Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington is a loyal and affectionate dog; an amiable companion that enjoys being the centre of attention.

A playful dog, the Bedlington enjoys interaction with family. It is less comfortable playing with other dogs and often exhibits a pronounced streak of jealousy. Confident and cheeky, it enjoys showing off to the rest of the ‘pack’.

Although calmer and more mild-mannered than most terriers, the Bedlington still possesses a great deal of tenacity and excitability. It does not shy away from fighting other dogs when the need arises, which can become troublesome when picking a fight with a much bigger dog.

The Bedlington is capable of being trained to a high degree, but this needs to be done sensitively and with variety. Bedlingtons tend to get bored easily and seek to try to control the pace of the training. Be consistent and confident with a Bedlington and the rewards will be apparent. Once trained, the Bedlington will be reasonably obedient.

Its heritage as a hunter of vermin is hard to ignore. A Bedlington will be happy to search out small prey all day long if given the opportunity to do so. They are intelligent and tenacious hunters with a reasonably high prey drive.

Bedlingtons are known to be jealous dogs and especially so when encountering other dogs. Be aware though that their jealousy can spill over into their relationship with humans. The dog’s reaction to strangers ranges from being reserved to overly-inquisitive.

A thoroughly independent dog, the Bedlington was bred to work and to hunt by itself. Because of this it is a reliable and trainable dog but it has a tendency to do its own thing if not properly managed. The Bedlington will seek to dominate where it can.

A Bedlington will cope with solitude but only up to a point. Like any dog, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. If a Bedlington is left alone it will become destructive. Terriers are on the whole excellent diggers and chewers but your furniture and carpets are in the firing line of a bored Bedlington.

Bedlington’s do not appreciate being told what to do so training should be forceful yet not overly harsh. Be confident and consistent when training your dog and keep lessons varied. A Bedlington’s intelligence can itself be a challenge to control and to manage.

The Bedlington is a dog that enjoys the sound of its own voice. Its deep, hound-like bark has been likened to the sound of a machine gun.

Bedlington’s are stubborn and enjoy doing things the Bedlington Way. Letting this breed of a lead outside can sometimes be dangerous, because even the best-trained Bedlingtons can lose focus. They are also fast runners, so it is unlikely you will catch your Bedlington in a straight-line sprint.

If it finds itself in an enclosed space or at home for long periods of time without exercise and fresh air the Bedlington will notify you of its displeasure by destroying your furnishings, doors, window sills and carpets. Terriers are chewers and will not let up until you do something to address the problem.

Bedlingtons vary from dog to dog in their eating habits. Some are very particular eaters and can become sick easily by new foods or foods that are marginally out of date. However, others of the breed are capable of eating themselves into obesity.

Barking is a favourite pastime of the Bedlington and it is something that can become a problem. However, the Bedlington’s voice is an excellent early warning system. Someone close to the house whether they are a stranger or not will alert this dog to possible danger.

Not the easiest first dog to have and certainly one to avoid if you have small children. Children should be old enough to understand when to stop boisterous play with a Bedlington; the dog is not overly tolerant of lots of noise and sudden movement. Otherwise an excellent companion (if you don’t mind the barking).

Not a good dog for a flat. A Bedlington requires a large, fenced garden in which it can explore and run around. The garden should be properly fenced. Terriers are expert escapologists and will stop at nothing to catch small furry animals.

The Bedlington should ideally be walked for a minimum of 45 minutes every day. An energetic dog, you will need to buy a good pair of walking boots or trainers if you intend to care for a Bedlington Terrier.

Once trained, a Bedlington is usually obedient. It is comfortable with new surroundings and enjoys new experiences. In fact, this is not a dog that will be happy to stay in one place for a long period of time.

To be raised with cats or to have become used to their presence is preferable for a Bedlington. With a high prey drive, loyalty and firm dominant streak it is not advisable to introduce any other animal into the home of a settled Bedlington.

Bedlingtons require a good amount of socialisation as they grow up, but even then they will be wary of other dogs. If they meet a dog that is unfamiliar to them they have a tendency to challenge it to a duel; if the other dog is the same size as the Bedlington the latter will usually win.

As a sensitive breed the Bedlington will resent being manhandled and played with roughly. It especially does not like to be teased. Its snappy terrier heritage often comes to the fore with young children who do not understand the limit of a dog’s tolerance. Bedlingtons will play nicely if they understand what the game is.

Because it is a dog that requires exercise, interaction, socialisation and grooming the Bedlington may not be the perfect choice of dog for some people of senior years.