In this article on our site we will talk about one of the oldest breeds in all of Great Britain, charismatic and much appreciated by English hunters and miners centuries ago. We are referring to the bedlington terrier, a dog breed that is the product of a mix between poodles and whippets, as well as dandies dinmont terriers. Some say that Bedlington Terriers are like miniature sheep, as their fluffy white fur makes them look like sheep.
Do you want to know more about these “mining dogs”? Keep reading and discover the c characteristics of bedlington terrier dogs, their care and much more.
Origin of the bedlington terrier
The Bedlington Terriers originated in the town of Bedlington, from which they took their name and where they were greatly appreciated by the locals. But it was not by chance that they held them in such high esteem, since these dogs helped them keep their mines clean of animals such as rats. Later, they began to be used as hunting dogs, as well as to have them as companion dogs.
These terriers are the result of crosses between three different dog breeds. On the one hand, we find the poodles, from which they have inherited the curly and woolly coat; on the other hand there are the whippets and the dandie dinmont terriersIt is also related to other breeds such as otterhounds.
Although the exact date of appearance of the breed is not known, it is estimated that Bedlington terriers already existed in the 1880s. A century later the Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in Great Britain and another century later, in 1967, the American Kennel Club already collected its official standard.
Characteristics of the bedlington terrier
Bedlington terriers are medium-sized dogs, weighing between 7, 7 and 10 kilograms, being even regardless of sex of the specimen. The height at the withers does vary depending on whether it is male or female, so that in the case of them the standard establishes that the height must be between 41 and 44 centimeters, while for females it is between 38. and 42 cm. The life expectancy of the Bedlington Terrier is usually between 12 and 14 years.
Continuing with the characteristics of the bedlington terrier, the head has a rounded wedge shape, with small, almond-shaped eyes. They have a long, thin snout, without a stop Their ears are triangular, but with rounded tips, looking more oval, they hang on the sides of the face and are of low insertion.
Despite all of the above, without a doubt, the most outstanding characteristic of the Bedlington Terrier is its hair, which gives it a very particular physical appearance. Due to the standard breed cut that most guardians usually make, their unstoppable muzzle looks even more pronounced and marked. Thus, the coat of bedlington terriers is long, dense and curly, making look like a sheep, or rather a sweet little lamb. This coat is dense and stringy, but not rough to the touch, the length of the hair according to the standard should not be greater than 2.5-3 cm. It usually appears curly, especially on the head, where it gathers in a long lock, and the face. Accepted bedlington terriercolors are blue, liver, or sand with or without tan markings.
Bedlington Terrier Character
Dogs of the Bedlington Terrier breed stand out for having a tenacious and courageous character At the same time, they are very trusting dogs. This mixture makes Bedlingtons animals that are not afraid to face dangers or challenges, being at the same time friendly and affectionate
Highlights his high level of intelligence and above all his nobility. Thanks to all these factors, it is understandable why although they were previously used as mining dogs, the locals decided to take them as companion dogs, sharing their homes with these docile and affectionate specimens.
They are dogs balanced, calm and fantastic for coexistence with children, elderly people, other dogs…, they also adapt perfectly to both flats such as houses or farmland.
Bedlington Terrier Care
These curious puppies that are the bedlingtons are quite active, not nervous, so we have to bear in mind that they will need to do physical exercisedaily. It is recommended that this exercise be at least one hour a day, and we can do it in the form of walks or with games and recreational activities, specifically they love the tracking games
The Bedlington's coat is quite grateful, although laborious, because if we use a suitable brush for its dense and long hair, it is not too complicated to maintain. Of course, we must brush it daily In this sense, it may take us a long time until we learn to do it well and until the animal gets used to it. Once the habit is acquired, it is estimated that brushing will take about 5 minutes a day. In this way, if we adopt a bedlington terrier puppy, it is recommended to get him used to these brushes as soon as possible. In case of adopting an adult dog, we will also have to start it positively first the presence of the brush and, little by little, the act of brushing the hair.
The coat not only needs to be brushed, but it has to be trimmed by a dog groomer approximately every 2 months, so we will keep the hair at an appropriate length and easy to maintain.
Bedlington Terrier Education
The bedlington terrier dog is a fairly balanced breed, however, if it is not educated correctly we can run into some pitfalls. One of the problems that most worries the owners of these dogs is that due to their hunting instinct, if they have not been accustomed to them from an early age, they may be unwilling to share their home with other pets, being especially problematic their coexistence with cats or rodents But, as we have said, this is solved with good socialization, getting both parties used to living in harmony.
Regarding the education of the bedlington terrier and its training, it should be noted that there is also the problem that these dogs love to dig and bark, which can result in damage and complaints from neighbors. To avoid this, we can consult a specialized behavior modification trainer, who will give us good advice to solve it. As for the fact of digging and chasing, we can give them an outlet by preparing for them search and stalking games , thus channeling their taste for these activities. In the end, the important thing is not to deprive the dog of doing something that he likes and is part of his nature, but to guide him to teach him to perform these activities properly.
Diseases of the bedlington terrier
Although bedlington puppies and adults are not usually animals that suffer from many diseases, we can say that they tend to develop diseases related to excess copper in the blood, because these dogs cannot eliminate this mineral well. To avoid the accumulation of copper, the bedlington terrier must follow a diet approved by our veterinarian, avoiding foods such as bread, large fish or sauces rich in this element. If we regulate his diet we can prevent him from developing diseases such as hepatitis , which is called copper hepatotoxicosisAlthough it is a hereditary disease, if we take the pertinent measures we can delay the appearance of this disease.
Bedlingtons can also present eye disorders such as cataracts, retinal dysplasia or epiphora, so frequent veterinary check-ups are recommended to detect possible alterations and remedy them as soon as possible.
In addition, we must keep our pet properly vaccinated and dewormed, and take care of the good condition of its eyes, mouth and ears, in order to enjoy a he althy and happy pet.
Curiosities
Bedlington terriers are considered hypoallergenic dogs, because although they have abundant hair, it does not usually cause allergies. In addition, they do not shed too much hair, so they are an ideal option for those who, although they are allergic, want to share their home with a dog.
