Brian Nuttall and his famous Line of Patterdale Terriers

Brian Nuttall is a name synonymous with the Patterdale Terrier breed. Renowned for his dedication and expertise, he is one of the most respected and influential breeders in the history of these working terriers. Nuttall's contributions date back to the 1960s when his breeding practices significantly shaped the breed, cementing his legacy in the world of working terriers.

The foundation of Nuttall's breeding program was built upon dogs inherited from his grandfather, as well as lines developed from Cyril Breay and Frank Buck’s bloodlines, which had been meticulously bred true to type before World War II. It’s said that some of the small pit dogs his grandfather and other miners used are behind many of Nuttall’s Patterdales. By the time he began actively breeding in the 1960s, his dogs began making a global impact.

Nuttall’s breeding efforts played a crucial role in propelling the Patterdale Terrier into the spotlight. The bloodlines he developed gave rise to many of today’s established strains. In fact, it’s widely believed that the fame of the Patterdale Terrier can be directly linked to Nuttall’s work with the Bowman line—a lineage that Breay and Buck had carefully maintained for decades.

To discuss Patterdales without mentioning Brian Nuttall is almost impossible. His influence can still be found coursing through the veins of many, if not most, Patterdales today. His legacy lives on in the breed’s enduring reputation for being gritty, determined, and true to their working roots. Brain was a supporter of the first registration in the history of the breed Patterdale Terrier Club of America, and for these reasons we honor his legacy now and forever