The Bedlington Terrier Shop
Bedlington Terrier Breed Summary
Affectionate, Intelligent, Well-tempered, Happy and Loyal
These dogs are often described as looking 'lamb-like' in nature, though they are more well-known for making excellent companions and shining in the show ring! They are one of the oldest pedigree terriers in the world and are a popular choice for family pets.
Bedlington Terriers love to be outside and always need to have a job to do, which makes sense seeing as they were bred to be highly skilled hunters! They are however highly adaptable and are more than happy to live in a variety of places.
| Kennel Club Group | Terrier |
| Lifespan | 12 - 14 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 15 - 17.5in |
| Weight | Males and Females 17 - 23lb |
| Coat | Linty and Thick, standing well off from the dog's body |
| Color | Blue, Blue & Tan, Liver, Liver & Tan, Sandy, Sandy & Tan |
| Eye color | Darker and Lighter Colored Eyes, in Amber or Light Hazel. |
| Common health issues | Copper toxicosis, Cushing's disease, Reproductive issues, Heart murmur, Retinal Dysplasia, Entropion (Eyelids Folding Inwards), Distichiasis, Blocked Tear Ducts, Dry Eye, Primary lens luxation (PLL), Hyperkeratosis |
| Other Names | Rothbury Terrier, Rodbery Terrier, Rothbury's Lamb |
These dogs love to be the center of their 'hoomans' world and make fantastic companions. That said, they do not get on well with other animals, particularly dogs of the opposite sex and will often chase after small mammals as well. So, if you have rabbits or hamsters, these dogs may be a bit of a no-no. They are very energetic and will need plenty of walkies throughout the day as well as other physical activities that they can join in with. For this reason, they may suit a more active family. Their temperaments do vary from puppy to puppy, depending on how they have been brought up. The ones with better temperaments will be playful and approach you, whereas others may sit in the corner or bully their siblings. With the correct amount of socialization and training, they do make fantastic pets!
The origins of the Bedlington Terrier are a mystery to all but it has been theorized that they were initially used to poach game on the estates they passed whilst travelling. News spread quickly on the breeds talented ability to kill vermin and they gained popularity with local landowners, who acquired them for themselves. At this stage, they didn't have a breed name, and it wasn't until 1825, when Joseph Ainsley of Bedlington obtained one, that the name stuck! It's also thought that these dogs may have been crossed with Whippets at this time in order to increase their speed.