General
Other Names Rothbury Terrier
Dog Group Kennel Club Terrier
Breed Classification Bedlington Terriers belong to the terrier group and are mainly used as
companions and seen in the show-ring. However, they are also still used today as ratters
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost
< £4 per week
Feeding Requirements
Bedlingtons are generally healthy eaters and can be fed tinned or dry food once or twice a day.
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Other Expenses
The price of a puppy will be around £350 to £500. They are a hardy breed therefore veterinary expenses should be low.
Average Puppy Price
£300-500
Lifespan
9 - 15 years
The average age expectancy is 12 to 16 years.
Average Litter Size
4
Litter sizes will be around 3 to 4 pups.
General Physical Description
The Bedlington has a narrow skull, is a long legged terrier and has a lamb like coat. They are capable of galloping at high speed.
Height Min Max
Bitch 38cm (15") 43cm (17")
Dog 38cm (15") 43cm (17")
Weight Min Max
Bitch 8kg (18lbs) 10kg (22lbs)
Dog 8kg (18lbs) 10kg (22lbs)
Size Category Small
Weight Height Range Both dogs and bitches measure between 38 - 43cms and weigh between 8 - 10kgs.
Ailments Although the Bedlington has a decent life span of 12 - 16 years, it does have some hereditary health problems to contend with. The most studied is Copper Toxicosis (CT). Now, with DNA testing, both carriers and affected dogs can be identified and eliminated from breeding programmes, although this is not 100% reliable.. Less serious diseases also afflict the Bedlington, such as Distichiasis. Imperforate Nasolacrimal Puncta is another eye disorder common in Bedlington Terriers.
Common Ailments
Imperforate Nasolacrimal Puncta
Susceptibility To Illness Low
History
Originally bred from a combination of local terriers with an outcross to whippets, this is a lean, racy and assertive terrier. Miners in the Rothbury area of Northumberland developed the breed sometime in the 18th century. It was not shown until 1869, but in the meantime developed a reputation as a killer of vermin, a poacher’s sidekick and a fighter. Alternate names it was known by are 'The Rothbury Terrier' and 'The Gypsy Dog', (due to its assistance with poaching.) Although now rarely called into the field, The Bedlington was an excellent hunter due to its acute sense of smell and hearing, as well as its speed and its ability to ‘go to ground.’ It was even known to take on badgers. In its other arena, dog fighting, Bedlingtons were known to fight to the death.
Intelligence
The Bedlington owner should remain aware that this is a wolf in lamb’s clothing and should arrange to socialise it with other dogs and a variety of different people at an early age, in order to avoid problems with aggression. Once good social skills are established, this is a lively, loyal and rewarding companion. This is an intelligent breed but it does have a mind of its own. One must convince the dog that it wants to do what you want it to do. Force would never work with this breed, as it can be more stubborn than most humans. Coercion, such as with positive reinforcement training, is a more efficient method of getting a Bedlington to co-operate.
Show Characteristics
The overall look should be of gracefulness. The Bedlington has a narrow skull with a long tapering jaw that should be solid, not snipey. High at the occiput and wedge shaped, there is no discernible stop, rather a continuous slope to the nose, giving a Roman outline. The topknot is curly and crisp but not wiry and should taper into the nose. The almond shaped eyes should be clearly visible. The eyes are deep set, small and bright. A filbert shaped ear is 3 inches at its widest and narrows to a silky fringe at the tip. The fringe should be 1 - 1 ½ inches long and can look like a tassel. The rest of the pinnae has fine, short hair. The low set ear should be long enough to reach the corner of the mouth and hang flat against the head. The Bedlington’s neck is long and arched. It is deep at the base and extends into flat shoulders. It should help hold the head high. Both front and back legs are long but the hindlegs appear longer due to the roaching of the back. There is slightly more coat on the legs and it should be straighter than other areas. The pasterns of the forelegs are long and sloping. In the hindlegs, the hocks are turned neither in or out and the stifles are well angled. Long, harelike feet should have the dewclaws removed. A s
Country Of Origin Britain