Bedlington Terrier

Quick Take

• This breed started as a coal mine hunter and pit fighter, but somehow became one of the gentlest family dogs around. The transformation is wilder than you'd expect. See the gentle temperament →
• Bedlington Terriers carry a genetic health risk that doesn't show up until a very specific window of their life. Missing that window can be fatal. Learn about Copper Toxicosis →
• Their coat looks low-maintenance, but there's a hidden grooming demand most first-time owners completely underestimate. Explore the grooming demands →
• A Whippet helped shape this breed's DNA, and that ancestry explains a behavioral quirk that could make off-leash time a serious mistake. Understand the prey drive risk →

Bedlington Terriers are compact, yet energetic little dogs. Originating from Bedlington, England, they were originally used in hunting rats, mice, and other small animals in coal mines, factories, and other similar environments. The earliest reference to the Bedlington Terrier is in 1825, when a terrier named Piper was bred and used to hunt badgers. Piper was so tenacious that local workmen became fond of the breed and began using these dogs for pit fighting. Although they were used in pit fighting, their sweet and lovable temperaments soon led them to become beloved family companions.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Bedlington Terrier

Appearance and Disposition

Their hypoallergenic curly coats are reminiscent of sheep’s wool, while their compact, uniquely shaped heads make them distinctive in appearance. Since their designation as a breed, these plucky little terriers have been used in racing, hunting, and other dog sports. This highly intelligent, active, athletic, loving, non-shedding dog is an excellent choice for families with an active lifestyle.

Size and Weight

The Bedlington Terrier is a small, short-haired dog with an average height of 16 to 18 inches for males and 15 to 17 inches for females. Both males and females tend to weigh between 17 and 23 pounds when fully grown. Bedlington Terrier puppies usually weigh around three pounds at the age of two months. Puppies generally reach their adult weight and size at nine months of age.

Common Health Issues

Like every dog breed, Bedlington Terriers have a few health issues that tend to be common within the breed. Many breeders have their breeding stock tested for these conditions. These problems include:

• Copper Toxicosis
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s)

Copper Toxicosis is a genetic disorder (although it can also develop non-genetically) that causes copper to accumulate within the liver and bloodstream. This can lead to the dog experiencing liver failure. This potentially fatal disease usually appears between the ages of two and four.

Bedlington Terriers are also more prone to developing a variety of eye conditions. Among these is Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). This is an inherited condition that leads to blindness. While there is no cure for this condition, it isn’t painful. This means your dog may develop night blindness between three and five years of age and will eventually become fully blind.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is a disorder that causes the dog’s pancreas to develop too few of the digestive enzymes that are used to digest food and absorb nutrients. This leads to the dog losing weight, having skin problems, and having frequent bouts of diarrhea. It is easily treated with dietary supplements.

Hyperadrenocorticism (also called Cushing’s) is a condition that is more likely to be found in Bedlington Terriers than in other dogs. It causes the adrenal glands to malfunction and produce too many steroid hormones. This condition can be treated with medications.

Temperament

Bedlington Terriers are intelligent, plucky little dogs who are also gentle and mild in behavior. While they enjoy getting lots of exercise, they also enjoy hanging out on the couch with their owners. Their gentle personality and active nature make them a good choice for active families who want the best of both worlds when it comes to their dog’s personality. Originally bred in Bedlington, England, in the 1800s, the Bedlington Terrier was used for hunting vermin. It was also used for dog racing and other dog sports.

The Bedlington Terrier is part of the Terrier Group. As such, Bedlington Terriers tend to have the same spunky and independent personality traits as other terriers. While they enjoy being active and are very athletic dogs, their behavior is usually calmer than that of other terriers included in this group.

How to Take Care of a Bedlington Terrier

Potential pet owners searching for how to care for a new dog, especially Bedlington Terrier puppies, will need to consider a variety of factors. Taking care of a Bedlington Terrier, whether a puppy or a rescue, requires consideration of grooming requirements, potential health issues, the dog’s size, a family’s lifestyle, the dog’s temperament, and many other needs.

