The Bedlington terrier may be little, but they pack a lot of personality into their small frame. This is an adaptable, friendly dog who enjoys being the focus of attention. Thankfully, the breed’s lamb-like look and classic distinct haircut will surely garner a lot of attention.

The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of small terrier dog that has been around since the 1800s. They also have an interesting history as they were originally bred to hunt otters in the Northumberland region.

Today, these adorable English dogs make wonderful family companions, they are also astute watchdogs and versatile athletes who are fiercely protective of their loved ones. A non-shedding, lively, and devoted friend, the Bedlington is an excellent choice for a busy household.

Read on to find out all about the Bedlington Terrier.

Overview Of The Breed

Breed Type	Height	Weight	Lifespan	Price
Terrier Dogs	15 to 17 inches	17 to 23 pounds	10-14 years	$1500 (average)

History

The precise origin of the Bedlington Terrier is unknown, while some believe that breeds such as the Dandie Dinmont and the Otterhound had a role in its development. A strain of Terrier known as the Rothbury Terrier or Northumberland Fox Terrier is said to have been created for game hunting in the late 1700s in the north of England. In 1825, Joseph Ainsley, a Bedlington inhabitant, raised two Rothbury Terriers. The puppies that resulted were given the name Bedlington Terriers.

While it’s possible that breeds like the Whippet were mixed with the breed on occasion, there are no records. The Bedlington Terrier, with their remarkable agility, excelled in hunting wildlife such as rabbits, otters, foxes, badgers, and rats, catching the attention of local squires, who decided to have their own Bedlington Terriers. The breed began to be showcased and found in rich houses in the late nineteenth century. The popularity of the breed surpassed all social barriers, and they began competing in shows in the mid-1800s. In 1877, the National Bedlington Terrier Club was founded in England. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886.

Appearance

The Bedlington Terrier is a small breed of dog that is known for its unusual appearance. They have a long body, low-set ears, and a distinctive ruff that is hairless. They have an easy-to-care-for coat that is dense and soft to the touch. Bedlington Terriers also have short legs with webbed paws and dark brown eyes.

1. Height/Weight:

The average height of a Bedlington Terrier is 16 inches and their weight ranges from 17 to 23 pounds.

2. Body Structure:

The Bedlington terrier is a small, short-legged, long-haired dog with a unique body structure. They have an elongated body and large head that resembles the Foxhound. The ears are set high on the head and are folded over in a “prick” shape. The tail is also slightly curved and hangs down behind the back legs.

3. Coat Type/Color:

Bedlington terrier coat types are classified into three categories – smooth, rough, and wire.

These dogs have a wide variety of coat colors. They range from black and white to brown, tan, red, and even blue. The most common colors are black, followed by blue and chocolate. Silver grey is the rarest color of the breed.

Personality/Temperament

The Bedlington Terrier is an intelligent breed of dog that makes for a great family pet. They are friendly, affectionate, and playful with children and adults alike. They also have a natural ability to hunt small game such as rabbits and birds.

Bedlington Terriers can live in an apartment or condo without causing too much trouble due to their size. They also make great watchdogs because they are very alert and aware of what’s going on around them.

Bedlington terriers are known to be good with children. They are playful and friendly, making them great child-friendly pets. However, even though Bedlington is patient and often fun with children, they may not be tolerant of roughhousing, inadvertent blunders, or rambunctiousness in younger children. This is why the breed is best suited for a household with older children.

Bedlington Terriers also get along well with other dogs, especially if they’ve been raised with them, although they can be violent towards dogs of the same gender. They won’t instigate a fight, but they won’t back down from one, either, like most terriers.

When provoked, Bedlington Terriers can be vicious fighters, so employ caution when introducing them to new canine friends, particularly other adults of the same sex. Male Bedlingtons, in particular, will battle until they have done significant damage.

Trainability

Training a Bedlington Terrier is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a lot of patience and time to train them to do what you want them to do.

Here are some tricks to train a Bedlington Terrier puppy.

1. Feed them small pieces of food every few hours:

This will help to build their appetite and keep them from getting bored.

