Bedlington Terrier
The modern-day Bedlington Terrier is a great show dog as well as a companion breed. That may come as a bit of a surprise as these dogs were bred primarily for vermin and pest control on English farms. They are pretty intuitive and have a greatly developed sense of smell - a combination that makes them great watchdogs.
The Bedlington has a distinct look, this dog has a lamb-like appearance and they do not resemble any other breed. They are playful and energetic, and they absolutely love attention. They prefer being the only pet in the household and that is probably a good idea as their prey drive remains rather high, so they do not mix well with smaller pets such as cats, guinea pigs, or ferrets.
Bedlington Terrier owners describe them as being great judges of character and that these dogs can sense if someone's intentions aren’t decent or nice. They come from the terrier family and have plenty of energy as most terrier breeds do, so keep in mind that they need plenty of daily exercises and mental activity.
They can learn to get along with children but will not tolerate too much inappropriate handling so make sure that their playtime is always supervised and within the playful boundaries.
Height:
15-17,5 in (38-44,5 cm)
Weight:
17-22 lb (8-10 kg)
Origin:
Great Britain
Life Expectancy:
11-16 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
Grooming
Bedlington Terrier coat comes in several colors, including:
- Blue
- Sandy
- Liver
- Blue and tan
- Sandy and tan
- Liver and tan
Brush their teeth at least three times a week to prevent tartar buildup and infections. Make sure you use products that are made especially for dogs as human products could potentially harm them. Trim their nails if they don’t wear them down naturally. A good indication is if you can hear them clicking on the floor while they walk.
Clean their ears and check for signs of redness or infections. Use a cotton cloth and never insert anything in their ear canal. You can always check with your Vet about the products you should use and the proper technique.
Exercise
Bedlington Terriers are active and require a lot of daily activities to be happy and healthy. With these dogs, you can take long walks, throw them the ball or simply play various games inside. If their physical needs are met you will have the most lovable and calm dog at home and you don’t have to worry that your dog will misbehave.
Since this is a versatile dog breed it is a great participant in canine sports such as tracking, agility, rally, or obedience.
Socialization
Like any other dog breed, the Bedlington Terrier should start the socialization process as soon as possible. Dogs that are not well socialized are prone to behavioral problems and might react badly to situations they are not familiar with.
There are many ways you can socialize your Bedlington Terrier, and the most important thing to do is to get your dog familiar with the different situations they can find themselves in. Take your dog to dog parks where they can meet other dogs and people. They can learn to react accordingly and understand that they don’t need to be scared of strangers and other dogs.
Bedlington Terrier and kids
Early socialization and proper training can teach them to behave even when children are around. Their temperament makes them more suitable for families with older children. Take note that kids need to be taught how to properly play and interact with a dog so Bedlington Terriers can enjoy their company.
If they are raised together from an early age, they will enjoy spending time together.
Bedlington Terrier and other animals
They can live with other dogs, but they can become aggressive toward dogs if the same-sex they meet outside. Also, these dogs will not start a fight but will not back down from it either.
These dogs can even learn to coexist with other pets, but they should never be left unsupervised with smaller pets because of their genetic prey drive.
Health problems
Like any other dog breed, the Bedlington Terrier can potentially develop health problems. If you are buying a dog, make sure the breeder can provide you with the necessary health tests and guarantees. Always ask to see the results of tests from the puppy’s parents. The health problems these dogs are associated with are:
- Patellar luxation
- Retinal dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Elbow Dysplasia
The Bedlington Terrier is generally considered a very healthy breed that can live 11-16 years.
Bedlington Terrier breeders
If you decide to go for one of these dogs, make sure that you get it from a reputable and registered Bedlington Terrier breeder. A good dog breeder will always care for the entire bloodline of the dogs they are breeding and producing. Quality breeding takes time so keep in mind that you might have to wait a bit for your new puppy. That shouldn’t bother you too much since this way, you will make sure that your new Bedlington puppy will be in the best possible physical and mental state and health.
You must find a good Bedlington Terrier breeder that can help you learn about this breed and make an informed choice about getting a dog with these characteristics.
Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure you will get a healthy puppy.
When you bring your new puppy home start with the training and socialization immediately. By doing so, you will end up with a well-behaved dog whom you can trust.
SEARCH BEDLINGTON TERRIER BREEDERS
World Dog Finder team
Updated at31.08.2023.
Breed History
Bedlington Terrier is a dog breed developed in the north of England. These dogs were favored by mineworkers who used them to get rid of rats.
It is unclear how old this breed actually is but the first use of the name “Bedlington Terrier” happened in 1825. so it is no wonder that these dogs are accepted in most of the world’s major cynology associations.
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