Bedlington Terrier

Introducing a breed that is not just famous in dog shows but now holds a special place in every dog enthusiast’s heart—the Bedlington Terrier. 

If you want to bring this energy ball to your apartment, you must be filled with thousands of questions about their personality and everyday needs. So worry not! In this minute read you will find answers to all your questions!

Overview

Origin of the Bedlington Terrier

It all started in the 19th century when various terrier breeds like Dandie Dinmont terrier, Whippet, Otterhounds, and others were crossed. After breeding for years, an excellent hunting dog and sports dog—Bedlington Terriers, came into existence in Bedlington town, England. 

The Bedlington Terrier dog breed spent their early years hunting small games like rabbits, hares, and rats. Not only this, they were so versatile with their skills that people even made them a part of sports games like dog racing. 

Their lamb-like appearance was an intentional move by the breeders to add more character to Bedlington Terriers. Their skills and passion did not limit them to sports games, but the breed presented itself at many dog shows. Soon, they became a symbol of charm and sharpness. The dog enthusiasts did not leave any chance to make this dog breed a part of their family and pet the Bedlington Terrier dog breed.

Appearance of the Bedlington Terrier

These family dogs are well suited for apartment living. It has a lot to do with their size and appearance. Here are the details about the appearance of Bedlington Terriers. 

1. Size

Bedlington terriers are generally easy to fit in a human arm. These dogs are small-sized dog breeds, which is an excellent factor if you love tiny dogs who hop around the house. Their height lands somewhere between 15-18 inches, while they weigh about 17-23 pounds. But hey! They might be small but can easily scare away and intimidate other breeds with their sharp looks. 

2. Coat

One of the most distinctive features of Bedlington Terriers is their curly and coiled fur coat. It is wirey and harsh to touch, but it protects these dogs. It prevents them from being hurt by the bushes or animals while they are in the wild to hunt. As for the colors, the fur coat comes in multiple shades like- white, grey, or blue. Many also have liver or tanned color patches that add more grace to their appearance. 

3. Body type

If we were to stand Bedlington terriers with other dog breeds, the identification mark would be their body type. They have a very different head shape, often compared to a lamb. They have a pear-shaped head, which looks graceful if appropriately groomed. They have a beautiful arched back and a pointed muzzle. 

4. Other features

There are more special features of the Bedlington Terrier dog breed:

• They have hanging ears that also have hair on them. 
• They look like they are covered in cotton, as their fur looks light and airy.
• They have a skinny and pointy tail.

Personality and Temperament

Every dog has its own temperament and personality traits that set them apart from other dog breeds. Similarly, the Bedlington Terrier dog breed has a set of distinctive personality traits that you should know before adopting them:

1. Affectionate

The Bedlington Terrier dog breed is known for its affectionate and loving nature. They can build emotional bonds with human families, especially children. This is one of their personality traits that is admirable to the dog enthusiasts. Bedlington terriers are excellent family dogs and love the companionship of family groups. 

2. Intelligent

This breed is good-looking and can be simply adopted for its charismatic appearance. However, limiting Bedlington Terrier to just their appearance will be a mistake. They are the perfect example of beauty with brains. With their rich evolutionary history of being sports dogs, the Bedlington Terrier dog breed is intelligent and witty. They carry a lot of confidence when they walk and can intimidate anyone with their skills and decisiveness.

3. Hooman-pleasers

Another trait about the Bedlington Terrier dog breed is that they are hooman pleasers. Not always, but they love doing things that make their owner proud of them. This is one of the reasons why, if taught well, Bedlington Terriers can be an excellent breed to train. Their pleasing personality makes them more obedient than other breeds. Thus, these terriers do not respond well to harsh training methods. 

4. Energetic

If you want an energetic breed that does not become a couch potato over time, you should consider adopting the Bedlington Terrier dog breed. They are active and can light up a room with their charismatic personality. When playing with children, these dogs will never miss the opportunity! Also, you must direct their energy in the right direction. It is because- if not, they might release it through barking or showing unwanted behavior. 

5. Bark a lot

Talking of the Behavioral problems in dogs, the Bedlington Terrier dog breed has an annoying habit of barking..a lot. You may see them barking at every other dog or stranger. It does not necessarily mean they are showing dominance or aggression, but they may be barking to say, “Hello!”. 

