Bedlington Terrier is a purebred dog bred for killing rats, badgers, and other vermin. It's an affectionate and loyal dog breed. Today, these lovely canines excel as companions and in the show ring. However, they still have excellent hunting abilities and a sense of smell. They love to be the center of attention. In fact, they enjoy being single-family pets.
Their intelligence and strong
sense of smell make them great watchdogs. It's always a pleasure for the
families to own it as a four-leg family member. Even these are well suited for
apartment living if they get plenty of exercises. Despite their purebred
status, you can find them in the care of shelters and rescues. It's good to
visit there before owning them from a breeder. Let's see everything about the
Bedlington Terriers.
History
Bedlington Terriers belong to
the parish of Bedlington in Northumberland, England. In 1825, They were
produced by crossing a Rothbury dog with Bedlington bitch. However, it's also
thought that the Otter Hound and Dandie Dinmont also contribute to Bedlington
Terriers genes. The purpose of their breeding was the hunting of foxes, hares,
badgers, and rats. Originally, they were known as the Rothbury Terriers. After
some time, they get their present name, "Bedlington Terrier," from their
owner Joseph Ainsley of Bedlington. The earlier Bedlington Terrier was slightly
smaller in stature.
Main Characteristics
·
These are intelligent and affectionate dogs. They
can pick things quickly.
· They come in three different colors and two
marking patterns. The three colors are blue, liver, and sandy, which can have solid
or tan marking patterns.
· They need regular exercise to stay healthy,
physically and mentally. 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day is enough for
them. It's also lowered the risk of their mischievous behavior.
· Sometimes, they can be stubborn. So, early
socialization and training are recommended.
·
Males are more fearless fighters than females
when challenged by other dogs.
· They need once or twice weekly brushing to
maintain their coat.
·
These can be attached more with one family
member.
· These are temperamentally strong dogs and get along
well with the kids. But make sure to own them from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
Bedlington Terriers are known for their pear-shaped, tufted head, curly coat, arched back, lithe stature, and graceful and springy gait. They have narrow, deep, and rounded heads with longer jaws than the skull. Their long tapering neck also distinguishes them from many other dog breeds. They have a deep chest, low and tapering tail, and straight front legs. They have a curly coat, which can come in blue, sandy, tan, blur, blue and tan, and sandy and tan. Today, blue is their most popular and prevent color.
Size
Bedlington Terrier is a small
to medium size dog. The males are around 16 inches in height at withers with 17
to 23 pounds weight. The females are around 15 inches in height at withers with
17 to 23 pounds weight.
Personality and Temperament
Belington Terriers are
energetic, alert, and intelligent dogs. These are also aggressive towards other
dogs. All these personality traits make them excellent watchdogs. However, their
overall temperament depends upon heredity, training, and socialization. These
are more curious to play and be the center of attention during their puppy age.
Though they have a strong temperament, but early socialization is the key to
making them good companions. Try to expose them to different people, sounds,
and sights for new experiences. It will ensure a well-rounded Bedlington
Terrier.
Health
Generally, it's a healthy dog
breed. But they can have certain health problems like many other dog breeds. Some
of their common health issues include the following.
Copper Toxicosis
It's a serious Bedlington
Terrier health issue that can lead to illness and death. It is caused by the
failure of the liver. The affected dog inherits a gene from both parents. So,
proper DNA testing before crossing can prevent it.
Patellar Luxation
It's one of the common health problems
for many dogs. It's a discoloration of the patella, which can be due to an
injury or congenital. It can lead them to intense pain and limping. In some
serious cases, dogs may require surgical repair.
Distichiasis
It's an eye problem caused by
an additional row of eyelashes on the oil gland of a dog's eye. It can irritate
their eyes. They start squinting and rubbing their eyes to get some relief. These
excess eyelashes need to be surgically removed.
Renal Cortical Hypoplasia
It's a kidney problem caused
by the development of the cortex by one or both kidneys. In serious cases, it
can be responsible for kidney failure. You have to notice the signs like
increased thirst and increased urination. No specific treatment for this
disease. You have to notice the signs to prevent further damage to the kidneys.
Retinal Dysplasia
It's a developmental issue of
the Bedlington Terriers, which can affect their vision. Usually, Veterinarians
tests them at 7 to 12 weeks of age for Retinal Dysplasia. However, there is not
any detectable loss of vision. The reputable breeders ensure to don't bred the
affected dogs.
