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Bedlington Terrier

Breed Description

Bred solely for hunting badgers, and rodents, the Bedlington Terrier has a sheep-like appearance that originates from Bedlington, Northumberland, England. Also known as the Rothbury terrier, this breed weighs 17-23 pounds, stands 15.5-16.5 inches at the shoulder.

Coat

The coat of a Bedlington Terrier is dense and thick. They are a weather-resistant double-coated breed with a coarse, wiry topcoat, and short undercoat. Their coat color is dark, and lightens as they mature into blue. Tan and blue, sandy and liver may also be seen.


Activity

The Bedlington is an active dog needing plenty of exercise. As with other terriers, this breed will become bored and destructive without sufficient activity. They require several brisk walks and aerobic recreational activities daily to keep them physically and mentally healthy. This breed is appropriate for earth dog, obedience, agility, and other performance affairs.

Temperament

The Bedlington Terrier is naturally lively, and playful. With meticulous training, this breed has become more affectionate and more sociable. Loyal, playful, and headstrong, this breed is gentle with children, and relatively amiable to strangers. They need to be taught to like household animals while they are young. They usually get along with other dogs, although it is advisable to keep them from those authoritative breeds as they tend to fight when challenged.

Overview

The Bedlington Terrier is known to be more placid and less unruly compared to the other terriers. This good-natured and well-mannered breed is skillful in problem solving, and is loyal family companions.

Care

Grooming the Bedlington Terrier can be rather demanding. Their coats should be combed for about five minutes daily, and should be brushed thoroughly at least once a week. This dog needs to be trimmed every two months by a professional groomer as it is an uncommon cut. Owners of Bedlington Terrier may learn how to trim their coats themselves, and should be noted that for show rings, coats should have no more than one inch of hair anywhere on their bodies.

The Bedlington Terrier is known to have hereditary problems, with the most studied to be Copper Toxicosis. But, with DNA testing, carriers and affected dogs may now be identified and removed from breeding programs, although, this is not 100% consistent. Minor concerns would be Distichiasis. An eye disease common in this breed is Imperforate Nasolacrimal Puncta.

Training

The Bedlington Terrier is highly intelligent, making it easy for them to learn commands, but this breed is self-willed and highly hostile, meaning, owners have to teach more instructions and tricks before having a well-trained Bedlington.

Bred to be hunters, the Bedlington Terriers are known to be skilled in digging, and barking. These behaviors may not surface early in life; they'll become a problem as time passes. So, early prevention of these behaviors is advised. For their keen ability to dig, owners can avoid this by giving them outlets for their energy, to take their minds off digging. Early socialization and exposure to people outside their homes makes it easier to combat barking in later life.

Character

The Bedlington Terrier is generally placid if they are given sufficient amount of physical and mental stimulation. They are great with children, and tend to get attached strongly with a family member.