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Bedlington Terrier: Breed Characteristics, Care & Exercise Needs
Group: Terriers
AKC Ranking: 128
Also Known As:
Rothbury Terrier and Rodbery Terrier
About
Bedlington Terrier
Origin
of the Breed
The Bedlington Terrier breed
originated in the United Kingdom. The name
Rothbury Terrier was given to the breed after
the district of Rothbury on the English border.
The gypsy nail makers who had settled in Rothbury
had prized the breed as a hunter of various
games. Thus the name Rothbury had become associated
with the particular Terriers.
In around 1825 a Rothbury
dog had been mated to a Bedlington bitch.
This resulted in the creation of the Bedlington
Terrier breed. The Otterhound and Dandie Dinmont
Terrier are other breeds that could have possibly
contributed towards the making of this breed.
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Miners of Bedlington used the dog
as a vermin hunter and also utilized it as a fighting
dog in the pits. Again, hunters used the dog for
retrieving work. The dogs were accustomed to rodent
hunting underground. They also worked with foxhounds.
First exhibited in 1877 as a separate breed and
recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948 the
Bedlington Terrier has now found its position as
a good apartment dog as also as an attentive and
barking watchdog.
Description
The dog has a wedge shaped head,
arched back and curly coat. There is no stop on
the head and it descends in an unbroken line from
crown to nose. The eyes are small and deep set and
have a sparkle in them. Its body shape is unusual
for a terrier and is more akin to those of Greyhounds
or Whippets thus enabling it to gallop at great
speed. The front legs of the dogs are straight and
have a construction quite different from those of
the quick hounds. Its feet are hare-like. The dog
has a pointed tail.
Coat
The Bedlington Terrier dog has
got non-shedding fur with wooly texture thus making
it look like a lamb. The dog has a thick double
coat. This is a mixture of soft and harsher hairs.
The color of the coat may be blue, sandy or liver
or even some solid color and may have tan markings.
The colors/marks turn paler as the dog grows older.
Height
Male dogs have heights ranging
between 16'' and 17''
Bitches have heights ranging between 15'' and 16''.
Weight: 18-23 pounds.
Temperament
These qualify as do-all dogs. They
can accomplish nearly everything that is expected
of them. The Bedlington Terrier dogs of the day
are companionable and affectionate creatures. They
are playful and cheerful and friendly with children.
They receive strangers well too. If trained from
an early age then they can befriend cats and other
household pet animals too. It is however advisable
to keep the dog away from other dogs that have a
dominating nature.
The dogs are loyal, lively, energetic
and courageous. They can run very fast and are enthusiastic
diggers. They also like barking.
Living Conditions
The dog can be kept in apartments
provided it gets sufficient exercise. The Bedlington
Terrier, like other terriers, is very energetic
and gets bored up and starts behaving mischievously
if not given opportunities for expending their energy.
Exercise
The dog needs to be taken for long
and vigorous walks at least once a day. Aerobic
play sessions may also be set for them to provide
them additional exercise and also to keep them happy
and contented. Bedlington Terrier dogs are well
suited for agility.
Grooming
The coats of the dog do not shed
but tend to curl. Hence it needs a weekly combing
and professional grooming every 3-4 months to ensure
that the coat is kept in good shape. Every six weeks
or so specialized clipping of the coat hair is to
be done and the coat is thinned and clipped close
to the head and body. This accentuates the shape
of the dog and keeps it healthy. The ears are also
to be shaved closely leaving a tassel on the tips.
The dog is to be brushed and combed regularly and
the pluck inside its ears cleaned. The dog should
not be washed too frequently lest the coat become
lank.
The hair on the legs can be left
slightly longer. It is best if a professional person
is entrusted with the task of grooming the dog.
Otherwise, the dog owner needs to follow some set
of instructions obtained from such person and carry
out the grooming procedures by himself/herself.
Health Issues
Common health issues among Bedlington
Terrier dogs relate to reproductive problems, heart
murmur, hereditary kidney diseases, PRA, thyroid
problems and eye problems like epiphora and cataract.
Copper Storage Disease or Copper Toxicosis, an inherited
autosomal recessive disease, is a serious inherited
liver problem that affects some 5 percent of the
dogs. This is characterized by accumulation of excess
copper in the liver. A liver biopsy confirms the
disease.
Life Expectancy: 17
years and longer.
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Breed Club: http://www.bedlingtonamerica.com
Rescue Link: http://www.bedlingtonamerica.com/rescue/index.htm
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