2. Keep them busy with a toy or a game:

This will help to keep their attention span longer and prevent boredom. If you want to reward them for good behavior, give them a treat after each training session.

3. Keep the training sessions short:

Keep in mind that a dog’s attention span is shorter than a human’s so make sure you don’t spend too much time on one task.

4. Always use positive reinforcement when training:

Bedlington Terriers can be stubborn during the training process. So, make sure you never use punishment and negative training techniques. Praise them a lot so that they know what good behavior is. This will help them to know that they are doing the right thing.

5. Be patient with your pup:

You must be patient when your Bedlington is learning new commands. Don’t expect them to learn quickly; it takes time for dogs to learn things that they haven’t done before.

It takes about six months to a year to train your Bedlington puppy to be a good family companion. You should start with basic commands and then gradually introduce more complicated ones.

Grooming

Bedlington Terriers are known for their short and dense coat. They need regular grooming to keep them looking good and healthy.

The good news- Bedlington Terriers are hypoallergenic because they are not prone to shedding and don’t cause allergies or skin problems in general. They don’t have much hair around their face or their eyes, so people with allergies should feel comfortable owning Bedlington Terriers.

Although Bedlington Terriers do not shed, their coats grow rapidly and must be clipped on a regular basis. So, it is important for owners to keep their dogs’ hair trimmed so that they don’t get tangled in it and create more work for themselves.

Bedlington Terriers have a distinct haircut. They have a lamb-like head, a rat-like tail, jack rabbit-like paws, and a delicate arch over their loin. The best way to cut a Bedlington terrier’s hair is to use a clipper to cut about 1/4 inch off the length of the fur. Then use scissors to trim the hair around the edges. Lastly, use a razor blade to shave any excess fur from around the dog’s eyes and mouth. When their coats are properly groomed and clipped on a regular basis, their charming lamb-like form is highlighted, particularly around their heads and bodies.

There are different ways to groom your Bedlington Terrier, depending on the length of their coat. Some of them include:

1. Brushing your Bedlington’s hair twice a week will help remove dead hair and keep it from matting up.

2. Shampooing your Bedlington every few weeks is necessary for keeping the skin healthy and shiny.

3. Trimming your Bedlington’s nails every week is important as it keeps them healthy and prevents them from catching on to things or hurting themselves.

4. Giving your Bedlington a weekly trim keeps the fur under control and prevents unwanted hairballs.

5. Cleaning their ears at least once a week with a cotton ball dampened with ear cleaner or a veterinarian-recommended solution will avoid infection, redness, or irritation in the ears.

Adaptability

The temperament of these dogs makes them extremely adaptable pets. Bedlington Terriers are the perfect apartment dogs. Bedlington Terriers love to play with other dogs and will not be destructive when left alone for too long. They are also excellent with children and other pets in the home.

But before you make the decision to bring one into your home, you should know whether or not a Bedlington Terrier can adapt to your home environment.

1. Ideal Living Condition:

At first appearance, the Bedlington Terrier may not appear to be an ideal pet for apartment dwellers. However, if you get past the fluffy white coat, you’ll find that this dog is versatile, loving, and ideally tempered to live in apartments.

Bedlington Terriers resemble sheep in appearance, with a tightly curled, fluffy white coat that doesn’t shed much. This is an excellent breed quality for anyone living in an apartment who is concerned about pet dander and fur. These terriers are small enough to fit into any home, with an average height and weight of 17 inches and 20 pounds.

2. Ideal Home Environment:

Bedlington Terriers are not meant to live without human companionship, so it is important to understand what these needs are before bringing one into your home.

Bedlington Terriers need lots of exercise and mental stimulation – both of which can be difficult when left alone for long periods of time. They also need someone who understands their personality and will give them the attention they crave as well as playtime.

So, if you have a Bedlington Terrier at home, it is important that you provide them with enough love and attention so that they can remain happy and healthy throughout their life.

