-terrier fan or the faint-hearted. The Patterdale Terrier is a robust, independent hunter bred solely for functional services as a ratter and hunting companion. Its Bull Terrier bloodlines make it too fierce to work as a hunter with pack hounds. They are particularly hard and persistent. Many Foxhound owners would not thank you for attempting to bolt his fox with a hard bitten Patterdale, for the dog is more likely to get hold and have a go, possibly kill the fox rather then allow him to bolt, thus spoiling the hunt with the hounds. It is an excellent digger, intently willing to encounter and attack any mammal that has gone to ground. The fells of the north country, with the protection afforded foxes in borrans, rock tip, mines and scree, created the need for a hard terrier able to scramble over the terrain and fearless enough to go to ground. The Patterdale filled, and still does, fill that need. The interest of local breeders ensures it survival. The breed is not easy to obedience train. The Patterdale should not be trusted with non-canine pets.