Bedlington Terrier: photo and description of the breed, maintenance and care

History of the origin of the breed

The Bedlington breed was developed in the 18th century in England. Surprisingly, the documents even preserve information about one of the first representatives of the breed - the dog Old Flint, who lived at the end of the century in the small town of Rothbury. At that time, England was literally at war with small rodents and dogs served as rat hunters. They became especially popular in the mining town of Bedlington, from which they got their name.

Soon these terriers began to be taken on real hunts for rabbits, foxes, and other small animals. In addition to hunting, terriers were used for baiting, which is why they became more aggressive.

Later, dog breeders realized that Bedlingtons needed serious work on their temperament and conformation. By eliminating unnecessary aggression and making the appearance of terriers more vibrant, dog lovers finally got their own club and set a breed standard.

Origin and first international standard

The breed appeared in the small English town of Bedlington, in honor of which the dog got its name. It was bred to combat rodents that breed in large numbers in mining areas. Subsequently, terriers became constant companions of hunters, including poachers. Local residents were well aware of the extraordinary abilities of terriers, their courage and endurance. Those who lived in the villages used dogs against wild animals.

2-3 Bedlington Terriers were able to neutralize a bear, not to mention smaller representatives of the fauna. It was rumored that these dogs could destroy dozens of rats and also dodge bullets.

Currently, it is difficult to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. However, some dog handlers believe in such legends. Be that as it may, the fact remains: the breed gradually gained popularity among the British. It got to the point that the cute sheep became interested in the British Queen herself. The monarch loved the sheep-like dog so much that she made it her favorite.

Beginning in 1867, terrier owners began to actively take their pets to specialized exhibitions. Every year the appearance of dogs has changed. In addition, during the process of evolution, the nature of animals also changed. Not all breed lovers took such changes for granted; many of them opposed them.

True connoisseurs of the breed created a club for purebred terrier lovers, as a result of which several types of the breed existed in England for some period. Today there are practically no differences between them.

Description of the breed

The dog's build resembles that of a hound. The head is narrow, shaped like a pear, the muzzle goes down slightly. The neck is high and muscular. The chest is deep, with somewhat prominent, noticeable ribs. The hind legs are longer than the front legs. The terrier's tail resembles a saber. The eyes are deep-set, triangular in shape and brown in color. The nose is wide, and the lips are dry and pressed tightly to the jaw. The nose and lips of terriers are always black.

Weight and height

Bedlington Terriers are a small breed, the height at the withers reaches 38-42 cm in females and 41-44 cm in males, with a weight of 11 kg, which allows them to be kept in an apartment.

Color and coat

The Bedlington's coat is soft and silky, with a little curl. Its color can be very diverse: from snow-white to red-brown. But more often there are representatives whose coat is light in color. At the same time, the coat on the head of dogs is always longer and lighter than on the entire body.

Breed standard

The Bedlington Terrier in the photo looks well-cut and graceful. With a height at the withers of up to 43 cm, the dog’s weight does not exceed 10 kilograms. The shape of the head resembles a pear, the skull is wide, the cheekbones are pronounced, and the stop is not too distinct and smooth. The bridge of the nose is straight, and the lobe itself is large, its pigmentation matches the color.

The strong jaws are tenacious and equipped with an even row of teeth. The bite is correct, scissor-shaped. The dog looks at the world with small, deep-set eyes, which are located at a fairly large distance from each other. They resemble a triangle in shape, and their color is in harmony with the color.

They can be either black or dark brown or even nut or light. The lightest eyes are amber brown. The ears are medium-sized, low set, thin, hanging along the cheekbones. They are covered with short fur, resembling a fringe at the ends. They are often cut like tassels.

The neck is quite long and muscular, rather looks dry and has no dewlap. Smoothly flows into an elegant body with a wide, developed chest. The back has a dome shape in the lumbar region. The withers are weakly expressed, and the croup is short, with a slope. The stomach is toned, athletic, the groin lines are selected.

The dog's tail has a medium set, it is long, reminiscent of a whip, tapering towards the end. The limbs are parallel to each other, they are straight and slightly elongated. The paws are round, compactly shaped, equipped with elastic pads with dark pigmentation.

To the touch, the fur is thick, fluffy, with rings and curls, strands, and the hair itself is soft and silky. Colors range from black and silver to sand, liver and even blue. Sometimes there are dogs with red-brown colors. Their cost is higher than other variations, because they are quite rare.

But completely white dogs, albinos, are not a plus, but rather a minus, and a significant one. This coloring is not allowed for exhibitions, and therefore is not that expensive. Among breeders, white color is considered a defect, and a self-respecting nursery does not accept such puppies for sale.