Care
· Bedlington Terriers have moderate activity levels.
They can run at high speed. So, some special care is good to prevent them from any
injury.
· Take them for a nice short walk to burn the
energy. A good game of fetch is also a better option.
· Train them for agility, obedience, and tracking.
Use the reinforcement training techniques to praise their good behavior.
·
Crate them to prevent their destructive behavior.
Feeding
Quality food is always
recommended for their good physical and mental health. They need 1 to 1.5 cups
of high-quality food daily. You can divide this amount into two meals. However,
their diet can vary individually depending on their size, age, build, and
activity level. The high-activity Bedlington Terriers may have slightly
different dietary needs than others. Keep an eye on their food intake to
prevent them from obesity issues. Being overweight itself is related to many
other health issues.
Grooming
The Bedlington Terrier's curly
coat doesn't shed much, making it good for allergy sufferers. However, their
harsh and soft hairs may require regular brushing to prevent tangles and mats. You
have to comb them at least once a week. Take them to a professional groomer for
any special clipping. However, you can also clip himself. They also need teeth
cleaning and nail care, just like humans. Brush their teeth at least two to
three times a week to prevent tartar buildup and bacteria. Trim their nails
once or twice a month. Generally, they need bathing once every three months.
But you can also bathe them if they occasionally get any dirt or mud. Overall,
Bedlington Terriers have high grooming needs depending upon their curly and
harsh coat.
Life Span
Bedlington Terriers have a longer
life span than many other dog breeds. They can live 12 to 14 years. However, it
depends upon their health, diet, care, etc.
Behavior With Children and other Pets
It mostly depends upon how you raise your Bedlington Terrier. The individuals raised with children are good than others. They can handle certain types of rough handling. But they have their own limits. The children need to understand these limits. It's always good to keep the children with Bedlington Terriers under your supervision. These are aggressive dogs. So, things can get too rough.
These are good with other
pets, especially when socializing during their early age. But they can also be
aggressive toward same-sex dogs. Don't worry if Bedlington Terriers are raised
along with the other pets. However, special care is necessary on outdoor trips
as they can chase outdoor cats and other animals.
Recognition
Bedlington Terriers are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and United Kennel Club (UKC) in their "Terrier" category.
Cost
A Bedlington Terrier can cost
you about $80 per month after purchase and set-up costs. Their lifetime cost is
around $13500. Their set-up cost includes the puppy vaccination, neutering, and
some necessary equipment cost. While their ongoing cost includes the grooming
cost and Veterinary checkup cost. Some of their other costs include training
costs, boarding costs, or dog walkers/daycare costs.
Interesting Facts About Bedlington Terriers
· The curly and harsh coat of Bedlington Terriers
with a long neck resembles a lamb. They look very similar to lambs in
appearance, especially in their white coat. Many dog lovers take them to a professional
groomer for their lamb clipping.
· Both males and females have the same weight
range. However, males can have slightly more height than females.
· These are considered hypoallergenic dogs, making
them acceptable pets for allergy sufferers.
·
These are keen diggers and just love to dig.
· Bedlington Terriers like water as compared to many
other dog breeds. These are known to be good swimmers.
Bedlington Terrier Vs. Poodle
Both of these breeds have many similarities and differences. Below is a quick comparison between the two breeds.
Similarities:
·
Both of these breeds are closely resembling with
a lamb.
·
These are the right choice for the new and
inexperienced owner.
·
Both of these are good with the children.
·
Both of them have high grooming needs.
Differences:
· Bedlington Terrier has a high tendency to bark
than the average barking tendency of Poodle.
·
Bedlington Terriers are smaller in size than
Poodles.
· Bedlington Terriers originally belonged to the United
Kingdom, while the Poodle belonged to Germany.
·
Bedlington Terriers can be more stubborn than
Poodle.
Conclusion
Bedlington Terrier is a
suitable breed for people, especially for animal allergic families. These are
known for making a strong bond with people, especially with one family member.
The below points help you to decide better.
· It's a medium to small size dog. It can even
adjust in apartments depending upon their size and exercise needs.
·
Sometimes, these are aggressive and chase other
animals.
·
These dogs have three different coat colors with
two different patterns.
·
They love to be the center of attention.
·
It's a rare dog breed. So, you may have to wait
to own.
