Bedlington Terrier

In my own words

 

Don’t be fooled by my sweet and innocent appearance, it’s all a big act really. People say I have the look of a lamb and the heart of a lion and I have to agree with them! I was born to hunt and I’ll take anything down from rats and rabbits to foxes… Nothing scares me! Once I’ve caught them, I’ll even bring them back to you if you’d like?

I don’t get many chances to go hunting these days, but I still have a lot of energy to use up so I spend a lot of time running about. I hope you like the great outdoors as much as I do! Otherwise I’ll have to find my own entertainment. I have a bit of a bad habit of barking a lot and digging up the garden when I’m bored… Well, I need to find some way to tire myself out, don’t I?

Once I’m finally feeling sleepy I’d love a cuddle though. There’s nothing better at the end of a long day running and hunting than curling up next to you. Don’t worry though – I’ve always got an ear out for any strange noises. If there are any intruders about I’ll be sure to let you know. You can count on me!

Information essential about the Bedlington Terrier

 

Kennel Club Group:

Terrier

Size:

Small: Weight: Male 18 - 23 lb (8 - 10kg) Female 18 - 23 lb (8 - 10kg)

Popularity:

 

Despite being small dogs with a lamb-like look, Bedlington Terriers are scrappy, courageous dogs that can make ferocious fighters. During the nineteenth century, Bedlington Terriers were popular with miners who took them down the mines to hunt vermin. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, they became popular show dogs, however their coat was difficult to manage and they didn’t stay in the spotlight very long.  Later, when better grooming tools were available, the Bedlington Terrier slowly started to become popular once again.

Breed History:

 

Originating in the 1800s from the county of Northumberland in North Eastern England, the Bedlington Terrier was originally bred to hunt rats in the mines which were prevalent in the region. The Bedlington Terrier’s original name was the Rothbury Terrier after the northern town of Rothbury. It wasn’t until around 1825 that the breed was renamed after the Bedlington mining Shire. As well as hunting vermin down the mines, Bedlington Terriers were also used to hunt foxes, hares and badgers and hunters used them as retrievers. The original Bedlington breed was later crossed with the whippet in order to create a more agile, faster breed. It has also been suggested that the Otterhound and Dandie Dinmont Terrier have contributed to the breed.

 

Character:

Confident, spirited, bold and sporty – your Bedlington Terrier is a big dog in a small body. He’s bred to hunt and sometimes it might feel like he isn’t afraid of anyone or anything. Your Bedlington Terrier thinks he can show a Rottweiler who’s boss, despite their difference in size! They’re never shy or nervous and will run the household if you let them. Small Dog Syndrome can be an issue with Bedlington Terriers so they need an owner who will be a firm and consistent pack leader with an air of authority in order to keep them in check. Bedlington Terriers have buckets of energy, which can make them high strung if they don’t get plenty of exercise. If they are both physically and mentally stimulated, your Bedlington will be a well-balanced, mild and gentle dog with plenty of affection to bestow upon you

Temperament:

 

The Bedlington has typical terrier traits; he’s a scrappy fighter, has a high prey drive, loves to dig, and can bark and bark seemingly without end. However, they are considered to be the softer of the terrier types. The Bedlington Terrier is warm and affectionate with a hugely loving personality. Even though they are usually fairly friendly with strangers, they are watchful dogs which are incredibly protective of their family and will always alert them to danger and approaching visitors. The Bedlington Terrier will get along with dogs and other animals providing they have been raised together, however they don’t tolerate dominating behaviour well and can react aggressively if threatened.

Conformation:

 

The Bedlington Terrier is a very distinctive looking dog with a lamb-like appearance. It has a pear shaped, narrow head with small almond shaped eyes. The muzzle is strong with no stop and the jaw is long and meets in a level or scissor bite. The ears are triangular and hanging, with tassels of hair on the ends. A muscular body holds a long neck, deep chest and a long, tapered tail, while the back is arched. The Bedlington Terrier’s double coat is thick, curly and contains both hard and soft hair.

Colour:

 

The Bedlington Terrier’s thick coat comes in blue, sandy or liver shades. There may also be tan coloured markings over the eyes and on the chest, legs and rear. Bedlington puppies are born dark, but lighten to their adult shade within one year.

Training:

 

The Bedlington Terrier is generally not an easy dog to train and needs a great deal of patience and guidance from its master. They can be independent and skittish and they can be easily distracted, so getting your Bedlington Terrier to focus on training can be a challenge. However, the breed thrives on human companionship and wants to please you, so stick to your training methods. Be firm, positive and rewarding and with time you’ll have a well-trained terrier that can excel in agility and obedience. They do not respond well to harsh training. Start training from a very young age in order to avoid excessive and obsessive barking and be sure to socialise them with people and other animals as soon as possible.

Care:

 

The Bedlington Terrier is a high maintenance breed when it comes to grooming, due to the nature of his coat. The Bedlington coat sheds very little hair, but needs specialised clipping every six weeks from a knowledgeable professional. The coat should be thinned and clipped close to the head and body to accentuate the Bedlington Terrier’s shape. The ears should be shaved. Your Bedlington Terrier will also need to be brushed on a regular basis, however bathing should be kept to a minimum as it can damage the texture of the coat. As the Bedlington Terrier sheds very little it is considered a good breed option for allergy sufferers.

Health:

 

The Bedlington terrier is prone to an inherited liver problem called Copper Storage Disease, which is very serious. The breed is also susceptible to hereditary kidney disease, PRA, thyroid problems and eye problems, such as cataracts and retinal disease. If you are considering buying a Bedlington Terrier, always make sure that you buy from a reputable breeder, see the parents of puppies and meet the dog in their home environment.

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