Bedlington Terrier looks like a stuffed toy, but this dog breed is a game little hunter. In England, the breed was used to kill badgers, foxes, and other vermin. Named for the mining village where the breed was popular, this dog did not reach the public’s attention until the late 1800s when the National Bedlington Terrier Club (England) was formed.
Bedlington Terriers stand 15.5 to 16.5 inches tall and weigh 17 to 25 pounds. They have narrow heads crowned by a topknot of coat, which is lighter in color than the rest of the coat and tapers down the face to just behind the nose. The eyes are small, and the ears are triangular and hang flat. The chest is deep, and the back arches to the hips. The coat has a mixture of both hard and soft hairs and has a tendency to curl. It may be blue, sandy, or liver-colored, with or without tan markings.
The Bedlington Terrier breed can be a challenge to learn to groom, and most pet owners would do well to ask their dog’s breeder to show them how. The topknot on the face must be shaped, and the coat must be trimmed on the body. Show dogs can have no more than 1 inch of coat on the body, although the legs can have a slightly longer coat.
Bedlington Terriers are not as active as many other terriers. A good walk morning and night, with a playtime in between, will keep most of these dogs happy. If allowed to run off leash, they must be in a safe, fenced-in yard. These dogs can be enthusiastic hunters and will chase rabbits, squirrels, or running cats.
Training should begin early so that dog and owner can bond and the Bedlington Terrier can be socialized to other dogs. Training is often a challenge, so the owner should be patient and keep the training structured yet fun. The Bedlington Terrier is a scrappy little dog, yet she enjoys the comforts of home, too. She can be dog-aggressive, especially to dogs of the same sex. She can be good with cats but cannot be trusted not to chase them. Health concerns include copper toxicosis, eye problems, and kidney disease.
6 replies on “Bedlington Terrier”
I just left a question about black spots on my Bedlington Terrier’s back. I forgot to include a photo image of her back.
Did you ever use flea/tick treatment on your dog?
We used one application of first shield provided by Banfield/petsmart health plan and this type of hair showed up 3 months later precisely where the oil was applied. Basically a chemical burn/trauma to the skin and hair folicals causing it to change. Did yours ever self correct over time?? We are waiting and hoping ours will.
My Bedlington Terrier, 5 years old, suddenly has black marks down her back. Would this be a result of aggressive/harsh grooming with an electric razor? I noticed that her spine can easily be felt down her back. She’s seems healthy.
I think it could be since the hair grows in black where the skin has broken for one reason or another. I noticed that when I remove a tick off my Beddie, the hair grows in black. Almost like its a first growth again. So, if your baby was getting skinned by a razor, the same thing would happen. Id get rid of your groomer immediately.
Did you ever get a reply to this question?
My Old English Sheepdog (4 yr old) is developing almost identical symptoms.
The Bedlington Terrier is milder-mannered, less rowdy, and calmer indoors than some terriers, but more athletic than you might imagine if all you’re looking at is the elegant body and lamblike coat.
Agile and graceful, with a lightness of movement and a springy gait, the Bedlington Terrier needs access to a safe area where he can play and dodge and gallop at the breathtaking speeds clearly suggested by his lithe build.
Once outdoors and aroused, he changes from docile couch potato to dauntless explorer.
Bright and clownish with his own family, his reaction to strangers varies from inquisitive to reserved; he needs early socialization so that any caution does not become timidity.
Bedlington Terriers are generally peaceful with other pets, though some can be scrappy with strange dogs. With his terrier heritage, one should expect that running animals will be chased.
Bedlington Terriers can be demanding and stubborn, but do respond well to obedience training that is upbeat and persuasive, preferably with food rewards.
This sensitive breed should not be handled harshly or jerked around, nor does he meekly accept being teased.