Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in the North East of England, where the terrier was first shown in 1870. 

The Bedlington terrier was originally a working dog, bred for hunting rodents underground, foxes and badgers.

It has been suggested that Bedlington Terriers may have been taken across to Ireland and played a part in the early development of the Kerry Blue Terrier breed. Previous names for Bedlingtons have been Gypsy Dog (because these terriers were originally bred by gypsies for small game hunting) and Rothbury Terrier.

An adult Bedlington (two years old) is about 16-17" tall (to the shoulders) and weighs about 17-23 pounds. This terrier is often described as looking like a lamb because of its wooly textured coat and the shape of its head and ears. Because its coat is non-shedding, Bedlingtons are often kept by people who would normally be allergic to fur, this gives them the reputation of being a non-alergenic dog. Their coats may be sandy, tan, liver or blue, becoming paler as the dog gets older.

The Bedlington Terrier is generally a healthy breed but may be prone to the following health issues: 

• Copper Toxicosis
• Eye Problems
• Kidney Problems
• Thyroid Problems

Temperament

The Bedlingtons lamb-like appearance belie its true character. This terrier is not meek or submissive, in fact the Bedlington terrier can be rather argumentative and stubborn. They are trainable if the trainer appreciates their high intelligence and quick boredom rate. As with all terriers, the Bedlington loves to bark and chase, and this dog can easily dig under or jump over most fences.

Care and Grooming

The Bedlington Terriers coat does not shed, so it requires weekly brushing to remove dead hairs and dirt. A trip to the groomers will be required every 3-4 months to clip the coat into the classic Bedlington shape and to clip the toenails.  

Dogs teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

With plenty of love, care and attention the Bedlington Terrier can live for 14-17 years.