Characteristics, history, care tips and other useful information for Bedlington Terrier dogs. Often described as a dog in sheep’s clothing, Bedlington Terriers are named after the mining town in England where they originated. Today, these unique English dogs make charming family companions, but while they’re cute (and cuddly!), they’re also versatile alert and sporting watchdogs, fiercely protective of their loved ones. The Bedlington is an ideal dog for an active family looking for a playful, loyal companion who doesn’t shed.
Overview
GROUP: landowners
HEIGHT: Female: 38–42 cm, Male: 41–44 cm
WEIGHT: Female: 7.7–10 kg, Male: 7.7–10 kg
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FUR AND COLOR: mix of coarse and soft, but not wiry hair. Grey-blue, sand or dark brown, sometimes combined with gold,
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 11-16 years
Characteristics of Bedlington Terrier dogs
| Level of affection | Mare |
| Friendliness | Mare |
| Friendship with children | Mare |
| Friendship with other animals | environment |
| The need for physical exercise | Mare |
| Desire to play | Mare |
| Energy level | Mare |
| Training | environment |
| Intelligence | Mare |
| Tendency to bark | Mare |
| mute | microphone |
History of the Bedlington Terrier breed
A unique, lamb-like breed, the Bedlington Terrier is said to have been bred from touring hunting dogs such as the Whippet due to its arched back (not to mention its speed and agility), but is also believed to share a common ancestry with breeds such as the Dandie Dinmont, Kerry Blue and soft-coated Wheaten Terrier. They move with a graceful, springy stride, but can run incredibly fast when the situation calls for it.
Although they seem like gentle little lambs, Bedlington has actually been responsible for some difficult, and often deadly, actions throughout its history. Bred in the 1800s, these courageous and energetic dogs were created in the Bedlington mining area of Northumberland as working dogs. The Bedlington was a prized hunting dog for animals such as foxes, rabbits and badgers, and Bedlington miners were also expected to be rat hunters.
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The first Bedlington Terrier was a dog named Piper. Raised in 1825, Piper was said to still be hunting badgers at the age of 14, even though he was nearly blind and toothless. At that time, the Bedlington was considered the smartest and fastest terrier breed.
In fact, the breed acquired the nickname «Gypsy Dog» because it was often used by wandering Roma as a sneaky partner in their poaching activities. The «Gypsy Dog» was recognized by Lord Rothbury of Bedlington and became such an enthusiast of the breed that the terriers were often called Rothbury’s Terriers – and sometimes even Rothbury’s Lambs.
And the nailmakers of Bedlington fell in love with the breed, and it wasn’t long before the miners and nailmakers of the county began betting their earnings on dog fights that pitted their terriers against each other.
They have found that, despite their lamb-like appearance, Bedlington Terriers will become fierce fighters and will not give up when challenged… and will unfortunately fight to the death if forced into these circumstances. While miners exploited them as fighting dogs, hunters relied on Bedlingtons as retrievers.
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The good news is that Bedlington turned out to be more of a lover than a fighter. These charming dogs eventually emerged from the coal mines and nail factories to become welcome in mansions, where British elites bred their Bedlingtons to be both friendly companions and attractive decorations as part of their lavish and elegant lifestyle.
The National Bedlington Terrier Club of England was founded in 1877, and less than 10 years later the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered its first Bedlington. Those who live in Bedlington, England still take pride in this famous export; Bedlington’s Northern League football team is called the Terriers and the town has even installed benches in the shape of the dog breed.
Grooming Bedlington Terrier Dogs
Bedlingtons are lean, energetic dogs with a curly coat and a cute pear-shaped head. Their coat is a mix of soft and coarse (but not wiry) fur, and many Bedlington owners are pleasantly surprised to learn that these dogs don’t shed much, if at all.
However, their fur grows very quickly and will therefore need to be taken to the groomer approximately every two months; they can also be clipped at home either with special clippers and scissors, or taken to a professional groomer.
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The coat will also need to be brushed and/or combed once or twice a week and, as with all dogs, nails will need to be trimmed, teeth cleaned and ears checked regularly.
Being terriers, Bedlingtons possess a great deal of energy and will require regular exercise to aid their physical and mental wellbeing – this breed will love playing fetch, or going for a long walk or run, but will be more than happy to curl up on the sofa with the family afterwards. They tend to bark a lot and can become overly exuberant without exercise and mental stimulation.
Although this breed is energetic, it is not particularly difficult to train or picky. Like most terriers, the Bedlington Terrier can be stubborn yet intelligent and eager to please, so early training and socialization is recommended.
This breed does not respond to harsh training methods or physical corrections as it is more likely to lead to a battle of wills with the owner. Instead, training should be done by owners who are not passive and are willing to remain firm and consistent while relying on positive reinforcement techniques such as offering praise and food as rewards.
Although they look like a lamb, Bedlingtons were actually bred to track small animals. Therefore, this breed will require a fenced yard and should always be kept on a leash as they are likely to start chasing another animal and it is also best to introduce them to other pets such as cats when they are puppies. Many of these dogs enjoy participating in sports and competitions such as agility, tracking and dressage.
Overall, these charming dogs are a lot of fun and love nothing more than being the center of attention for their family. These even-tempered, gentle dogs are wonderful with children and are known to be fiercely protective of their loved ones; this is why they make excellent watchdogs, although they are generally quite friendly towards strangers.
Common health problems
Although a generally healthy breed, the Bedlington Terrier has been associated with conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, thrombopathy, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease, and some eye problems.
Diet and nutrition
Bedlington Terriers should thrive on high-quality or homemade (with veterinary supervision) dog food. Like many dogs, they can become overweight, so calorie intake and weight should always be carefully monitored by a veterinarian. It is also important that this active dog always has access to fresh, clean water.
Advantages
- Suitable for families
- Kind and wonderful with children
- Excellent watchdog
disadvantage
- It takes a lot of practice
- Not suitable for apartments
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