Bedlington Terrier: The Sweet Dog That Looks Like a Sheep
Bedlington Terrier: The Sweet Dog That Looks Like a Sheep
Written by Silvia Capelli
October 26, 2023
The Bedlington Terrier is a truly unique dog: it resembles a sheep, or more precisely, a sweet little lamb.
Despite its gentle and docile appearance, this dog not only has a strong personality but is also a talented hunter capable of running at high speeds.
In Italy, it is not very well-known, but we have gathered a lot of information about this wonderful breed and will tell you everything we know in this article.
History of the Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier originated in the northeast of Great Britain, in a small village named Bedlington, near the town of Rothbury (Northumberland county).
It takes its current name from the town of Bedlington, but in the past, it was also known as the Rothbury Terrier. The first specimens appear to date back to around 1782.
There is no certainty about which breeds are part of the genealogy of this beautiful dog breed, but it is believed to derive from the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Poodle, Kerry Blue, and Irish Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
It is likely that the Whippet is also in its bloodline, sharing the arched back that lends itself to greater speed, and possibly the Bull Terrier, from which it may get its elongated muzzle.
This charming little dog was not always a companion animal: in England, it was used by gypsies and poachers to hunt foxes and small game on the lands of the nobility of the time.
But given its qualities, this splendid animal quickly caught the attention of the nobles it robbed: in addition to its elegant and graceful appearance, it could count on great endurance and an excellent hunting instinct.
The Bedlington Terrier distinguished itself not only as a small game hunter but also as a "ratter," similar to the highly popular Jack Russell Terrier, hunting rats and other small predators that infested barns and farms, killing chickens and disturbing flocks and livestock. The appearance of the Bedlington was seen as a blessing by local farmers.
And the problem was even more significant in the industrialized cities of England, which were infested with rats that, in addition to causing damage, were carriers of various diseases.
Those who migrated from the countryside to the city often brought their dogs with them specifically to employ them in eliminating unwanted animals.
But the talents of the Bedlington Terrier were far from over: it was indeed its great speed in running that allowed it to find a place in the famous dog races, where it competed not only with other Bedlingtons but also with the renowned greyhounds.
The first breeding that led to the Bedlington Terrier as we know it today was born in Bedlington, thanks to a breeder named Joseph Aynsley.
Around 1820, Joseph Aynsley bought a dog named Peachum and mated it with a female named Phoebe.
The first puppy, and progenitor of the breed, was named Piper, and as history tells us, officially began hunting at the age of eight months and did not stop until he was no longer able to run.
The breed was continually selected to enhance the classic lamb-like appearance that made it famous.
The breed standards were established in 1870, and from 1900 it spread mainly as a companion animal.
Character of the Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is an excellent companion animal. It has a very sweet nature and proves to be an ideal companion for families with children.
It is intelligent, cheerful, and easily trainable, with a strong sense of attachment to its owner and the family in general.
It is tenacious, determined, never gives up, and would do anything to defend its family members.
Unfortunately, everything changes when the dog comes into contact with strangers: its nature as a former hunter makes it rather distrustful of unknown people, to the point of showing signs of aggression.
Therefore, it is a breed that needs to be educated from a young age, in order to keep any potential risky behavior under control.
If trained, it socializes well with both strangers and other animals, although it maintains a somewhat reserved character.
It is a dog that needs a lot of exercise; it is not the ideal breed for those living in rather confined spaces. However, it is an excellent candidate for Agility or other types of competition.
Generally, it does not run away, so it is suitable for life in open spaces and in the countryside. And it does not bark much, which is useful for apartment living.
Curiosities about the Bedlington Terrier
This breed was the favorite of actor Boris Karloff, famous in the 1930s for his role as Frankenstein.
But the main curiosity concerns their beautiful coat: Bedlington Terrier puppies are born dark and lighten over time.
Characteristics of the Bedlington Terrier
For the Bedlington Terrier to be considered purebred, it must have specific characteristics, which we will outline below.
NB: These are the standards set by FCI and ENCI and are therefore valid for Europe. Different standards for size, color, or coat may be accepted by AKC and NKC. For more information, check the standards of the country you are interested in.
The photos on this site may represent both FCI and AKC and NKC standards.
ENCI F.C.I Classification
Group 3 Terriers Section 1
Large and medium-sized Terriers
Without working trial
Dimensions
There is only one size:
Bedlington Terrier weight 8-10 kg, height 41 cm. A slight variation is allowed for females to be smaller, and males to be taller in terms of height at the withers.
Type of Coat and Fur
The Bedlington's coat is thick and soft, with a dense curl well lifted from the skin, high but not rough, and must have good softness. The curl should be very tight, especially on the head and muzzle.
Colors
Blue, liver, or sand, with or without markings. Darker pigment is preferred.
Puppies are born very dark (blues are almost black while sand and liver are born brown) and lighten over time.
Head
Narrow, high, and rounded skull, covered with a silky and abundant tuft that should be almost white.
The nose has wide and well-defined nostrils. Blues and blue-tans must have a black nose. Liver and sand must have a brown nose.
Small, triangular-shaped eyes, with a firm and intense expression. Blues should have dark eyes; tans slightly lighter with amber reflections, liver and sand light hazel.
Body
Muscular and flexible, with a broad chest and flat ribs. Characteristic are the long hare feet with thick and tightly packed pads.
