Bedlington Terrier

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
20 min/day
Training
Weekly
Size of home
Some outdoor space
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
Frequent
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Ms Eileen Clarke (Fioralainn)

eileen_clarke@hotmail.com
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Breeder - Mrs E Wells (Breckland)

wellbred1@bigpond.com
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History

Early dog fanciers in Britain selectively bred for the type of dog that best suited their needs. Although the background of the Bedlington Terrier is somewhat obscure, British breed historians now believe the long-legged dog evolved from the Rough Coated Scotch Terrier.

The Bedlington Terrier is named after its town of origin, Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England. It became a favourite with miners because of its ratting ability, a skill that is still evident in the breed today.

Temperament

Well tempered, affectionate and dignified, the Bedlington Terrier is not shy or nervous in nature. It may be mild in repose, but full of courage when roused.

A Bedlington Terrier is not one to go looking for trouble. However, if trouble comes looking for it, the breed will fight to the last breath. It will bark and alert you to a visitor, but once inside the visitor is likely to be licked to death. The Bedlington Terrier is very sociable and really loves people. It is playful, affectionate and its loyalty is unwavering.

Appearance

A graceful, muscular dog, the Bedlington Terrier shows no sign of weakness or coarseness. Its head is pear- or wedge-shaped and it wears a mild, gentle expression. The pear-shaped head, profuse silky top-knot, filbert-shaped ears with tassels or fringes, horseshoe front assembly, linty coat and mincing gait are some of the distinctive features of the breed. The outline should present as a series of graceful curves from the tip of the nose to the end of tail.

Maintenance

Part of this breed’s appeal as a pet is the lack of odour and fur. Its coat doesn’t shed, making the Bedlington Terrier an ideal choice for the house proud or those who don’t want dog hair all over their clothes. However, this means the breed does require regular grooming once a week, with a soft wire slicker brush to remove any knots or tangles. The non-shedding coat also requires clipping every six to eight weeks for standard maintenance. Be careful not to over-wash the coat, or the wool will become lank.

Health Issues

The one major health concern in the breed is the genetic disease, Copper Toxicosis, detected by DNA testing. Affected dogs store toxic levels of copper, mainly in their livers. Responsible breeders began addressing this problem in 1994 and embarked on a breeding program to eliminate the disease. ANKC regulations require that breeding stock is DNA tested before a litter can be registered.

Suitability

Bedlington Terriers tend to go with the flow. The breed picks up on the mood of its environment and adjusts its behaviour accordingly. This versatility makes the Bedlington Terrier a suitable pet for apartment dwellers, families in a large suburban home, or farmers with extensive fields for the breed to gallop in.

Words: Elizabeth Wells

Image: Shutterstock.com

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Bedlington Terrier, you may think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Bedlington Terrier and its needs, and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 02 Jul 2009)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

A graceful, lithe, muscular dog, with no signs of either weakness or coarseness. Whole head pear or wedge-shaped, and expression in repose mild and gentle.

Characteristics

Spirited and game, full of confidence. An intelligent companion with strong sporting instincts.

Temperament

Good tempered, having an affectionate nature, dignified, not shy or nervous. Mild in repose but full of courage when roused.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Skull narrow, but deep and rounded; covered with profuse silky top-knot which should be nearly white. Jaw long and tapering. There must be no "stop", the line from occiput to nose end straight and unbroken. Well filled up beneath eye. Close fitting lips, without flew. Nostrils large and well defined.
Eyes	Relatively small and bright. ideal eye has appearance of being triangular. Blues a dark eye; blue and tans have lighter eye with amber lights, livers and sandies a light hazel eye.
Ears	Moderately sized, filbert shaped, set on low, and hanging flat to cheek. Thin and velvety in texture; covered with short fine hair with fringe of whitish silky hair at tip.
Mouth	Teeth large and strong. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck	Long and tapering, deep base with no tendency to throatiness. Springs well up from shoulders, and head carried rather high.
Forequarters	Forelegs straight, wider apart at chest than at feet. Pasterns long and slightly sloping without weakness. Shoulders flat and sloping.
Body	Muscular and markedly flexible. Chest deep and fairly broad. Flat ribbed, deep through brisket which reaches to elbow. Back has natural arch over loin creating a definite tuck-up of underline. Body slightly greater in length than height.
Hindquarters	Muscular and moderate length, arched loin with curved topline immediately above loins. Hindlegs have appearance of being longer than forelegs. Hocks strong and well let down, turning neither in nor out. Moderate turn of stifle.
Feet	Long hare feet with thick and well closed-up pads. Pads sound and free from cracks or horny excrescences.
Tail	Moderate length, thick at root, tapering to a point and gracefully curved. Set on low, never carried over back.
Gait/Movement	Capable of galloping at high speed and have appearance of being able to do so. Action very distinctive, rather mincing, light and springy in slower paces and slight roll when in full stride.
Coat	Very distinctive. Thick and linty, standing well out from skin, but not wiry. A distinct tendency to twist, particularly on head and face.
Colour	Blue, liver, or sandy with or without tan. Darker pigment to be encouraged. Blues and blue and tans must have black noses; liver and sandies must have brown noses.
Size	Height: about 41 cms (16 ins) at withers.This allows for slight variation below in the case of a bitch and above in the case of a dog.Weight: between 8-10 kg (18-23 lbs).

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.