With Its pear shaped head, its curly coat closely trimmed like poodles, and its odd but not elegant lines, this dog bears a clear resemblance to a lamb. The Bedlington's fragile appearance is however deceptive. In early days, when it was known as the Rothberry terrier, this strongly built dog had shorter legs and was used to hunt not only such vermin as mice and rats and badgers but also foxes and perhaps even wolves.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, miners in Northumberland used the rothburry underground to rid their tunnels of rats. Later, they crossed it with a whippit among others and produced a longer legged more refined bedlington terrier, without sacrificing the breed's original qualities. The new breeds terrier endurance and racing hound speed made it a long standing companion of poachers hence its nickname, Gypsy dog. An all purpose animal, it could go after a otter, run down a rabbit and hold its own in a dog fight.

Gradually it became valued as a companion dog. Modifications in breed type were made and the Bedlington terrier was transformed into the charming and comfort loving creature known today. Artistic trimming and barbering give the dog its distinctive lamb like silhouette. Although the Bedlington is, fairly stubborn and often very aggressive towards other dogs, it does show a great deal of affection and is absolutely loyal to its family.

Basically British, this breed probably hails from Northumberland, although its exact origin remains a mystery. It is certain however that the Dandie Dinmont terrier is one of its ancestors and with a cross of a whippit helped to refine its lines.