Tail
Moderately long, thick at the base, tapering to the tip, and curved. Set low, never carried above the back.
If you want to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of the Bedlington Terrier for show, you can read the breed standard sheet from ENCI.
Lifespan of the Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier has an average lifespan of about 12 – 14 years, not bad for a former hunter!
The oldest recorded to date lived up to 18 years, but it appears that various specimens have reached 15 years.
Health Issues of the Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a naturally healthy and robust dog, but it can suffer from hereditary diseases common to these types of dogs or from normal canine illnesses. Among the most frequent are:
Otitis, congenital deafness
Food and fur allergies
Canine copper toxicosis (or copper storage disease), a recessive genetic disorder. It involves the accumulation of copper in liver cells due to poor elimination of the metal through bile, leading to liver deterioration. For more information, you can read this study from the National Library of Medicine.
Bedlington Terriers are very active dogs and therefore do not have a natural tendency to gain weight, but apartment living and lack of physical exercise can lead to overweight issues. Therefore, it's important to provide good quality food in the right quantities to avoid future problems such as obesity, diabetes and cholesterol.
Feeding a Bedlington Terrier Puppy
Weaning of a Bedlington puppy begins around 4 weeks of age. From the first month of life, you can start introducing premium puppy food or finely ground meat, starting with one meal a day in combination with mother's milk.
Between the first and second month, meals based on solid food should be given about 3/4 times a day, and three times a day from the second month of life.
Feeding an Adult Bedlington Terrier
For a medium-small sized dog, it is advisable to provide two meals a day to prevent the animal from overeating in the evening and being hungry the rest of the time.
Meals must be balanced and contain the right amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, and minerals.
Dry Food (Dog Kibble)
The simplest choice is to opt for good quality dry food, adhering to the recommended doses for weight and age.
Choose one suitable for small dogs and with the right characteristics for the breed (there are even some varieties on the market specifically for small terriers that are also suitable for the Bedlington Terrier).
Always check the ingredients and especially the vitamin and mineral content, essential for keeping our dogs in shape.
Using wet food as the only alternative is not recommended, but a small amount can be added to make dry food more palatable.
Homemade Dog Diet
If you prefer not to feed dry food and want to cook for your dog, the most suitable choice for preparing homemade food falls on primary products to be mainly boiled.
A mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables(50% – 25% -25%) and a good multivitamin in combination with a glucosamine and omega-3 supplement form the basis of the ideal homemade diet.
If you cook fish at least twice a week, you can do without the omega-3 supplement.
Proteins should be varied: liver once a week, 1 or 2 eggs a week, and the rest divided into different types of meat and fish.
The meat should be deboned, and the fish boneless. Pork, if fed, must be well cooked.
You can slightly vary the percentages of the three food components, but the largest part should always be composed of animal proteins, which are the basis of a correct diet.
For more information on how to properly feed your dog with homemade food, you can follow the suggestions in our guide: "Homemade Diet for Dogs".
The dog is an animal that does not like changes when it comes to food, so it is better to choose one from the beginning and not change the dog's habits later.
Other tips for keeping your Bedlington Terrier in shape
It’s important to remember to periodically deworm both puppies and adult dogs, especially if adopted from shelters, kennels, or private owners.
If you live in high-risk areas, remember to regularly carry out flea and tick prevention. The fur of the Bedlington Terrier makes it an easy target for blood-sucking parasites.
Even if the dog goes out infrequently, its nails should be trimmed regularly to prevent your friend from getting hurt while running.
Poor hygiene predisposes dogs to ear canal infections and deafness. Cleaning the ears is essential to avoid unpleasant odours or conditions such as otoacariasis and bacterial and fungal otitis.
Cleaning your dog's teeth is also very important, as poor hygiene can lead to serious disorders such as gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontitis, and the annoying problem of bad breath.
The fur of the Bedlington Terrier should be cut regularly. Poor coat hygiene can cause dermatitis or other skin problems for your friend.
Who is the Bedlington Terrier breed suitable for
This dog is suitable for families with children and the elderly, provided that the animal is trained from a young age.
It's perfect for active people who give it plenty of exercise, and who are firm when it comes to giving commands.
Ideal for country life or homes with a garden, as it does not have a tendency to run away.
And for those living in an apartment, it is a dog that generally barks little and is a hypoallergenic breed.
Who is the Bedlington Terrier not suitable for
Generally, it is not suitable for first-time owners, as it requires a lot of firmness and a good level of socialization with other animals, as well as with strangers.
Definitely not for those who don’t have the desire or budget to take care of the fur: the coat grows continuously and the dog does not shed, but needs to be groomed and brushed very frequently.
It does not tolerate being alone well, so it is not suitable for those who leave it alone for too long.
I invite all readers to share their experiences on this topic in the comments section.
Any information you wish to share about health, temperament, products, and advice on training or diet will help us create a great community of owners who not only love dogs but also know how to manage them best.
If you found this post helpful and want to learn more about dog care, well-being, and training, we would be happy to help. Find here lots of useful information to better understand your furry friend.
Disclaimer
The information on our site is general in nature and does not in any way replace the advice of a veterinarian or industry experts. For any doubts, always turn to a veterinarian.
Just so you know, we may collect a small commission or other compensation from the links on this page and the site in general, at no additional cost to you. Click on the red link to discover our favourite products!
