Mark Wamback has been involved in purebred dogs since the early 1990s, getting his start in Junior showmanship and working for a local Airedale breeder in Nova Scotia, Canada. Mark later apprenticed, over a period of several years, under the famed American professional handlers Clay Coady, Margery Good, and Peter Green.  

The "Wakefield" prefix was first registered in 1997, and was granted permanent registration status in 2010. Since 1999, Wakefield has bred or owned approximately forty champion Airedale or Lakeland Terriers. Many hold championships in both Canada and the United States, and Mark has shown more than a dozen different Best in Show winners, both for Wakefield and for other breeders and owners. Most of our champions are featured in the "Our Dogs" section of this website and pictured in the photo gallery.

Mark is a member of the Canadian Kennel Club, Atlantic Terrier Association, United States Lakeland Terrier Club (USLTC), the Georgina Kennel Club, and the Airedale Terrier Club of America.   Mark subscribes to the Codes of Ethics of each of these organizations, and considers the protection of the breed to be of paramount importance in all of breeding decisions.  Club involvement has included Mark as Editor of the USLTC's newsletter (recently nominated by the Dog Writers Association of America for a Maxwell Medallion -- "Outstanding Club Publication") as well as various committee and executive positions over the years. In 2008, he was honored with the Club's "President's Award" for outstanding service to the USLTC. Additionally, he is the 2010 recipient of the American Kennel Club's "Outstanding Sportsmanship Award" on behalf of the USLTC.  In 2011, the American Kennel Club inducted Wakefield into the "Breeder of Merit" program.  Also in 2011, Mark was elected to judge the Sweepstakes for the United States Lakeland Terrier Club National Specialty at Montgomery County.

Wakefield breeds approximately two litters per year, and the sole motive for each mating is to further the quality of our breeding program.   Litters are carefully planned and incorporate the strengths of a variety of other breeding programs; rarely do we keep stud dogs and thus we have been fortunate to have strong relationships with significant breeders throughout the Lakeland Terrier community.  Relationships with our pet owners are a cornerstone of our involvement in purebred dogs, and to that end we fully support anyone who purchases dogs from us.  Our dogs have been exported to Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, as well as extensively across North America.  We have a firm commitment to breed improvement. Companion puppies are available by reservation to prospective owners who wish to have a quality, well-bred Lakeland Terrier and a lifetime of support from an experienced and reputable breeder.

We look forward to each of our litters. The best part of breeding dogs is watching the individual puppies develop, both physically and mentally. From their first breath of air to their first steps - from their first dog show to their first litter of puppies; watching the "life cycle" of our Lakeland Terriers is fascinating.