The Bedlington Terrier was first bred in 18th century England for a more serious purpose than you might think when you see one. Their job was to “go to ground” and catch vermin, whether it was a fox or a rat. However, the Bedlington Terrier hasn’t been used as a hunting dog for decades. Today, these unique-looking dogs are great family pets – a perfect combination of a cuddly and active dog with the right size to fit either country or city dwellers.
1. Size
The Bedlington Terrier is not a tiny dog but rather a smaller medium dog. Both males and females grow to be from 15 to 17.5 inches tall (38 to 44 cm) and can weigh 17 to 23 pounds (7 to 10 kg).
The Bedlington Terrier is lithe, and with a certain show cut, it looks like a sheep. Their arched loin and pear-shaped head are what set them apart from other dogs. Some people say there is a bit of a Whippet in their blood, which is what gives them a lean shape and is the reason why they are good as sighthounds as well.
2. Color
There are three main coat colors:
- Blue
- Liver
- Sandy
These three colors can have darker pigments, which gives them coat color names liver and tan, blue and tan, and sandy and tan. There are no markings.
Bedlington Terrier puppies have a very dark coat color at birth, which turns light as they mature and get their final color when they are around 1 year old
3. Social Traits
Think about a Bedlington terrier as a dog with an on-off switch. When it’s off, they are cuddly dogs, perfectly happy lounging on the sofa with you in front of the TV. When it’s on, they turn into real terriers! Stubborn, active, and tireless!
The switch theory is, of course, not as black and white, but it serves the purpose of showing these small dogs are not so fragile and submissive. They have a lot of confidence and are naturally outgoing dogs. If well-socialized, Bedlington terriers become friendly dogs that go well with other dogs too. However, they have to be properly introduced to other dogs from an early age.
The Bedlington Terrier needs proper socialization to accept other dogs without problems; the socialization has to continue into adulthood
The same goes for their relationship with children. As long as they are properly introduced to all sounds and moves a child makes when puppies, a Bedlington terrier won’t have problems with children of any age. However, it is very important not to leave a toddler or a baby unsupervised with any dog, regardless of breed and size. And it is equally important to teach a child how to play and behave around a dog.
Good with children: yes with proper socialization
Good with other dogs: yes with proper socialization
Good with small animals: no
They are not very compatible with small animals, once again, because of their original purpose. They were bred to catch vermin, and like any other terrier, they have a high prey drive.
4. Trainability
The Bedlington Terrier is a highly trainable breed. They love to work. It comes from their original purpose, which is still very much present in their DNA. We can’t just erase hundreds of years, so we better use it and focus it on something useful. In this case, obedience training.
But it’s more than that. The Bedlington Terrier dogs are suitable for other types of training, and they can do well in various dog sports, too. Of course, as with all dogs, we need to be patient and consistent during training sessions. Keep it fun and use rewards when they do something well. The reward doesn’t have to be a treat. It can be a toy, nice words, or playtime. On the other hand, if they do something they shouldn’t have, you can give them a “time out” where there are no toys or rewards such as treats.
The problem with a Bedlington Terrier, similar to other terriers, is recall. If they feel the scent of an animal they can chase, it is very hard to call them back. So, if you know there could be “trouble,” keep your dog on a leash.
Trainability: 4 out of 5
Struggle with: Recall
5. Activity Needs
The Bedlington Terrier doesn’t need a lot of exercise every day, but they need their daily walks! It’s not just an on-leash walk around the neighborhood; they need some time to run. If that is not possible, give them a more meaningful walk where they will explore, sniff around, or play some games with them to satisfy their mental and physical needs. Generally speaking, up to 1 hour a day of activities is enough to keep a Bedlington terrier happy.
Activity needs: up to 1 hour (suited for either country or town)
6. Feeding
Generally speaking, an adult Bedlington Terrier needs around 1.5 to 2 cups of kibble a day. The amount should be divided into two meals, one in the morning and the other one in the evening. You have to remember that every dog is unique. Some dogs will need less than the average amount, and some more. If you are having doubts, the best option is to ask a vet. They can examine your dog and determine what suits your dog best! From the type of food to the amount. Another option is to ask a breeder or a shelter you got the dog from or follow the BCS to see if your dog is normal weight, underweight, or overweight.
An adult Bedlington Terrier needs around 1.5 to 2 cups of kibble food a day divided into two meals
7. Grooming
The Bedlington Terriers have a curly and medium coat type. They shed minimally, which makes them ideal pets for those with allergies. Although they don’t shed, they need to be brushed weekly to keep the coat looking its best. Also, their hair grows rather quickly, and they require a trim approximately every two months.
You don’t have to groom your dog for a show. You can give them an overall trim and keep them looking just as adorable. You can see the example of a “show cut” in picture 1, and the regular “home-style cut” in picture 2.
While some owners take their dogs to a professional groomer, you can learn how to groom your dog at home. It takes some time, but it can save you the trip and the money. Apart from brushing, they need an occasional bath and regular nail trimming.
Shedding: Minimal
Brushing: Once a week
8. Possible Problems
Generally speaking, the Bedlington Terrier is a healthy dog breed. The key is to have responsible breeders who will screen-test their dogs and not include dogs who tested positively in their breeding programs.
However, like with any other dog breed, they can have some issues:
- Luxating patella
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Heart problems
- Eye problems
- Copper Toxicosis
Life expectancy: 11 to 16 years
Summary
The Bedlington Terrier is an old dog breed. They might not be the most popular dogs, but they are quite recognizable, especially if they’ve got their special dog show cut. If you are looking for a dog that is of medium to small size with a heart of a terrier and looks closer to a Whippet – the Bedlington terrier is a great choice! These dogs do not need too much daily exercise, and just like sighthounds, they plop on the bed after a walk in the park. They do need thorough socialization to make them more open to other dogs and children. But, they are trainable and quickly learn what to do or not do.
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Cover Photo by Elyssa Albert
