Bedlington terrier puppies and dog, temprament, training and grooming

The Bedlington Terrier is a small terrier that is thought to have originated in the town of Bedlington, Northumberland in England.



It is sometimes also known as the Rothbury Terrier, although this name is not very common today. Bedlington terriers were originally used as hounds, retrievers, and ratters. Surprisingly, it was also used as a fighting dog quite often.

However, it is a fact that the Bedlington Terrier is a lot more confident and feisty than its lamb-like appearance would lead one to believe. The dog typically has a lean, slight build, and wooly fur, and a wedge shaped head. The fur could be gray, sandy, blue, or black.



Some dogs may have tan markings, but these is more common among Bedlington Terrier puppies and usually fade during adulthood. These dogs tend to be energetic and very light on their feet.

In spite of their size and appearance, Bedlington Terriers are strong and tenacious. Working Bedlington Terriers excel in almost every field. Today of course they are more common as pets, and they fit well into this role too, as long as they are given adequate exercise and stimulation. The Bedlington Terrier temperament is calmer than most similar breeds, and is cheerful and well disposed towards people and other dogs. Bedlington Terrier training is usually not particularly difficult. As with any lively, energetic dog, it is important to be patient and to engage the dog sufficiently in the training. Training should be fun, and should ideally be conducted in short, quick sessions.

Bedlington Terrier grooming goes by certain conventions that must be followed if you intend to show your dog. Parts of the fur are kept short, using an electric clipper, while other parts are kept long and are shaped by hand. If the dog is not going to participate in competitions, the owners may choose to keep the fur evenly short. Regardless of the length and style of the fur however, it is necessary to regularly comb the dog's fur in order to keep it in good condition. It is sometimes said that Bedlington Terriers are a "non-shedding" breed, but this is a myth. By its very nature, fur always grows and falls in cycles, and the same is true for these dogs.

Bedlington Terriers have rather long lives compared to other purebred terriers, with the average life span being around 14 years. Unfortunately, this breed is particularly prone to copper toxicosis, which is quite a common cause of premature death.