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Origin: England
Height: 15-17.5 inches at
the shoulder
Weight: 17-23 pounds
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Grooming Needs: High
Life Expectancy: 15-17
years
Good With Kids: No
Trainability: Medium
Difficulty
Common Misspellings:
Alternate Names: Rothbury Lamb, Rothbury Terrier
While the true origins of this unique little
terrier remain uncertain, it is believed that he
shares a common ancestry with other local dogs,
such as the Dandie Dinmont, the Kerry Blue
Terrier, and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
Also interesting to note is the dog’s arched
back, which may also hint that the Whippet
bloodline might have also been introduced,
making this formidable little terrier even more
fast on his feet. First notice of this unique
little dog seemed to have come about when they
were spotted in the company of gypsies, where he
was used to poach game from the lands of various
gentry. Lord Rothbury took an interest in these
unique little terriers and they would soon come
to be known as the Rothbury Terrier because of
this. Occasionally, he would also be called the
Rothbury Lamb, for the breed’s unique lamb-like
appearance.
Joseph Ainsley, also of Belington, owned the
first dog to ever be called a Bedlington
Terrier. In 1820, he obtained a female (Coates
Phoebe) which he later bred to produce the very
first Bedlington Terrier in 1825. Named
Ainsley’s Piper, this phenomenal little dog is
said to have started hunting at the age of 8
months and continued to do so, well into his old
age. Skilled at ferreting out rats and vermin,
as well as hunting ferocious badgers, the
Bedlington Terrier quickly gained recognition as
an incredible hunting dog and was a favorite of
many squires of the day. By 1877, the National
Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in England -
the rest, as they say, is history.
Most Bedlington Terrier owners have heard it
at one point or another - that their carefully
coiffed canine resembles one of Little Bo Peep’s
followers. Originally known as the Rothbury
Lamb, these wonderful little dogs have been
likened to sheep for centuries, though he seems
to take no insult from this comparison.
Well-balanced and sturdily structured, these
lithe and graceful dogs have changed little
since their breed standard was first written up.
Fans of this wooly hunting dog are quick to say
that one doesn’t mess with perfection.
Standing a graceful 15-17.5 inches, the
average Bedlington Terrier weighs between 17-23
pounds and is known for his uniquely light and
airy gait. Best described as a ‘springy’ motion,
dogs that move with an over exaggerated or
hackneyed gait are greatly frowned upon. He can
be found in several colors and patterns; blue,
liver, sandy, blue and tan, liver and tan, and
sandy and tan. In all cases, the topknots on all
adult dogs should be lighter in color than the
dog’s body. All Bedlington Terriers are clipped
so that their hair in no more than 1 inch in
length on the body, with the topknot, legs and
ear tassels being only slightly longer.
The Bedlington Terrier was the perfect mix
for the gypsies of old: a loyal companion, he
was content to lay at his master's feet and
calmly watch the world pass by, or he would
happily play with the children when this was
expected of him. When set loose to hunt,
the Bedlington Terrier was a ferocious dog of
amazing courage and tenacity, capable of
fighting especially vicious game such as the
otter and badger. The same may be said for
modern-day Bedlingtons and it is this mercurial
disposition that endears this fine dog to so
many. Fans of the breed will often say
that the Bedlington Terrier is the perfect
example a terrier dog, through and through.
The Bedlington Terrier puppy is full of
boisterous energy and, chances are, he will
retain this even into adulthood.
Quick-witted and curious, they can tend to get
themselves into trouble, if not properly
supervised, and their speed is incredible - do
not let a Bedlington Terrier off his leash
unless he is in a supervised and enclosed area,
such as the dog park. For most, it's
advised that his exercise be given through a
couple of long daily walks or a couple of
rousing games of fetch.
Unlike many other breeds, the Bedlington
Terrier does not shed and is often well-suited
for people who are allergic to dogs (always
check, however, before adopting!). While
they do not require a weekly combing, they do
enjoy being primped up properly on occasion.
