Bedlington terrier

History of origin

Today it is generally accepted that modern Bedlington Terriers came to Europe along with nomadic gypsy camps. The task of the dogs was to quickly and, if possible, imperceptibly drag chickens, geese and turkeys from the master’s yards. And since the camps made stops, sometimes quite long ones, the gypsy dogs had time to leave offspring. The result is very active and efficient terriers, experts in hunting small game.

Later, these dogs were crossed with other medium-sized working terriers, in particular with the Dandy Dinmont, as well as with small greyhounds – the Whippet and the Greyhound. The result exceeded all expectations: the new breed boasted both outstanding working qualities and a sophisticated appearance.

Today, the Bedlington Terrier, which got its name from a place in the English county of Northumberland, is an excellent hunter of small game: rats, rabbits, hamsters and even badgers, as well as a favorite of all exhibitions with an attractive appearance. In our country, these terriers have been known since Soviet times, although they were very few then. Today, the breed is gaining more and more fans.

Breed description

White cloudy, gentle doe – these are the epithets that come to mind when you first look at the Bedlington Terrier. However, this is a serious hunter, a very active dog of athletic build with pronounced muscles and a toned body. The leanness, apparently, went to these dogs from their greyhound ancestors, and the haircut emphasizes such a structure even more.

The head is wedge-shaped, the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is somewhat smoothed out, and the shape of the haircut smooths it out completely, like a bull terrier. The ears are long, hanging, the nose is black, the eyes are medium in size with an attentive and intelligent look. The tail is set low, often curled at the end.

The coat is fluffy, wavy (but not curly), lush. The molt is almost not expressed. Needs a haircut. Usually a “cap” is left on the muzzle in order to visually completely smooth the transition from the forehead to the sea, on the trunk and limbs. Tassels are created at the tips of the ears. The color is blue, sandy, liver or golden brown. There are completely white dogs, but the palm is given to more saturated and colored colors.

Photos

Character

The Bedlington Terrier is a true friend and protector of the family. And his small size is absolutely not a hindrance, because he has the nobility of a wolf and the mind of a fox. His small and at the same time such a big heart beats only for the sake of his people.

Cheerful and active, Bedlington regards children as equals and is ready to mess around with them day and night. Any, preferably, outdoor games – this is what he will always take part in. The main thing is to have more action, noise and fun. However, at the same time, the “sheep” are excellent watchmen and will fight to the death with those who decide to encroach on the property of their owners. And if several Bedlingtons gather together, then it is better for any enemy to retreat immediately, because such a flock is truly dangerous. It cannot be said that these dogs are characterized by aggression, but the fact that they are absolutely fearless and always ready to fight to the end is an indisputable fact.

Bedlingtons are incredibly owner-oriented, so they often show jealousy if he got himself a new object of love, be it another dog, cat or newborn baby.

Care and maintenance

The main difficulty in keeping Bedlington Terriers is caring for their beautiful fur coat. On the one hand, these dogs practically do not shed, but on the other hand, a person has to constantly comb them out and take them to the groomer, because the right haircut is half the success at the exhibition. Today, the Bedlington Terrier is, on the one hand, an exhibition decorative breed, and all the efforts of breeders are aimed at maintaining its excellent shape, but on the other hand, they still occupy one of the leading places among the working terriers of their class. Therefore, do not neglect the haircut of your dogs, because they are not able to shed on their own. It is also necessary to remove the hair in his ears, which is convenient to do with tweezers.

Like all terriers, Bedlingtons love outdoor activities, that is, the opportunity to run in the bosom of nature and play outdoor games. So, if you do not have time to walk your dog for several hours a day, it is better not to link your fate with this particular breed.

Education and training

Early socialization is what the new Bedlington owner needs to throw all his strength into. To do this, try to get your dog in contact with other people as much as possible from early childhood. Let strangers pet the puppy, and the children also treat him with treats – let the dog from childhood form the opinion that all people are only good. After all, if this is not done, the Bedlingtons have a chance to grow up quite unfriendly.

Like all four-legged hunters, they can be quite stubborn, so be prepared for the fact that in the process of training you will have to make an effort to gain authority from the wayward “sheep”. At the same time, these dogs are very smart, so if your dog does not obey you, it is not because he does not understand what they want from him, but he simply considers the fulfillment of the requirement inappropriate.

Health and disease

The Bedlington Terrier is not a sickly dog, but he also has certain problems. These include diseases of the eyes, liver (more often these problems begin in the second half of life), the endocrine system, and joints. Diseases of the kidneys and liver can also be hereditary.

Fleas often start in its thick voluminous fur coat, and ticks can also cling to it, so the prevention of ectoparasites should never be neglected, especially in the warm season.

Also, white dogs can suffer from allergies, so it is better to exclude potential allergens from the diet in advance.

Word to the breeder

Angelina Zhiltsova from Chita, daughter of the breeder of the Mon Amodo kennel: “The Bedlington Terrier is a very active and temperamental dog. Learns quickly, grasping literally on the fly. In terms of severity, it depends on the individual dog. We have 3 bedlingtons. The boy is cheerful, sociable and mischievous. The bitch and her daughter are more calm, but also not averse to frolic.

Olga Zinoviev from the city of Dolgoprudny, the owner of the nursery “S long ponds”: “The breed is very interesting! A wolf in sheep’s clothing – for all its toy appearance, a serious, hunting breed. They themselves are not in conflict, but they can stand up for themselves. Very family dog, does not shed. Comfortable for family living.

Popular questions and answers

We talked about the contents of bedlingtons with zoo engineer, veterinarian Anastasia Kalinina.