3. Ideal Owner:

Bedlington Terriers are considered to be one of the best terrier breeds. They are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and affection towards people

However, these are large dogs that need a lot of physical and mental exercise. They are not recommended for first-time owners as they require a lot of attention from their owners. Novice owners may not be able to take care of Bedlington’s needs as these dogs may also be difficult to train.

But, if you are willing to train and give them a chance, then you will find out that they can really be the best family dog for you and your kids.

Health

Bedlington Terriers are known to be a hardy breed of dog. But they are also known to have a few health problems.

The most common health problems for this breed of dogs include:

1. Skin allergies:

Pollen, mold, and dust allergies cause people to sneeze and scratch their eyes. But allergies in dogs cause itching skin instead of sneezing. Bedlington Terriers are prone to ‘Atopy’, a kind of skin allergy. The most commonly afflicted areas are the feet, tummy, skin folds, and ears.

2. Patellar Luxation:

The patella (kneecap) of your Bedlington Terrier may move out of position from time to time (called patellar luxation). You may observe that when they run, they suddenly pull up one of their rear legs and skip or hop for a few paces. Then they kick their leg out sideways to reposition the kneecap, and they’re good to go.

3. Eye Problems:

Unfortunately, Bedlington Terriers can be born with or develop a variety of eye problems.

Distichiasis is a disorder caused by additional hairs growing inside the eyelid and rubbing against the eye’s surface. This is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases in dogs, and your Bedlington Terrier is more susceptible to it than other breeds.

In Bedlington Terriers, dry eye, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS, is frequent. Tear glands generate insufficient tears to keep the eye moist, resulting in painful, itchy eyes and infections.

4. Dental Issues:

Your Bedlington Terrier, unfortunately, is more prone than other dogs to suffer dental issues. It begins with tartar build-up on the teeth and proceeds to gum infection and tooth root infection.

5. Copper Toxicosis:

Copper Toxicosis, which affects a small number of dog breeds, including the Bedlington Terrier, is a potentially deadly illness. The disorder is caused by a buildup of copper in the liver, which can lead to liver disease and early mortality in animals.

The average lifespan of a Bedlington Terrier is between 12 to 14 years.

Bedlington Terrier Cost

The cost of a Bedlington Terrier can vary depending on the breeder’s location and the quality of the dog. The average cost for a puppy is about $1500.

The cost of a Bedlington terrier varies depending on a number of factors, including the kennel and what is included in the package. To the expensive price tag, some breeders add pet registration certificates, first medical care, deworming treatments, feeding expenditures, and other supplies.

Getting the right breeder for your puppy is one of the most important decisions you will make. There are many breeders in different parts of the world and it can be difficult to find a reputable one, but it is worth the effort. If you’re not careful, you could end up with a poorly bred or sickly pup.

Adopting or rescuing a Bedlington Terrier, on the other hand, can save you some money. Adoptions from your local shelter cost around $150, whereas rescue adoptions cost around $500.

Bedlington Terrier and Poodle Mix: The Bedoodle

The Bedlington Terrier is a crossbreed of the UK’s first dog breed, the Bedlington, and the Poodle. The Bedlington is a small terrier with a long body, and the Poodle is a medium-sized dog with a curled tail.

This mix has gained popularity among those who love dogs that are small but have big personalities. They are known to be playful and energetic and can be perfect for families with children as they tend to get along well with kids.

Also, both parent breeds are hypoallergenic, making this combination ideal for persons who suffer from dog allergies.

Conclusion

Overall, the Bedlington Terrier is a delightful, clever, and lively companion. They can adapt to a variety of settings, including apartments, houses, and single-family homes. They’re also warm, devoted, and loving. This dog also makes a fantastic security dog. Sure, they get bored fast, require additional grooming, and like chasing little animals, but their caring and devoted nature will win you over.

Thank you for reading the article.

For more interesting facts about the Bedlington Terriers, check out ‘10 Interesting Bedlington Terrier Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know About’

Do you have a Bedlington Terrier? What do they look like? Are they good family dogs? Are they trained? We want to know it all! Share with us your experience with Bedlington Terriers in the comments!