Bedlington Terrier

Also known as: Rothbury Terrier

Named after the English mining town of Bedlington, this terrier looks at first glance like a small lamb thanks to its thick, curly coat and rounded head. The coat sheds very little and is often considered hypoallergenic relative to most breeds, but it needs regular professional trimming to keep its signature shape. Weighing up to 10.2 kilograms, it hides a surprisingly fast, athletic dog under that soft look, one that pit workers once used to hunt rats and other vermin in and around the coal mines. Despite the gentle appearance, the Bedlington can be quite feisty with other dogs, particularly of the same sex. At home its temperament tends to be affectionate and mild. Life expectancy runs 14 to 17 years, among the longest of any terrier breed.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Bedlington Terrier: how old in human years?

41–44 cmHeight
8–10.2 kgWeight
14–17 yrsLife expectancy

Fox Terrier (Smooth)

FCI group: Terriers
FCI section: Section 1: Large and medium sized Terriers
FCI: 9
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

4/5

At a glance

Height

Males 41–44 cm

Females 41–44 cm

Weight

Males 8–10.2 kg

Females 8–10.2 kg

Life expectancy

14–17 yrs

Coat

thick, linty, non-shedding (wire-haired)

Temperament & Family Life

Bedlington Terrier's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Bedlington Terrier's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 3/5
Apartment friendly 4/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 3/5

Guarding & Alertness

Bedlington Terrier's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Bedlington Terrier's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 1/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 4/5

Living with the Bedlington Terrier

There is a lamb on your sofa. Outside, at the sight of a hare, it turns into something closer to a greyhound: the arched back straightens and within seconds it is at the far end of the field. The Bedlington's looks are deceptive, because under the soft wool lives a real terrier with a strong urge to chase, so in open country keep it on a lead or let it run only where the space is fenced.

It needs a good walk every day and a chance to sprint, but it does not demand marathons: once it has let off steam it turns calm at home and dozes happily. It is clever and keen to learn, especially when training is gentle and varied, since a harsh tone offends it more than it convinces it. It settles well in a flat and barks only when it really has something to say.

In the family a Bedlington is affectionate and loyal, likes to be close by and gets along well with children. It is friendly enough with other dogs but will not back down if provoked, so first meetings are worth watching. Strangers get a polite, unexcited welcome, and in the evening, when the day's adventures are over, its favourite spot is wherever you are.

Grooming and coat

A Bedlington's coat is a mix of soft and slightly harsher wool that hardly sheds, but it keeps growing and it tangles. So there will be no hair on your sofa, yet the comb needs to come out several times a week, right down to the skin, especially behind the ears, in the armpits and on the chest, where mats form first. Every six to eight weeks the dog needs a groomer to restore that lamb silhouette, with the topknot on the head and the tassels on the ear tips. As you comb, check the skin: a pale coat shows redness or flaking clearly.

The groomer can trim the hair around the eyes, and once a week you can wipe the corners with a damp cloth. The long, hanging ears get little air, so lift them regularly and look inside: they should be clean and odour-free, and hair in the ear canal is best left to the groomer. After a walk through wet grass or snow, comb out the clumps caught in the coat, because that soft wool collects them like a jumper.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

The Bedlington Terrier is one of the longer-lived dogs around: fourteen years together is a realistic hope, and some reach seventeen. Its health story has a special chapter on the liver, and beyond that the knees and eyes are worth watching. None of this means your dog will be unwell; these are simply the areas to keep an eye on together with your vet.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Copper-associated hepatitis

This is an inherited condition in which the liver cannot clear copper properly, so it builds up little by little and damages the organ. For a long time the dog can look perfectly well, then become listless, lose its appetite, vomit, lose weight, or show yellowish whites of the eyes or gums. A genetic test exists for Bedlington Terriers, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing, and take any of these signs to your vet without delay.
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecap)

The kneecap, a small bone at the front of the knee, can slip out of its groove and pop back in. You might see your Bedlington, mid-race with another dog, suddenly take a few bounds on three legs and then carry on. In such a quick, supple dog the skip can look almost comic, but if it keeps coming back, show it to your vet.
Eye problems

This covers a range of eye disorders, from tear and eyelid troubles to changes inside the eye that can dim the sight. You may notice a red, weepy or cloudy eye, squinting, or a dog that moves less surely at dusk. A Bedlington's eyes are small and deep-set, framed by soft hair, so look at them up close now and then and show any change to your vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (10 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 155 g of dry food a day, from €8,48 a month For a neutered, normally active 9,1 kg dog. Calculate for your dog