The Bedlington Terrier dog breed might look sweet and innocent, but the real reason behind its origin will shock you. These dogs were known to be the hunter’s sidekick and vermin killer. They perform well in the show ring. Their sense of smell, amazing hunting instincts, and curiosity is still alive, but they are seldom used in the fields. Keep reading to learn more about this amazing breed.
| Breed Name | Bedlington Terrier |
| Other Name | Rothbury Terriers |
| Dog Breed Type | Terrier Dogs |
| Origin | Rothbury, Bedlington |
| Parent Breeds | Otterhound, Dandie Dinmont terrier |
| Height | 15-16 inches |
| Weight | 17-23 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 14-16 years |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Common Colors | White, Blue, Liver, Tan, Sandy |
| Grooming Needs | High |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Temperament | Loyal, Blithe, Friendly, Playful, Loving |
| Apartment Living | Suitable for apartment living |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes |
| Health Concerns | Copper toxicosis, Total retinal dysplasia, Various eye conditions, Ear problems |
| Overall Health | Healthy |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Energy Level | High |
| Activity | Active |
| Litter Size | 3-6 puppies |
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability 4 stars
Adaptive to apartment life 4 stars
Suitable for new owners 4 stars
Sensitivity scale 3 stars
Comfortable being alone 3 stars
Comfortable with cold weather 4 stars
Comfortable with hot weather 3 stars
All about friendliness 5 stars
Lovable with family 5 stars
Kid-friendly 4 stars
Dog-friendly 4 stars
Frank with strangers 5 stars
Grooming and Health Requirements 3 stars
Shedding Quantity 5 stars
Drooling capacity 1 star
Effortless to groom 1 star
Overall health 4 stars
Capable of weight gain 3 stars
Size 3 stars
Trainability 4 stars
Effortless to train 3 stars
Smartness 5 stars
Capable of biting 4 stars
Tendency to attack prey 5 stars
Urge to howl or bark 3 stars
Wanderlust personality 4 stars
Physical Requirements 4 stars
Energy scale 4 stars
Intensity 2 stars
Exercise Requirements 4 stars
Playful nature 5 stars
Vital Statistics
DOG BREED GROUP: TERRIER DOGS
HEIGHT: 15-16 INCHES
WEIGHT: 17-23 POUNDS
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 14-16 YEARS
Highlights
The lamb-like appearance of the Bedlington Terrier might grab your attention, but its amusing personality will make you fall in love with it. Don’t go on; its looks as if it is innocent. This breed was known to be the hunter’s sidekick and still has the traits present. These dogs love attention and can do anything to get it. To keep this breed healthy, exercise is crucial. They can level their energy levels with yours and will be happy to do anything with you.
With children around the house, the Bedlington Terrier will become super excited and energetic. This breed’s high intelligence levels make it an easy job to train them. These dogs may never start a fight, but if they get involved in one, they will not be the first ones to back out.
History
Anyone can guess where the Bedlington Terrier comes from just by looking at their name. They came from Bedlington, a town in the North of England. They got named after this town. Local squires were fans of this breed because of its talent for killing vermins. Lorth Ruthbury was one of their fans. His estate was in the country of Northumberland, Bedlington town. Earlier, these dogs were known as Rothbury Terriers, but later, the name Bedlington Terriers was given.
The first dog that was given this name was Ainsley’s Piper in 1825, which was owned by a man named Joseph Ainsley in Bedlington. This dog was just eight months old when his first fight against a badger began. Even when he got old, nearly blind, and toothless, he was teaching other dogs how it’s done.
The breed is said to have similar characteristics to the Soft Coated Wheaten, Dandie Dinmont, and Kerry Blue Terriers, so their ancestors might be common. Mine and factory workers’ favorite dogs were the Bedlington Terriers. They used them to get rid of rats in their area and race against each other.
Size
The Bedlington Terrier is small to medium in size. They can grow tall between 15-16 inches.
