Bedlington Terrier

Country of origin

This unique-looking dog originated from a mining shire in England called Bedlington, bred to hunt rats inside the mines. Previously known as the Rothbury terrier (named after the district of Rothbury), they were once used as well by gypsies to hunt small animals like foxes, badgers and rabbits. Despite their small size, these dogs are quite feisty and were used to fight underground in pits in the mines, and were pretty agile that they were also used for racing. The Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in the 1870’s.

Size

The Bedlington Terrier is usually 15 to 17 inches high and 8 to 10 kilograms in weight. They are very lamb-like in appearance and quite similar to the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Otterhound. They have a double coat, pear-shaped heads, low set ears, low tails, long back legs that causes them to have arched backs, and topknots (fur that gives them their unique look) on top of their heads.

Coat

Bedlington Terriers have both soft and rough hair that curls as it grows. They are usually white, liver, tan or blue. Their coats don’t need to be stripped, but requires regular brushing for maintainance.

Character

This breed is very energetic and playful and is a good choice for families with children, as they can also be gentle and sweet. You must remember to supervise all play though, as these dogs can only tolerate up to a certain extent. They are pretty fesity though when it comes to other dogs, and are not recommended for people with multiple pets, as they are very prone to getting into fights, especially with dominant dogs and dogs of the same gender. Their stubborn nature is also not good for this, because they tend to not back down when engaged in scuffles.

Temperament

These brave dogs are fond of barking, making them good guard dogs when it comes to alarming their owners of anyone’s arrival. They also love to run, and must be trained proper name recall in the unfortunate case that they break free from you. These dogs need to be exercised regularly as they have high levels of energy that can turn into frustration and destruction if not addressed.

Care

The Bedlington Terrier is ideal for those who want a dog with fur that undergoes minimal shedding. They need to be clipped and brushed regularly, though, to keep their fur in pristine condition. These dogs do not do well outdoors as they are very efficient escape artists. They can live in apartments (mostly due to their size) as long as they are exercised both physically and mentally everyday.

Training

These dogs are intelligent but not that easy to train because of their stubborn nature. Positive reinforcement would help persuade them though, because reward-based training will show them that they will get something in return of them following your commands.

Activity

Bedlington Terriers will be very happy with a daily jog, regular training, and play. They would be perfect to compete in dog sports such as Agility and fly ball as they have excellent speed.