Discover the Bedlington Terrier | Dog Breed Information

The Bedlington Terrier was very appreciated by the miners of the north of England because they used it to hunt rats in the mining galleries.

The Bedlington Terrier dog breed is characterized by having a curious look with a long jaw, and the head with a toupee curly and silky, shaped like a pear.

Another curiosity of the race is that it is the only terrier race, which has a body with curved lines.

The coat of the Bedlington Terrier is characterized by being longer on the legs, and a little shorter on the body. Typically the canine hairdresser shaves his neck in the shape of a "u", tail, upper ears and jaws. In addition, it requires quite thorough work on the part of the canine hairdresser!


Bedlington Terrier - Dog Breed Information
Photo via: @dear.general

Let's start... What basic data do you need to know?

  • Height at withers: in males is usually between 16 to 17.5 inches and in females between 15 to 16.5 inches
  • Its weight is usually between 17 - 23 pounds
  • Coat: blue, or sand
  • It is considered to be a medium breed


Bedlington Terrier
Photo via: @flora.springs

History of the Bedlington Terrier Dog Breed


The Bedlington Terrier breed, is one of the oldest in Britain, this breed arose from the mixture of:

  • Poodle
  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier
  • Whippet

The Bedlington Terrier was very appreciated by the miners of the north of England because they used it to hunt rats in the mining galleries. They also used it to chase hares, foxes and badgers at one point in time!

Bedlington Terrier Temperament


As most of the Terrier dogs, the Bedlington Terrier, are quite intrepid, also characterized by having great agility.

The Bedlington Terrier is the perfect breed of dog for people who like to do sport, as they are very active and need a lot of exercise. However, if you live in a flat, don't worry - they are perfectly suited to living in apartments too, as long as you take them for long walks regularly.

Other characteristics of the Bedlington Terrier's character include playfulness, obedience, and affection. However, we must warn you that this dog breed can also be quite stubborn. If you give an order that your Bedlington Terrier doesn't want to follow, he may disobey you.


bedlington terrier
Photo via: @oh._.rae


What does a Bedlington Terrier look like?


The Bedlington Terrier is a flexible, vigorous and elegant dog. They have long and muscular legs. The head is narrow and rounded, covered by their characteristic toupee. The ears are oval, and fall on both sides of the cheeks. The tail is thick, and narrows to the tip.

This breed has a rough and cuddly coat, which has a tendency to curl. The coat can be blue, brown, or sand-colored.

What care do we recommend for a Bedlington Terrier?


One of the basic care needs for a Bedlington Terrier is brushing their hair. This is a race that also needs the care of a canine hairdresser as the maintenance and cutting of their hair is quite complex, meticulous and requires technique with scissors. This breed sheds very little.

When feeding a Bedlington Terrier, it is necessary to completely avoid:

  • Pepper
  • Bread
  • Sauces
  • Certain fish

Why should these foods be discarded? Because they are foods rich in copper, an element that this race does not assimilate very well.

What health problems are frequent in the Bedlington Terrier dog breed?


The Bedlington Terrier breed is characterized by particularly resistant dogs. However some are very sensitive to copper, suffering from a disease similar to the disease of "Wilson" in humans.

Nor can we forget other possible pathologies such as:

  • Hepatotoxicosis by copper
  • Kidney problems
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Eye Diseases
  • Thyroid diseases

Read also: How To Strengthen a Dog's Immune System

Do you want to share your life with a Bedlington Terrier?