Bedlington Terrier

Ever dreamed of caring for a lamb? You’re in luck—Bedlington Terriers are dogs in lambs’ clothing. They’re just as sweet as the wooly farm animals, and they look like them, too. Even better, they’re amazing companions; they’re happy to help introduce you to new people in your neighborhood or even finish a puzzle alongside you—Bedlingtons love to solve a good thinker. At the end of the day, a Beddie is always ready for a debrief about your adventures together and already looking forward to tomorrow’s.

Light-colored Bedlington Terrier dogs are commonly mistaken for lambs, but these pups come in a range of colors. With their arched backs and thin tails, these dogs have a striking appearance. Their expressive, almond-shaped eyes will beg you to play with them, and they’re happy for a good scratch on their soft, flappy ears after a day spent with their favorite human.

Their feathered coats may be various shades of gold, from light to dark. As they age, some Golden Retrievers even develop a wise white-golden hue across their face.

1. Ears The Bedlington Terrier's ears are thin, fuzzy flaps that are often curly. They hang close to the head with a soft rounded bottom of fringe that reaches their jaw or hangs slightly past it.
2. Eyes A Bedlington Terrier's eyes may be dark (if they have a blue coat), amber (blue and tan coat), hazel (liver or liver and tan coats) or light hazel (sandy or sandy and tan coats). Their eyes are also rimmed in black or brown, depending on their coloring.
3. Nose A Bedlington Terrier's nose coloring is also dependent on coat color. It's either black in blue and tan dogs or brown in sandy, liver and bi-colored tan dogs.
4. Coat Length The Bedlington Terrier's double coat is thick, curly and medium in length, about one inch on the body and slightly longer on the legs. (A dog with a double coat has two layers of coats: The undercoat is typically dense and more "wooly" and regulates body temperature. The top coat is longer and repels dirt and water.)
5. Coat Color The Bedlington Terrier's coat can be tan, blue, sandy, liver (a grayish brown) or combos like blue and tan or sandy and tan.
6. Tail The Bedlington's tail is low-set, thin and rope-like. It's lengthy and comes to a point at the tip.

The Bedlington Terrier has a playful, opinionated personality, and a confident springy gait that is often at home in the show ring. Beddies would be elected class clown if such awards were given out in dog school; they adore performing tricks and will keep you in stitches with pranks like playing peek-a-boo around a corner or hiding under blankets until you find them.

The Bedlington loves to be the center of attention, and does particularly well with active pet parents or a family with kids to run around with on a daily basis. This smart, inquisitive and typically easy-to-train breed will pay you back in kisses and cuddles after every outing.

The Bedlington Terrier breed has been known to nip or react when their paw is stepped on or their rope-like tail gets tugged. Bedlingtons like everyone, but are better suited to families with kids who have been taught how to play gently with a pup and not pull the dog’s fur or tail. Young kids will need to be taught good dog manners for playing with the Bedlington (and vice versa). Bedlingtons may also do well with a companion kitty if raised with one since puppyhood, but outdoor cats, beware: The breed was bred to hunt critters, giving them a high prey drive that sets them on a chase when cats, bunnies or other small woodland creatures are spotted outdoors.

Bedlingtons are a friendly, social little working dog breed. (Working dogs are pups who were bred to do a job, like herd sheep or guard estates). In addition to hunting vermin, Beddies were also bred to be bait in pit fights, so while they won’t start a rumble, they won’t back down easily either. Still, with proper socialization and training Bedlingtons can do well with other dogs in the house.

Bedlington Terriers rank high on the personality charts; thankfully, their care is more toward the middle end of the scale. While their coats require a lot of maintenance (that haircut!), their exercise and training needs are moderate. Plan to spend about an hour every day exercising and playing with your pup. And because these pups are eager to please you, you’ll find they’re relatively easy to train.

Grooming

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The Bedlington Terrier dog has a double coat, which means it takes more effort to maintain it. These pups require monthly haircuts to keep them in their signature style and need daily brushing to help prevent mats. A good pin brush works well on their fur. Many pet parents will send their Beddie to the groomer every six to eight weeks, but if you’d like to create that spa-like experience at home, monthly maintenance for your pup should include a bath, nail trim and hair clip from head to toe. Bedlington Terriers get groomed with a specific lamb-like cut: short on the body, longer on the legs, with a fluffy arch rising from their nose up and over the back of the head. For those who like to groom their dog themselves, this cut may be harder to learn than other breeds that just get trimmed. Check your dog’s ears regularly for redness, swelling and debris, and contact your vet if you see any of the above. They may recommend at-home ear cleaning . Many vets recommend brushing your dog’s teeth at least a few times a week, building up to daily. Your vet can help teach you how to do it, and it’s best to start when your Bedlington Terrier is a puppy, so they’ll get used to it. Dental disease can not only cause problems with their teeth and gums but can lead to other health issues as well as a higher risk for heart, kidney and liver disease. An annual professional cleaning with your vet is also key to keeping your Beddie’s teeth healthy.

