Create Your Bedlington Whippet's Shop
Bedlington Whippet Breed Summary
Intelligent, Agile, Energetic, Playful
These dogs are very versatile, and while they have high energy needs and enjoy completing tasks, they are also happy to relax around the home with their owners.
Naturally an energetic breed, they make a great addition to your family home as they are gentle around children, but will wouldn't ever say no to play-time!
Bedlington Whippets are a very smart breed of dog and because of this they like to follow their own intuition. Following directions doesn't come naturally to them, therefore training them can be somewhat challenging. The best advice is to be persistent and patient.
Fun Fact: Bedlington Whippets adore digging, so plenty of outdoor space like a large garden will keep them content. Always remember to keep your garden secure, so they don't get distracted and run off.
| Lifespan | 12 – 15 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 38cm – 41cm |
| Weight | Males and Females 7kg – 10kg |
| Coat | Thick, Double Coat, Fluffy, Soft |
| Colour | Tan, Black, Grey, Brown, White |
| Eye colour | Brown, Black |
| Common health issues | Copper Toxicosis, Eye Conditions, Retinal Dysplasia, Heart and Kidney Disease |
| Other Names | Beddy Whippet |
Naturally a highly intelligent breed, it will probably come as no surprise that these dogs like to be kept busy, otherwise they have been known to show undesirable behaviours when they're bored. Training sessions are a great way to implement good behaviour whilst creating a challenge for them, which they will enjoy.
The Bedlington Whippet will not appreciate being left in their own company, in fact leaving them for long periods will cause them emotional distress and is never advised. If these dogs do not experience enough human contact, they have been known to become aggressive or timid around new people, therefore socialisation should be prioritised.
A confident breed, these dogs will never say no to playtime, making them a pawfect addition to your family home. However, if you do have any other smaller pets just be wary these dogs may treat them like prey so they should never be left unsupervised.
Although they do not have a short attention span, they can become easily distracted by the slightest thing and tend to chase. Keeping them on a lead during training is a good idea. These dogs will appreciate being rewarded as this will motivate them to focus, rather than harsh punishments for making mistakes.
Whippets are one half of the Bedlington Whippets heritage, they first originated from England during the mid-19th century, where they were initially bred as working dogs as they were excellent at chasing rabbits.
Similarly, the Bedlington Terrier also originated in England specifically from a small village near Rothbury, which is why they are sometimes referred to as the Rothbury Terrier. It is believed that the Bedlington Terrier has been around since the 1780s, with some sources tracing the breed back to this era.
These dogs were initially bred as working dogs and were used to hunt, however since then have also been using as sporting dogs as they have always performed well in agility competitions. This explains why the Bedlington Whippet inherits a similar competitive and agile temperament.
Nowadays, the breed is solely bred for companionship. Unfortunately, they are still not recognised by any kennel club; however, specialised dog events are held which allow Lurchers to participate in. The dogs can compete in various agility tests and races.
Currently, Bedlington Whippets are more commonly recognised across the UK and Ireland, their pawpularity has not yet spread to the US.