Bedlington Terriers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in North America. They are a type of terrier that is known for their long-haired coat. Because they have a lot of hair, cutting it is quite difficult and time-consuming. 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 certainly have a unique haircut, and here’s how you can get a distinct look for your Bedlington pup.
Bedlington Terrier Haircut: The Classic Bedlington Terrier Look
Bedlington Terriers have a distinct haircut. With a lamb-like head, a rat-like tail, jack rabbit-like paws, and a delicate arch over their loin, one would wonder why a Bedlington Terrier is groomed the way it is.
Even Dr. Dennis Corash, President of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America, believes that the origin of this hair-cutting technique is a mystery. Bedlingtons have been groomed with distinctive ear tassels, trimmed crowns, and shaved face, neck, and tail since the late 1800s, although it’s unclear why.
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.
10 Steps To Cut A Bedlington Terrier’s Hair
Bedlington Terriers require a lot of work to get perfect, because of their rise over their groin, rat-tail, tassel ears, hare foot, and long narrow tube-shaped head, and not to mention a very fine soft coat.
Here are 10 steps to cut A Bedlington Terrier’s Hair:
1. Use a clipper with a #40 blade setting to begin the clipper task. On the outside of the ear, clip “against” the grain. Flatten the ear leather between your fingers. Begin clipping an inverted “V” approximately 1 inch above the ear’s tip. Continue along the same lines on the inside of the ear. Clip the ear to the top of the skull where it meets the earlobe.
2. Then, from the top corner of the ear to the corner of the eye, and from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth, cut the sides of the cheeks. A Bedlington’s whole under-jaw should be trimmed clean.
3. Make a “V” from the middle of the neck up to the bottom corner of each ear, similar to how you would on a Poodle’s throat. Start approximately 1 inch below Adam’s apple. In these areas, you can use a #15 blade setting against the grain.
4. Now, with the #40 blade, clip the tail against the grain. Begin at the very end of the tail. Clip up to one-third of the tail length towards the body. Only the upper side of the tail should have a “V.” Clean up the sides and underneath using a clip.
5. From the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail, the Bedlington style is a sequence of “V” and “S” forms with smooth curves. The underlining on the body should be the same as the top line. In the tuck-up area, leave the roach at the highest point of the top line and the highest point of the under line. The top line’s lowest point should be somewhat beyond the withers. The underline’s lowest point echoes this.
6. Not cat feet, but “Hare feet” sloping slightly at the pasterns and angling into tightly clipped feet should be seen in Bedlingtons. Parallel lines should be visible on the inside and outside of the rear legs when seen from behind. The tail is scissor-styled into the croup at around a 30-degree angle. Approach the roach’s highest point above the loin. Then slowly slope up through the neck and into the withers. Keep in mind that there should be no abrupt lines or transitions.
7. The Bedlington head is a distinctive feature of the breed. A long, slender head is ideal. Now stare at the head right in the eyes. The contour of a paper towel roll should be visible. It should have a small arch from the nose to the top of your occiput, which is your highest point.
8. The sides of the neck should be close-fitting and the length of a skip tooth 7. Parallel lines should be drawn from the ears down the sides of the front legs. Make sure the front legs are the same size as the back legs.
9. From the throat to the toes, the front legs should have a small fore chest, no bib, and be reasonably straight. Scissor the ear edges to make them seem clean and smooth.
10. It’s done! You will get the classic “lamb-like” look of the Terrier.
Keeping Your Bedlington Terrier Unclipped
If you want, you can also keep your Bedlington Terrier unclipped for some time.
If you have a Bedlington Terrier, you know that the fur can be a nightmare to deal with. It’s not always easy to keep your pet’s coat looking healthy and clean all the time without clipping.
Make sure that your pet has access to fresh water at all times. This is important because it keeps their skin hydrated, which in turn helps them maintain healthy hair and skin.
Remember, it is important to not let your dog go without clipping for too long. Clipping helps to avoid the risk of them getting tangled in their own hair or accidentally getting caught on something and injuring themselves.
Conclusion
With its lamb-like appearance and gorgeous curly fur, Bedlington Terriers have to be one of the cutest breeds on the globe. 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.
Thank you for reading the article.
Here are other articles on Bedlington Terriers if you’re interested to know more about the breed.
How do you cut your Bedlington Terrier’s hair? Share your tips in the comments below!