Training

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Bedlington Terriers are known for their intelligence, their desire to please you and their trainability—these are some of their most beloved characteristics! But they can be strong-willed, too, so be patient as you train your pup. Beddies have mild mannered, sweet personalities and don’t respond well to harsh training methods. Focus on what your pup does right (and not what they do wrong) and use lots of praise and yummy treats to reward your dog for a job well done. Because they were bred to hunt vermin, training a Bedlington Terrier puppy how to sit and stay when around other animals may be a challenge. (Always remember to keep your pup on a leash for everyone’s safety.) Be patient, stay positive and take a break when you both get frustrated. Your pup will pick up these skills—just maybe not today.

Diet

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Most Bedlington Terriers do well with high quality commercial dog food. Make sure to choose a formula designed for your pup’s stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Most dogs prefer eating twice a day, morning and evening. Not sure how often or how much to feed your pup? Your vet can help you determine a mealtime schedule based on your dog’s unique needs and lifestyle. As with most breeds, limiting dog-safe people food to the occasional treat helps to keep your Bedlington’s weight in check, as even one or two extra pounds can lead to health problems down the road. And don’t forget about the treats ! Your pup will get a lot of treats during training times and also, heck, just because you love them. But remember to factor those treats into your dog’s mealtime goals. (Sadly, treat calories count, too!) Your vet is in the best position to help you balance mealtime and snack time to help keep your pup at a healthy weight.

Exercise

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Bedlington Terriers have moderate energy levels, so your pup needs about an hour of exercise every day. A bored Beddie is a destructive Beddie, and both physical and mental stimulation will keep your whole family happy (and your shoes unchewed). The Bedlington Terrier breed loves to play, so fetch, tug of war, running with older kids or an organized canine activity like agility or flyball fit the bill. Most Beddies like to swim, so a day at the lake with the family, laps in the pool or dock diving may be right up this breed’s exercise alley.

Environment

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Though the Bedlington Terrier loves to run and is quite speedy, they can do well in an apartment or small home as long as their exercise needs are taken care of. These small dogs are especially well-suited for active folks or families with older children—especially those who respect the dog’s boundaries and aren’t too rough. Bedlington Terriers can live with a cat if raised with one, and may do OK with another dog if well-socialized. Still, they typically prefer to be the star of everyone’s love and affection. Their chasing instincts run deep (they’re born hunters), so they are hardwired to run after the stray cat, squirrel or bunny that may dare to cross your yard. Take precautions with a strong fence and a sturdy leash.

Bedlington Terriers have a life expectancy of 11 to 16 years, but they do have a few health problems to look out for. Knowing the problems associated with this breed can help you keep your Bedlington Terrier in excellent health and make sure you purchase a pup who’s had the right health screenings.

Be familiar with potential health problems so you can recognize and treat them quickly.

1. Copper Storage Disease This disease, caused by a mutant gene that prevents normal copper excretion in the liver and resulting in chronic hepatitis, is acquired from the parents. The disease has been successfully reduced by genetic testing and not breeding dogs with the gene. Make sure the parents of the puppy you want have been tested for the genetic marker. Treatment can include medication and a change in diet.
2. Retinal Dysplasia Present from birth, retinal dysplasia is an eye problem where the formation of the retina is disrupted, causing blindness. Breeders often notice at 3- to 4-weeks of age when a Bedlington Terrier puppy is less active than their littermates. There is no treatment for the disease, but there are genetic screening tests available.
3. Distichiasis A condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside the pup’s eyelid and rub the surface of their eye, distichiasis is commonly inherited and can cause painful corneal ulcers. Treatments are available including removing the hairs and surgery in severe cases.
4. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia : Joint dysplasia occurs when the joints don’t form correctly, causing them to be loose. This can be painful and result in arthritis. Treatment includes joint supplements, pain medication, weight management, and surgery in severe cases.
5. Luxating Patella Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap can pop out of place, resulting in limping, pain and arthritis. While there is likely a genetic component to luxating patella, there is not currently a genetic screening test for this condition. Dogs with luxating patella should not be bred. Treatment typically includes weight maintenance and joint supplements, but severe cases may need surgery.
6. von Willebrand’s disease lington Terriers are prone to bleeding disorders involving trouble clotting, such as von Willebrand’s disease and thrombocytopenia . Blood tests can be done to diagnose these conditions. Your vet may recommend medications or, if your pet is having surgery, they may need to have a blood transfusion as part of the procedure.

The Bedlington Terrier originated in the town of Bedlington in Northumberland, England, and was bred to hunt vermin like weasels and polecats, as well as to flush rats from the coal mines, which accounts for their high-prey drive. Sadly, they were also used as bait in pit fights, which is why they are reluctant to back down from another dog.

The Lord of Rothbury became fond of the little lamb-like breed, and they later became known as the Rothbury’s Lamb or Rothbury’s Terrier. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and is the club’s 25th breed. The Bedlington shares traits of theWhippet,Kerry Blueand Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier.

Are you looking to add a Bedlington Terrier as a family member? Generally, this type of puppy will cost between $1,800 and $2,300. Check out theAKC’s websiteto find a reputable breeder. You can also seek out local Bedlington Terrier rescues to find a worthy, loving dog to adopt or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter.Search Chewy’s network of adoptable dogsfor Bedlington Terriers in your area.