Bedlington Terrier
A graceful, lamb-like terrier from northern England that is gentle at home and surprisingly fast when it chooses to run.
At a glance
- Size
- Small
- Height at the withers
- Males 40–44 cm · Females 37–41 cm
- Weight
- 8–10.5 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 45–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Curly, medium
- Colours
- Blue, Liver, Wheaten, Tan
- Bred for
- Terrier work, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 3, no. 9 · Terriers
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 1/5 – Very low |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a low-shedding, medium-small dog
- like a calm house dog that can also run
- can provide regular professional grooming
Think twice if you …
- have cats or small pets the dog didn't grow up with
- can't offer safe off-lead space
- want a low-maintenance coat
Care
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate and usually calm indoors, with a playful and determined side outdoors. It is good with people but may chase small animals.
Exercise
Daily walks plus chances for a safe sprint in an enclosed area suit it well. It enjoys lure coursing, agility and play.
Grooming
The soft, linty coat hardly sheds but needs combing every few days and clipping by a groomer every six to eight weeks.
Training
Sensitive and responds best to gentle, positive training. Recall around wildlife needs ongoing work.
Health
Copper toxicosis, a liver condition, is the best known inherited problem and can be tested for by DNA, and some eye conditions also occur. Ask the breeder for DNA and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- Copper toxicosis (COMMD1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Bedlington comes from the mining district around Bedlington in Northumberland, where it was used to catch rats, rabbits and other small game. Its arched back and long legs, likely from some sighthound ancestry, give it real speed and agility.
At home it is generally quiet, affectionate and fond of comfort, which surprises people who expect a busy terrier. Outdoors the hunting instinct returns quickly, so secure fencing and careful recall training are important. Its distinctive coat sheds very little but needs regular clipping to keep the breed's typical outline.
Did you know?
The breed was once known as the Rothbury Terrier, after the area in Northumberland where its early lines were kept.