Character and behavioral characteristics

Bedlington Terriers can be quite stubborn and strive to match their humans. But at the same time, they are smart enough to train and socialize them. To cope with the dog’s temperament, the owner has to constantly train the dog, not only physically, but also intellectually. The history of the development of this type of terrier has preserved their fighting qualities, therefore, on the orders of the owner, the dog can show harshness and even cruelty towards other animals or people.

Their willful and freedom-loving temperament brings a lot of trouble to their owners, so it is not recommended to own such dogs if you have insufficient experience working with dogs. Naturally, there can be no talk of any friendship with children in this situation. In general, Bedlingtons, like other terriers, are active, fearless and loving. They can protect their family and home, although with proper training they will not go beyond loud barking.

Health

Characteristic diseases

Bedlingtons are generally in good health, but like all breeds they are prone to certain health conditions.

Not all dogs will survive these diseases, but it is important to be aware if you are looking to buy a Bedlington Terrier.

Copper toxicosis: an inherited disease that leads to the accumulation of copper in the body. Recently, the development of DNA testing makes it possible to weed out sick dogs and carriers and remove them from the gene pool.
Patella dislocation: trauma or congenital. The dislocation may be virtually asymptomatic or acute with intense pain and limping. In severe cases, surgical correction may be required.
Renal hypoplasia: occurs when one or both kidneys develop abnormally. The dog develops kidney failure. The first sign is increased thirst, which leads to increased urination.
Retinal dysplasia: This is a defect from birth. In most cases it does not lead to vision loss. Veterinary ophthalmologists test and identify the disease when the puppy is between 7 and 12 weeks of age. Dysplasia does not affect the dog's ability to function as a companion, but affected dogs should not be bred.

The Bedlington Terrier quickly finds a common language with children, and they often become best friends.

Vaccinations

Traditionally, vaccinations are given to puppies at 9 and 12 weeks, and to adult dogs - once a year. Before the procedure, you should be given an anti-worm medication.

Education and training

Bedlington Terriers are highly trainable. With the right approach, an experienced owner can raise an obedient, non-aggressive pet. The stubbornness and willfulness of the animal requires the owner to create such conditions during training when the dog enjoys following commands, so it is better to choose play tactics. But at the same time, from a very early age, the dog must know its place and be able to see the boundaries of what is permitted. Even cute pranks should not get away with your pet. The owner must be even more willful and stubborn than the terrier, and his dominance in the relationship will have to be proven.

The owner of such a dog must remember the hunting skills of his shaggy friend and allow him to use his instincts. It is useful to perform exercises similar to hunting during training. It is absolutely necessary to attend agility classes for those dogs that you really plan to take hunting in the future.

Diseases

The breed is prone to several serious diseases:

copper toxicosis;
distichiasis;
retinal dysplasia.

All of them are related to the characteristics of the dog. Toxicosis occurs when a large amount of copper accumulates in the animal's body. In this case, the liver suffers the most. Disease can only be avoided if the dog’s diet is strictly controlled.

Distichiasis and dysplasia occur due to the special structure of the animal’s eyes. The owner should regularly take care of eye hygiene and, if symptoms of disease appear, immediately contact a specialist. A healthy Bedlington can live 12-14 years.

Health and life expectancy

Bedlingtons are very strong and hardy dogs. With proper care and maintenance, they rarely get sick. There are a number of diseases to which dogs of this breed are most predisposed. These are copper toxicosis of the liver and eye diseases: distichiasis, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy.

The Bedlington Terrier is a long-living breed. The average lifespan is 14 years, but some of these dogs have celebrated their 20th birthday.

Hunting

Today, Bedlington rarely participates in real hunting for foxes, badgers, rabbits and other animals living in burrows. But owners often organize a hunting game for their pets, called agility. At their core, such games are real sports and dogs fully realize their hunting skills during training.

In principle, a dog that has undergone agility training may well participate in a real hunt. This will even be useful for the dog, as it will allow him to actively spend time and spend all his accumulated energy. But at the same time, during simple walks, the Bedlington will have to be kept exclusively on a leash, since it can perceive any small animal as an object of hunting.

Dog care

The main concern for the Bedlington Terrier concerns the animal's delicate fur. Here you need to follow a few basic rules:

Brush the coat regularly with a brush and slicker.
Provide haircuts at least 3-4 times a year.
Wash as needed, as these dogs are very clean and rarely get dirty outside.

In addition to caring for the fur, the owner must clean the animal’s ears, eyes and teeth. This will avoid a large number of infectious diseases. There are no other difficulties regarding content.

Maintenance and care

If the distant ancestors of the Bedlington were kept mostly in barns and other outbuildings, now representatives of the breed live in houses and apartments. They are more gentle and pampered, they need comfort.

