Little Pawz -- Bedlington Terrier -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Bedlington Terrier is an attractive, hardy little dog that resembles a shorn lamb in appearance. It is a dog whose dainty appearance and love of children belies its first-rate watchdog qualities. It is also a breed that trains easily, and a number have been used successfully in obedience competitions.

The Breed Standard states: A graceful, lithe, muscular dog with no sign of either weakness or coarseness. The expression in repose should be mild and gentle, though not shy or nervous. When roused, the eyes should sparkle and the dog should look full of temper and courage.

Size
Height: 16 inches (40.5 cm) at the shoulder (bitches are slightly smaller)
Weight: 18 — 23 lbs (8.2 — 10.4 kg)

Coat
A very distinctive mixture of hard and soft hair standing well out from the skin. Thick and linty, crisp to the touch but not wiry, having a tendency to curl, especially on the head and face. When in show trim must not exceed 1 inch (3 cm) on the body; hair on legs is slightly longer.

Colour
Blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. In bicolours the tan markings are found in the legs, chest, under the tail, inside the hindquarters and over each eye. The topknots of all adults should be lighter than the body colour. Patches of darker hair from an injury are not objectionable, as these are only temporary. Darker body pigmentation of all colours is to be encouraged.

Exercise
The Bedlington, like most terriers, is a lively inquisitive breed and will enjoy an off-the-lead run or energetic ball game. It will, however, adapt very happily to apartment life as long as it's given regular and adequate walks.

Grooming
This breed's coat does not shed, which make it a great dog for the fastidious and for allergy sufferers. Any dead hairs remain in the coat until they are combed out. The Bedlington Terrier should be trimmed regularly (otherwise the coat will become tangly) and given a good brushing every day with a fairly stiff brush. Do not bathe the Bedlington too often or this may weaken its coat. Hair should be removed from inside the dog's ears. This can be done quite simply by pulling the hair with finger and thumb or with tweezers.

Feeding
Recommended would be 3/4 – 1 can of name-brand dog food (13.3 oz 376 g size), with a biscuit, or 1 1/2 cups dry dog food. Always provide plenty of fresh water for your Bedlington Terrier.

Origin and History
It is possible that the Greyhound or Whippet played some part in the origin of the Bedlington Terrier, and the soft topknot gives strength to the suggestion that it may share common ancestry with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Certainly a strain of similar terriers existed with tinkers in Rothbury Forest, Northumberland, in the 18th century, and in 1820 a Mr. J. Howe came to Bedlington, Northumberland with a bitch named Phoebe. This bitch was given to a man called Joseph Ainsley, who mated Phoebe to a dog named Old Piper, producing Young Piper, the first dog with the new name of Bedlington Terrier. From that time, 1825, systematic breeding of the Bedlington Terrier began. The breed was shown during the 1860's and the first Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in 1875.