Our Bedlington Terrier dog breed information profile includes characteristics, traits, Bedlington Terrier personality and temperament, lifespan, suitability for children, exercise needs, training, health problems and much more. Enjoy our Bedlington Terrier pictures gallery, and send in your own cute Bedlington Terrier puppy photos!

Meet the Bedlington Terrier Dog Breed

Often mistaken for a little lamb on a leash, the Bedlington Terrier is a beautiful and graceful little dog, with an often misleading gentle appearance. While he can make a wonderful pet for the right person, don’t be misled – this lamb on a leash is a terrier through and through!

Bedlington Terrier Facts | Bedlington Terrier History | Bedlington Terrier Appearance
Bedlington Terrier Temperament | Bedlington Terrier Exercise Needs
Bedlington Terrier Grooming Needs
Bedlington Terrier Training | Bedlington Terrier Health Issues
Is the Bedlington Terrier Dog Breed the Right Choice for You?

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Bedlington Terrier History

No one can say for sure, just where the Bedlington Terrier first came from. Originally considered to be a gypsy dog, it said that he was originally used to poach game on the gentry’s estates. However, in 1820, a man by the name of Joseph Ainsley acquired one of these unique terriers and, in 1825, produced the first documented Bedlington Terrier. He would soon grow in popularity, particularly around the mining town of Bedlington, hence his name. There, he would earn his keep killing rats and badgers, for both work and sport. By 1877, he would have his own breed club, the National Bedlington Terrier Club and, as they say, the rest is history.

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Bedlington Terrier Appearance

Commonly described as lamb-like in appearance, the Bedlington Terrier has his own exotic look. Featuring a lean and yet muscular build, he is a game terrier that is quite capable of taking on an ill-tempered badger. For this reason, the Bedlington Terrier has to be very strong, fast, and agile – and this is well-represented in his body style, particularly the unique V-shaped forequarters and Whippet-like tucked up flanks. The Bedlington Terrier is built to move and, with a high activity level, he’s not one to dissapoint, always ready for something.

The Bedlington Terrier stands anywhere from 15 to 17.5 inches tall at the withers and can weigh between 17 to 23 pounds. Bedlington Terrier puppies come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from blue to liver, sand, or black and sable. The Bedlington can come in either solid colors or and tan shades.

Bedlington Terrier Temperament and Personality

While considerably calmer than many other terrier breeds, the Bedlington Terrier is still a force to be reckoned with. Highly intelligent, these unique little dogs often test boundaries and require a consistent and steady home life to prevent the rise of unruly terriers.

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Bedlington Terrier Exercise Needs

Bedlington Terrier puppies are extremely high energy dogs and are certainly not for the person who wants a quiet lap dog. Before you rush out to purchase one of those cute little dogs, be sure that you have a life style that is well suited for them. Also be sure that you’re not adverse to taking several walks per day or finding other means to entertain your terrier.

Grooming Bedlington Terriers

Grooming your Bedlington Terrier will require you to set aside some time each week. During this time, you’ll carefully brush his coat with a wire slicker brush or metal comb. Bedlington terriers also need to be clipped every 4 to 6 weeks in order to maintain their unique lamb-like appearance. It’s highly advisable, prior to taking your dog to the groomers, to ensure that they know how to properly clip the Bedlington terrier – perfecting the unique cut of the Bedlington Terrier puppy can take years of practice.

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Training Bedlington Terriers

Training your Bedlington Terrier takes time, patience and consistency. Highly intelligent, these unique little dogs react very well to clicker training, coupled with praise and positive reinforcement. The more negativity that the Bedlington Terrier puppy faces, the more stubborn and belligerent he may become. To keep him interested and excited about training, limit training sessions to short and fun lessons, rather than allowing him to become frustrated or distracted.

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Bedlington Terrier Health Concerns

All in all, the Bedlington Terrier is a very strong and hardy breed, with relatively few health concerns. Of special interest, however, is a condition known as Copper Toxicosis or Copper Storage Disease, where the liver accumulates a buildup of copper, which can lead to liver failure and death. Anyone purchasing a Bedlington Terrier dog or puppy should ask for proof that their dog has been genetically tested and is free from this condition.

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Is a Bedlington Terrier Right For Me?

The Bedlington terrier is an amazing little dog, and an ideal companion for those were familiar with terrier breeds. However, they may not be the dog for everyone – terriers can be notoriously difficult for the novice dog owner and do require a great deal of work. They are high energy dogs with a penchant for mischief, and they also require a great deal of attention from their human families.

If you don’t require a high maintenance breed, aren’t afraid of weekly grooming sessions, and don’t mind regular trips to the doggie salon, the Bedlington terrier may be the perfect dog for you!

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