Although, thanks to their dense undercoat, such dogs can withstand low temperatures, heat is worse for them than cold.

The Bedlington does not require a lot of space in the house. It is important to set up a place for it from day one. We arrange the bed so that the pet has the opportunity to observe the household members.

Place toys near the bed, among which there is always a ball (terriers’ favorite pastime).

The required physical activity for representatives of this breed is average. If the weather outside is bad or you are desperately short of time, you can limit yourself to walking to the nearest place where the pet is usually used to relieve its natural needs.

This does not mean that the Bedlington does not need long walks at all. It is imperative that you take your terrier for a full walk at least three times a week. Arrange active games for him. Give them the opportunity to run and jump as much as possible; mental exercise is also important.

If you live in a private house and want to let your Bedlington run around the yard on its own, take into account the ability of these dogs to jump high, climb different heights and make digs. Make sure that the area is securely fenced with a high fence.

It is not recommended to let your terrier off a leash in public places. He runs very fast, and due to his hunting instinct, he often chases cats or other animals.

In winter, it is not necessary to wear a Bedlington when walking. He is not afraid of frost, and digs in snowdrifts as if in warm sand or in piles of fallen leaves.

But in the fall, in wet, rainy weather, you will need a raincoat that will protect the animal’s fur from dirt and raindrops.

To make the Bedlington Terrier look beautiful and healthy, the following procedures must be carried out:

Brush every day.
Professional haircut once every 1.5-2 months. With a little training, the owner can trim the pet’s hair on his own. But if the Bedlington participates in exhibitions, it is worth contacting a grooming specialist who specializes in haircuts characteristic of this breed.
Once every 30-40 days we pluck out excess hairs from the ears.
After each walk, I wash my belly, paws and groin, removing dust and dirt. It is recommended to wash the paws using special products that prevent the appearance of cracks on the pads.
We bathe pets once every six months or when absolutely necessary. We bathe show Bedlingtons before the show. It is important to know that frequent bathing can cause the Bedlington's curls to disappear.
We brush our teeth 2-3 times a week using a special paste and brush.
We trim our nails once a month.
We wipe our eyes as necessary, examining them for signs of inflammation and injuries.
The Bedlington's ears are droopy, so ear discharge often accumulates in them and there is high humidity. If you don't clean your ears regularly, infections and inflammation may occur.

Feeding a Bedlington Terrier requires a serious approach and some knowledge. The fact is that representatives of the breed need dietary nutrition. All due to a predisposition to liver disease (copper toxicosis).

Even adults are fed more than twice a day (3-4 times). The daily intake should be divided into small portions.

When feeding naturally, it is recommended to include rice, fish and meat broth in the diet. Types of meat and fish should not be fatty. In this case, we cook the porridge in plain water, and add broth before feeding.

Grate raw vegetables. Eggs, pieces of rabbit and turkey meat, and slices of boiled pumpkin are suitable treats for the terrier.

Prohibited foods: pickled, smoked, sweet, chocolate. You should also not feed your Bedlington potatoes, legumes, or tubular bones.

It is important to provide your dog with vitamin and mineral supplements and fresh, clean, cool water.

If you feed your terrier with ready-made food, buy only premium food.

Feeding

Due to a genetic predisposition to accumulate copper in the liver and throughout the body, Bedlington Terriers require a special approach to nutrition. Unlike most other species, feeding this breed with dry professional food is not recommended. In some cases, this type of food is allowed, but on the condition that the food has premium or super-premium status.

If the choice still stops at natural products, then the diet should contain:

beef;
chicken;
a large number of by-products;
sea fish (no more than 2-3 times a week);
rice;
millet;
buckwheat;
red vegetables;
dairy products.

Potatoes, sausages, and all sweets should be completely excluded from the animal’s diet, and the diet of an adult dog is reduced to two feedings per day. Snacks are not allowed. To make sure that your diet does not harm your liver, you must undergo regular tests and consult with a specialist.