Personality
The Bedlington Terrier makes an excellent watchdog and companion as it is alert, intelligent, and energetic. This dog loves attention and will entertain its owner to get it. Their hunting instincts can make them aggressive toward other animals, especially dogs and small animals. These are highly intelligent dogs, so training them becomes an easy job to do. However, while training them, try to be friendly instead of dominant. They want to be involved in the thought process and don’t like to follow orders. Positive reinforcement techniques like praise and food rewards can keep them happy.
They love to display their speed and energy and love activities that let them do so. They will do everything their owner does, even if the owner is a couch potato, and they will become one too. They are welcoming to strangers, but if they sense something suspicious, they will not step back.
Health
Generally, the Bedlington Terrier is a healthy breed and lives a long life of 14-16 years. They might face some health issues during their lifetime.
- Patellar Luxation
- Renal Cortical Hypoplasia
- Copper Toxicosis
- Retinal Dysplasia
- Distichiasis
Care
Tartar buildup can easily occur inside the Bedlington Terrier’s teeth. To avoid that, you need to brush his teeth twice or thrice a week. Daily brushing is also a good option if you don’t want your dog to have bad breath. Nail trimming can be done one or two times a month. The best time to trim their nails is when you hear a clicking sound whenever they walk or run. Keep checking and cleaning their ears to avoid any bacterial buildup. Take your dog to the vet also for routine health checkups.
Feeding and Diet
The Bedlington Terrier should be given two meals a day and 1 to 1.5 cups of dog food. Just like humans, each dog has unique dietary requirements, so this amount might vary for your dog. It’s best to ask your vet about your dog’s dietary needs and draw a unique diet chart for him. An active dog has high diet needs than a lazy one. So discuss it with your vet and give your dog the best diet to keep it healthy.
Coat Color and Grooming
The Bedlington Terrier’s coat gives a resemblance to a lamb and a poodle. The fur is harsh as well as soft. The hair will curl mostly around the face and the head. People think of Bedlington Terrier as white, but its coat can have blue, tan, liver, and sandy colors too. You can see these color combos too. The color shades will be dark as a puppy but gradually lighten as they grow. There’s no need to strip this breed’s coat. It needs weekly brushing. It can be a little hard to groom them, so take them to a professional groomer for the best look.
Children and Other Pets
The Bedlington Terrier tends to get excited in a house full of children. He thinks of kids as their siblings and will play with them all day. You still need to supervise their playing because this breed doesn’t differentiate between them and the kids. They think that the kids are tough, just like them. Training them on how to behave with kids will keep everyone safe. Despite their natural hunting instincts, they bond well with other pets. Proper socialization from a young age will help to maintain this bonding.
Shedding
Bedlington Terriers don’t shed a lot, so there’s less work for you. You still need to brush and groom them to maintain them.
Male vs. Female Attitude
The Bedlington Terriers were used to kill vermin regardless of their gender. So both males and females of this breed will have the same characteristics and attitudes. Some traits might differ even in the same gender group. The only difference you’ll be able to notice is that males can grow 16 inches tall while females can grow 15 inches tall.
Exercise
The Bedlington Terriers have medium activity and energy levels. They love to show how fast they are, and you’ll probably lose them in a game of race. So it’s better to have a fenced yard while exercising with them. This breed is not suited for outdoor exercises. Train them inside in a safe area, and you’re good to go. Jogging, hiking, or any exercise you want to do with them is great. Whenever you train your dog, let him think it’s his idea to get exercise or do any activity that’ll keep him encouraged throughout the session. Also, don’t be harsh to a Bedlington Terrier while exercising, as their stubbornness can kick in then it’ll be hard to control them.
Little known facts
The Bedlington Terriers are known to be great swimmers. However, not all of them might love water. Also, this breed loves digging.
FAQ on breed
- Where do the Bedlington Terrier dog breeds come from?
Bedlington
- What is the best diet routine for a Bedlington Terrier dog?
Give 1.5 to 2 cups of dog food a day.
- How much exercise is required for a Bedlington Terrier?
Jogging, Long walks