PERSONALITY
The Bedlington Terrier is a versatile dog and a great house dog and companion. If you like to work with your dog, you will find this breed to be a happy and willing participant in whatever area you choose, be it obedience work, agility, therapy, flyball and, of course, best of all, going-to-ground activities. This is a smart dog that likes to please, to keep busy and to be challenged. Give him any job that requires a bit of brain activity on his part and he will be absolutely delighted. Of course, because of his intelligence, it is best to establish very early on who is the head of the household, and teaching the very basics in obedience lessons is always a good idea.
The Bedlington is an active, hardy, long-lived companion who can make himself at home almost anywhere. This senior is still “sitting pretty” at 12 years of age.
The Bedlington is a well-loved family dog, giving much and asking little in return. He likes to have appropriate attention from the family and in return will give of himself and be a loving, contributing member of the family. He will be extremely loyal and is very good with children. However, in spite of his lamb-like appearance and soft looks, this is an athletic breed that is every inch a terrier. This is not a breed that will while away the hours quietly on your lap; rather, he will be curious and enthusiastic. He loves to play and entertain, and he will be a great companion dog. He is a good watchdog but is not a noisy breed, barking only when strangers come to the house. He is lively and inquisitive, and you will find him a delight to have with you.
Given his small size, he is a good city dog who not only remains quiet but also requires little space in an apartment. Unlike many other dogs, he does not shed, but he does require weekly coat care.
If you are a first-time dog owner, you must be aware of your responsibility toward your new friend—either keep your dog on a leash or in your fenced yard. Your Bedlington, if loose and trotting along at your side, might spot a squirrel across a busy street. His killer terrier instincts will react quickly and, oblivious of the traffic, he will dart across the street. Therefore some rudimentary obedience training should be in line so your pal will sit when asked to, come when called and, in general, act like a gentleman.
PART OF THE FAMILY
Bedlington Terriers thrive in organized activities and love to be a part of the family—going for rides in the car, fetching a ball, helping in the kitchen by keeping the floor clean and then cuddling up on the bed when day is done.
Bedlingtons, as with other terriers, can be a challenge in the obedience ring. Terriers are not easy breeds to work with in obedience, as with their intelligence and independent spirit they can sometimes be more trying to train than had been anticipated. You will see Golden Retrievers, Poodles and Miniature Schnauzers in abundance in obedience classes, as these are breeds with which it is easier to work. Not only are these breeds intelligent but, more importantly, they have an eagerness to please their masters, a trait that is not found in abundance in the terrier breeds.
PET-LOVER STATS
• 94% of dog owners keep a pet’s photo on display in their home or office.
• 46% of dogs sleep on their owners’ beds.
• 63% of us celebrate our dogs’ birthdays.
• 66% of us take our dogs to the vet more often than we see our own physicians!
The terrier is easily distracted and busy, but he is an intelligent dog and he does respond to training. Of course, when training a smart and independent dog, the handler will often learn humility while the dog is learning sit and stay. The Bedlington is a quick, alert and smart little dog who likes his owner to be his equal.
COAT-CARE REQUIREMENTS
The Bedlington Terrier is a dog that will require weekly grooming, whether you are going to show the dog or just have him as a pet. If you are going to show your dog, a reputable breeder who also shows his animals will be a good source of grooming advice. He will be able to show you how to clip your dog into the proper show trim, and he will also assist you with the finer points of grooming this breed.
If you are buying your Bedlington to be a pet, you will be able to do the trimming yourself (or have the dog professionally groomed) and, as time goes on, you will become as good a groomer of the breed as a professional dog groomer! There are several books on grooming dogs in general, and many Bedlington clubs have breed-specific grooming manuals for sale.
The Bedlington is prized for his wonderful companion qualities as well as his beauty and elegance. This is Ch. Carillon Serendipity Bluenote, owned by Cynthia Cook Pruitt and Paul Pruitt.
Playful, intelligent and curious, the Bedlington wants nothing more than to be part of his owner’s life.
Do understand before purchasing your Bedlington Terrier that this is a breed with a coat that needs maintenance, whether you have a dog for the show ring or one that is a household pet. Keep your dog clean and trimmed and you will find it a pleasure to be in his company. However, it will require some effort to do this.
The Bedlington has a non-shedding coat, which, however, does require the removal of dead hair. Left untended, the coat will become matted and eventually smelly, and your dear pet will not be so nice to be around. A weekly or twice-weekly combing will take out the dead hair, making it unlikely that your Bedlington will develop a matted coat. Trimming, whether you have a show dog or a pet, will be required, but you will find it a fairly easy job to keep your dog in pet trim.
LIVING WITH A TERRIER
Bryan Cummins wrote, “Terriers, created to hunt down and kill vermin, should all be sold with their own leather jackets. They are often feisty, lively, self-assured. You live with terriers, you do not own them.”
Part of the pleasure of owning a Bedlington is pampering him with attentive grooming. Starting when your puppy is young will help him become accustomed to grooming and will give you lots of time to practice.
HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS
By and large, Bedlington Terriers are very healthy dogs, as are most other terriers, and there are few health problems in the breed. Your most sensible option is to buy your puppy from a reputable breeder and ask for documentation on any health problems in his line and current health-testing results. Breeding stock should be tested regularly for eye and heart disease, as well as hereditary orthopedic problems, and certified as free of these disorders.
When buying a Bedlington Terrier, you must also be aware that there is one significant health problem in the breed. You must ask the breeder of your dog if he is aware of the problem and has had his dogs tested. This problem is copper toxicosis (CT), which is a serious disease found in some Bedlington Terriers. This is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper accumulation that results in severe liver disease. It is a hereditary condition and one that cannot be ignored. At the present time, considerable research and study are being conducted.
When buying your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder to see the biopsied “normal” certificates or DNA typing of both the sire and the dam. All responsible Bedlington breeders will have their dogs certified “normal” before breeding them. It is thought that the disease may be present in as much as 50% of the breed; however, there was a time when two-thirds of the breed was affected. Some dogs carry the CT gene but are not affected by the disease; this also turns up through DNA typing. If your dog is tested as having the disease, there are now several therapies whereby the dog can be treated and often live a long and full life.
Although this health problem may look daunting, Bedlingtons are considered to be a very healthy breed. The problem mentioned exists in the breed, and a buyer should be aware of it. Do not be turned away from the breed, and do realize that if the breeder of your puppy is reputable and aware, he will be doing his utmost to breed healthy dogs.
Go team! These two football fans are all dressed up and ready for the big game.
This is what a properly groomed Bedlington in show trim should look like. A dog kept in pet trim will require regular grooming as well, though it will not be as extensive.