Bedlington Terrier

“None of the positive qualities of the Bedlington, however, compare with its vitality and resistance to disease. Fragility and tenderness are deceptive, and steel muscles play under the soft, fluffy fur, and the charming sheep's head hides a truly “wolf” mouth with powerful jaws. You can keep a Bedlington Terrier all your life, but you will never know its essence. The true Bedlington Terrier manifests itself in extreme cases when you are in real danger. Only then will he demonstrate his uncontrollable rage and bulldog grip.
The ability to jump to the height of a human, steel jaws, and unique resourcefulness protect the dog well and make it a serious opponent. The Bedlington's nimble body is almost invulnerable to impact. But, which is typical, it cannot be set against a person on purpose, and one cannot simply cause rage and anger. These qualities flare up in him only in case of real danger.”
Dogs of this breed are very affectionate and obedient. Bedlington is very clean, does not smell, does not shed, so carpets and armchairs will never have to be cleaned of rings of silky, pleasant-to-touch wool. The Bedlington is an ideal companion who will happily live in your interests, will never disturb you if you are busy, and will happily accompany you everywhere, gets along well with children and other pets. At home, at a party, in transport - this is a meek, obedient sheep, more like a toy. Even when playing, it does not create noise and does not disturb the order in the apartment. For travel lovers, we can add that the small, flexible and flexible dog can handle the road well. Bedlington is a little baby. These dogs remain in excellent shape until old age.
The only drawback: Bedlington does not tolerate disrespectful, rude, familiar treatment either from people or from fellow tribesmen. However, for a person who feels the inner world of a dog, values an equal partnership, and respects the dog’s personality, this is not a drawback, but a positive thing. It is widely known to be one of the easiest breeds to train. Although, for the sake of truth, I note that the Bedlington is not so much trained as raised. He can be taught almost anything. Normal human speech, and no effort in the voice; the dog grasps everything almost on the fly. An interesting fact is that Eugene Blue Beauty Squill, who lives in Russia, began practicing agility at the age of 9.5 and achieved great success in this field. Stories from the breed’s past are no less impressive: in rat baiting competitions (now banned), Bedlingtons killed up to 100 animals in 10 minutes. There are cases where a dog dodged a rifle shot at close range. And what is the story about how three Bedlingtons were able to stop and hold the bear until the rangers arrived. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Bedlingtons were truly versatile dogs: they hunted with them, they took part in dog racing and circus performances. The modern Bedlington Terrier is an elegant, graceful, flexible, muscular dog with no signs of weakness or roughness, about 41 cm at the withers (a slight downward deviation is acceptable for females and upward for males), an adult weight ranges from 8.2-10.4 kg . The FCI standard defines the following color options: blue, liver (liver), sand with or without tan. Preference is given to rich colors. Blues and blues and tans must have black noses, while frances and sandals must have brown noses. Unlike most terriers, the Bedlington's coat is not plucked, and a magnificent hairstyle that emphasizes grace and elegance is created using scissors. Caring for the coat is simple: it is advisable to comb the dog once every two days - this stimulates hair growth and the coat is less susceptible to tangles, and it is necessary to cut it once every one to two months. The breed has sustained popularity in many countries around the world, although there has never been a boom in it. Bedlingtons are most popular in aristocratic circles in the most developed countries, remaining among the most expensive and rare dog breeds. Russian Bedlingtons are successfully exhibited at European and world cynological forums, becoming Champions and Vice-Champions of the World and Europe; Young World and European Champions, which indicates the high quality and competitiveness of our dogs.
To summarize, I would like to say that the Bedlington Terrier is a breed for extraordinary, intelligent people, an excellent companion for those who value self-esteem, loyalty and intelligence in a dog.
Expert RKF-FCI, Vladimir Tarasov (Tolyatti)

How to choose a puppy

Typically, Bedlington Terrier puppies are purchased at about two months of age. In this case, it is necessary to evaluate the behavior and appearance of the animal. A healthy puppy is active, cheerful and extremely sociable, with shiny coat and clean, clear eyes.

It would be good if, before selling, the animal was accustomed to combing, washing, and other grooming procedures. This will allow the new owner to quickly find a common language with the animal, avoiding unnecessary aggressiveness and dissatisfaction on his part.

Origin and first international standard

2-3 Bedlington Terriers were able to neutralize a bear, not to mention smaller representatives of the fauna. It was rumored that these dogs could destroy dozens of rats and also dodge bullets.

True connoisseurs of the breed created a club for purebred terrier lovers, as a result of which several types of the breed existed in England for some period. Today there are practically no differences between them.

Price and where to buy a puppy

It is best to buy a dog from a professional breeder or kennel. In this case, you can be sure that the baby’s pedigree contains only purebred ancestors, and the puppy himself will be given all the relevant documents. A puppy bought secondhand may be too aggressive, since neither he nor his parents most likely received professional education and training. The cost of a terrier varies from 45 to 70 thousand rubles.

Briefly about the main thing:

Bedlingtons were bred in England primarily to kill mice.
The breed has excellent fighting, guard and hunting qualities.
The build is similar to a hound, but the soft curly hair and unusual head shape make the dogs similar to sheep.
Puppies learn well if training is structured in the form of exciting games.
They require a special approach to feeding due to their tendency to copper toxicosis.
It is better to buy a puppy from a nursery starting from 45,000 rubles.

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