If you have an ick with dog barking, you may want to consider a dog known for its “barkless” trait- Basenji. 

6. Stubborn…at times

Even though these dogs are hooman pleasers, there can be times when they show tantrums. Especially if they are not in the mood to be trained and want to chew on their toys, you will need to use the proper obedience techniques. Being harsh on them or beating them will only make dogs depressed and underconfident- so you must find the appropriate training ways to motivate Bedlington Terriers.

Grooming Needs of the Bedlington Terrier

The best part about grooming a Bedlington Terrier is that the coat does not shed. You would know the mess loose hair sheds can create if you are a dog enthusiast. Fortunately, that is not the case with Bedlington Terriers. However, maintaining their coat’s health is essential because of their heavily coiled fur coat. 

We all want our dogs to look the best, and when it comes to the Bedlington Terrier dog breed- their appearance and physical health play a huge role. 

1. Brushing

Even though there is no loose hair or excessive shed, brushing the coat is essential. Brushing your dog’s coat daily or at least 4 to 5 times a week would be best. It is crucial because curly hair can easily get tangled and cause matting. We recommend having dog supplies like a slicker brush or a fine-combed tooth for their grooming. This will prevent matting and maintain the coat’s overall appearance. 

2. Bathing

Unlike some dogs who can live with bathing once every two months, the Bedlington Terrier dog breed requires monthly bathing sessions. As their coat is light-colored, it can easily get dirty and may even trap a lot of sweat and dirt in the coiled coat. Hence, bathing them with a dog-friendly shampoo, conditioner, and soap is essential. 

3. Trimming

As your Bedlington Terrier grows up, so will their coat. Too long, curly hair over their eyes or paws can annoy them. This is why you should get them trimmed regularly (every 5-7 weeks) by a professional or at home. We do not recommend shaving the fur coat, as the hair is there for a reason. Shaving can cause skin irritation and infections in dogs. 

4. Cleaning

Dogs can get eye boogers or ear infections from the dirt and debris build-up. As a responsible dog parent, you should always clean the Bedlington Terrier’s eyes, ears, and paws. This will prevent them from getting any skin infections or wounds. Also, fleas and ticks can be a concern for Bedlington Terriers due to their thick fur coat. Hence, you should use the right supplies and medications to prevent it. 

Exercise and Training Needs

One of the best parts about the Bedlington Terrier dog breed is that they do not require a rigorous training routine. This quality makes them perfect for first-time owners as well. You only need to provide them 30 minutes to 1 hour of training every day. You can keep the exercises light and more focused on mental stimulation instead of muscle-oriented activities. Training every day will help to keep them active, as zero body movements can lead to behavioral problems in dogs. 

Apart from teaching Bedlington Terriers basic obedience and commands, here are the everyday training essentials:

1. Daily walks and leash training

You must take the Bedlington Terrier dog breed on walks for at least 15-20 minutes daily. For the Bedlington Terrier puppy, you can start with a 5-10 minute walk and rest playtime. A grown Bedlington Terrier can walk up to 20 minutes or more daily. At this point, you can also give them leash training. These innocent pups can easily get lost or escape, so it’s essential to leash them when outdoors. 

Moreover, during walks, you use reward techniques or positive reinforcement to teach them to follow the instructions and commands. Guiding with a slight pressure on the leash will help Bedlington Terriers navigate their way. 

2. Playtime

Another training essential for the Bedlington Terrier dog breed is playtime. They thrive on playing interactive games with children or owners. You can indulge them in mentally stimulating games like- hide and seek, scent-track-hunt, or interactive puzzles. Such games will challenge your dog’s creativity and independent thinking.

3. Agility training

Last but not least, you can enroll these little buddies in agility training. You don’t have to train them with rigorous exercise or make them do the heavy lifting- but fun games to keep Bedling Terriers active. For this, you must have access to open space for dogs. It includes interactive games like jumping, running through the tunnels, passing through the ropes, etc. Rest, with proper nutrition, grooming, and training, the Bedlington Terrier dog breed can live a healthy and long life. 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we can say that Bedlington Terriers are an excellent dog breed for first-time owners. From their friendly temperament to their basic training needs- everything fits very well with an inexperienced dog owner. Although their high-maintenance grooming can make you go crazy at times, their training needs are manageable. To motivate them better for training, you can socialize them early with strangers or other pets. 

Frequently Asked Questions