The Best Dog Food

Just like all dog breeds, Bedlington Terriers have individual dietary needs. Smaller dog breeds need different diets than large dogs do. Energetic breeds also have special needs. To ensure that your Bedlington Terrier lives a healthy life, it needs to have a balanced diet. One way to be sure that this happens is to feed high-quality dog food. Dry dog food is considered to be appropriate for puppies and adult dogs.

Because the breed experiences such a unique set of potential health conditions, discuss your dog’s diet with your vet at regular appointments.

Diet for Bedlington Terrier Puppies: Bedlington Terrier puppies need to be fed four meals a day at first. As the puppy grows older, it will be able to eat just three times a day. The dog food you choose should be specifically formulated for puppies, with plenty of calcium and phosphorus.

Diet for Adult Bedlington Terriers: Adult Bedlington Terriers should be fed just twice a day. If your dog is active and enjoys frequent vigorous exercise, their portions at meals will be larger than if the dog is inactive. Supplements such as glucosamine, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes can also be fed to your dog.

Maintenance and Grooming

While this breed doesn’t shed a lot, Bedlington Terriers have extensive grooming needs. They will need their hair professionally clipped (or you can purchase the tools and learn to do it yourself). In addition to this, they need to be brushed or combed at least twice a week. If you choose to learn how to clip your dog’s hair on your own, you will need to purchase electric clippers and scissors. You will also need to trim your dog’s nails regularly.

Nutrition

The Bedlington Terrier does well on any high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared. Any diet should, however, be appropriate to the age of the dog, such as a puppy, adult, or senior. Some dogs are naturally prone to being overweight, so it’s important to monitor their calorie consumption and weight. Treats are important to aid in training, but giving too many can cause health problems. Check with your vet for any additional information.

Training

Bedlington Terriers are relatively easy to train. They are eager to please and highly intelligent. However, they do tend to get bored easily, so you will need to work at keeping their attention. They can also be somewhat stubborn.

Exercise

Bedlington Terriers are small in size, so they can do well in apartments or smaller living spaces as long as they are given an adequate amount of exercise. These dogs can be pretty energetic, meaning you will need to take them for long walks or runs on a regular basis. Games of fetch are also an excellent way to help the Bedlington Terrier get plenty of exercise. You should always keep your Bedlington Terrier in a fenced-in yard or on a leash while in open spaces. This is because they were bred to hunt small animals and will typically chase one as soon as they spot it.

Bedlington Terrier Puppies

Since Bedlington Terrier puppies are small dogs, you will need to be sure that you are feeding them at least four times a day when they first come home. You will gradually reduce this to three and then two times a day. Other than that, you will need to work on house training, socialization, and basic obedience training for your Bedlington Terrier puppy. Once your puppy is old enough and has gone through obedience training, you may want to get it involved in dog sports such as racing or agility.

Bedlington Terriers and Children

The gentle demeanor of the Bedlington Terrier makes it an ideal family dog for households with children who are gentle and respectful toward the dog and its space. Families with small children may want to wait on getting a Bedlington Terrier until the children are older.

Dogs Similar to Bedlington Terriers

Dogs that are similar to the Bedlington Terrier breed are the Norfolk Terrier, the Airedale Terrier, and the Whippet.

• Norfolk Terrier: Norfolk Terriers are small, plucky, playful, and intelligent. If you’re looking for a watchdog with a lot of energy that can be great with kids, the Norfolk Terrier could be a good choice for you.
• Airedale Terrier: If you’d like a larger version of a terrier breed that is also hypoallergenic, the Airedale Terrier could be right for you. Airedale Terriers are great with kids and rarely shed.
• Whippet: While not a terrier, the Whippet is believed to have been used to develop the Bedlington Terrier breed. Much like Bedlington Terriers, Whippets are relatively laid back and affectionate, and enjoy lots of exercise.

Famous Bedlington Terriers

Actor Boris Karloff owned and raised Bedlington Terriers when he wasn’t working on his films. Additionally, Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rockefeller owned a Bedlington Terrier, Ch. Rock Ridge Night Rocket, who won Best in Show at Westminster in 1948.