Bedlington Terrier

Beneath his gentle, lamblike appearance, the Bedlington Terrier has the heart of a lion -- especially when it comes to small creatures. He is one of the more unusual terrier breeds, with his crisp and curly coat and somewhat relaxed — for a terrier — nature. Any opportunity to chase prey such as rats or squirrels brings out his inner and assertive earthdog nature, though. The Bedlington’s moderate size of 17 to 23 pounds makes him suited to most homes, including apartments and condos. The Bedlington Terrier is a curious, affectionate companion dog who loves nothing better than to spend time with his people. His moderate activity level calls for a long daily walk or active playtime in a safe, traffic-free area. Once that need is satisfied, he will be happy to lie by your side or follow you around as you do your daily activities. He’s an excellent watchdog but will greet your guests joyously. The Bedlington has a sense of humor and enjoys being the center of attention. As a bonus, he’ll rid your home and yard of any mice, rats or other rodents that may have taken up residence. The Bedlington excels at all kinds of organized and informal canine activities, including Earthdog tests. He loves to hike and can be an excellent agility, flyball, obedience and rally dog. Train him with firmness, fairness and consistency, plus lots of positive reinforcement in the form of praise, play and food rewards. Any terrier can become a nuisance barker if left unchecked, so teach your Bedlington when it’s okay to exercise his vocal cords and when he should be quiet. Bedlington Terriers are active and cheerful playmates for kids, and if they are raised with them they can usually get along with indoor cats. Outdoor cats should beware, however. Confine the Bedlington to your yard with a solid fence. An underground electronic fence will not deter him if he sees something he wants to chase. The Bedlington coat sheds little but must be combed weekly to prevent or remove mats and tangles. Take him to a groomer every couple of months to maintain his lamblike look, or learn to trim the coat yourself. Your Bedlington’s breeder can show you how. Other than that, keep his ears clean, his nails trimmed and his teeth brushed. A people-loving dog like the Bedlington Terrier needs to live in the house. It’s an unhappy Bedlington Terrier who is relegated to the backyard with little or no human companionship. Other Quick Facts The Bedlington has a very different look than other terriers, with his unusual coat, roached back, arched loin, hare feet and distinctive, springy gait. The tail, shaped like a scimitar, tapers to a point. The Bedlington has a narrow head covered with a topknot that is lighter than the body color, dark, small, almond-shaped eyes, triangular ears with rounded tips and a thin, velvety texture, and a mild, gentle expression, belying the fact that he is a terrier at heart. In addition to backing off animals as wily as foxes and badgers, the Bedlington Terrier is an excellent water dog. Bedlington Terriers often live for upwards of 17 years. Borrowing form the dog's simultaneous pluck and likability, non-league UK soccer club the Bedlington Terriers have recently brought the breed's name to prominence in Hollywood. ou might say the Bedlington has a split personality — in a good way. He is quiet, unassuming and perceptive, happy to be a family dog, particularly a child’s companion. He is also a terrier: aggressive, spirited and ready for action. Mostly, he is mild-mannered, usually never overly shy, nervous or aggressive, but when aroused he displays the courage, endurance and energy characteristic of his terrier bloodlines. This versatile dog can be an enthusiastic playmate for kids or a peaceful friend for seniors. The athletic Bedlington needs exercise, so plan on daily walks and playtime. He performs well in canine sports such as agility, rally and earthdog tests.