A wire brush will help to keep their coat
properly fluffed. Bedlington Terriers
should be taken in and professionally groomed
every 2-3 months, in order to keep them looking
their best. In-between visits, be sure to
check his ears to ensure they do not show signs
of excessive dirt, and be sure to keep his
toenails clipped - not only for your comfort,
but for his as well.
The Bedlington Terrier is a wonderful little
companion dog though, be forewarned that he can
sometimes be a handle to train. Incredibly
quick-witted and busy, these little terriers are
always curious about smells and noises, which
can make things difficult.
Providing your Bedlington Terrier a
distraction-free training program is very
helpful and will assist in keeping his attention
focused on you. Also use lots of praise
and positive reinforcement, rather than
punishment - the Bedlington Terrier loves a fuss
to be made over him and strives to please his
humans. Challenge him with new experiences
often and keep him wanting to learn more - if
you can accomplish that, you'll find the
Bedlington Terrier puppy to be a very quick and
eager pupil.
Like any breed of dog, the Bedlington Terrier
is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your
best bet is, when deciding to choose a new
Bedlington Terrier puppy, check around with
several breeders and ask about the various
health issues that can affect these beautiful
little dogs. A reputable breeder should be
well-versed in the health concerns and should be
able to give you more details, as well as
showing you the sire and dam of your potential
puppy. Some of the health problems that can
affect Bedlington Terriers include:
- Copper toxicosis / Copper Storage
Disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Cataracts
While a very lovable and engaging little dog,
the Bedlington Terrier is not for everyone.
Make no mistake - no two Bedlington Terriers are
alike, though many will tell you that this breed
can be a handful, despite their calm and
lamb-like appearance. Some Bedlington
Terriers are so fierce that they can get into
fights with other dogs and will fight to the
death. Interactions with other dogs and
pets should always be carefully supervised.
There is also a high incidence of this breed
growling and snapping, particularly if punished.
For this reason, we do not recommend these dogs
for a household with very small children.
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There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn
more about the Bedlington Terrier dog breed. We've compiled a list
of Bedlington Terrier information sites to assist you in quickly
locating quality information about the Bedlington Terrier dog breed,
while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor
attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general.
If you know of a Bedlington Terrier information site that offers
unique, quality information and photos of the Bedlington Terrier
breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so
that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.
Bedlington Terriers are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking
at Bedlington Terrier pictures, you can usually gain more insight
into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can
help you decide if you really want to become a Bedlington Terrier
owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Bedlington
Terrier dogs, Bedlington Terrier puppy photos, funny Bedlington
Terrier photos and more. Enjoy!
 Now
that you have decided that the Bedlington Terrier is the right breed
for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible
Bedlington Terrier breeder from which to buy a healthy,
well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good
breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first
Bedlington Terrier puppy you find at the cheapest price available!
To buy a puppy from a responsible Bedlington Terrier breeder, you
may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and
waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a
newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely
also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache,
since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with
health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care,
plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even
euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring
Bedlington Terrier breeder who home-raises their puppies with love,
screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health
guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the
Bedlington Terrier breed and is in it for the love of the breed,
rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a
healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that
will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter
and companionship.
Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These
sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders
listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Bedlington
Terrier puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many
sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for
puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear
of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the
breeders whom they allow to advertise.
We Highly Recommend:
Bedlington Terrier clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn
even more about the Bedlington Terrier dog breed, help you locate a
responsible Bedlington Terrier breeder, or help you find a
Bedlington Terrier dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a
loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of
Bedlington Terrier clubs and Bedlington Terrier rescues web sites
for your convenience:
Choosing a name for your Bedlington Terrier puppy can be a
daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can
take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for
your Bedlington Terrier. Usually, it's best to get to know your
puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will
help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a
sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to
one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new
Bedlington Terrier puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at
least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There
are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some
are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately,
are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in
on visitor hits for this popular subject.
We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name
for your new Bedlington Terrier puppy. These sites offer inventive,
unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped
thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for
their new baby!
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