Bedlington Terriers

Bedlington Terriers are compact and vivacious dogs, showing exceptional hunting abilities. They measure about 17 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 18-23 pounds. Bedlington Terriers have wooly and curly hair, which is longer on the head and ears. Their fur does not shed, but requires monthly grooming. The dog’s coat comes in liver, blue and sandy, sometimes with tan markings.

Bedlington Terriers are renowned for their speediness and endurance. Their front legs are structured in such a way that the feet are closer together than the elbows, which enables them to promptly turn around and change direction in the field. Bedlington Terriers are very people-oriented and friendly. However, they are notably assertive in arguments, and are even known to have had a presence in the history of dog-fighting.

Bedlington Terriers can withstand long runs and are known to do very well in different terrains. They are great swimmers, and can well be used as water hunters. Bedlington Terriers are famous for their knack for hunting fox and badger. Despite their merry and friendly general appearance, they appear to lose all self-restraint in arguments, and it takes quite an effort to calm down a Bedlington Terrier. These dogs are quite territorial and protective around their loved ones. Puppies require thorough socialization.

These dogs appreciate daily activity and show readiness to do whatever their owners ask of them. They are usually good with children, but are not recommended for families keeping other pets, since they, like all terriers, may pick on them as quarry. However, they do not usually harm other animals if raised together. Bedlington Terriers do not like it when there is no one around to play with and may become noisy and destructive.

This breed is prone to a number of hereditary diseases, showing high occurrence of Copper Storage Disease, resulting in Copper Toxicosis, a mortally dangerous poisoning. This is a serious liver problem, which can be diagnosed by liver biopsy. In order to avoid unpleasant situations, it is recommended to buy puppies only from reputable breeders paying due attention to the breed’s genetic makeup and putting their dogs to genetic testing. Dogs diagnosed with this condition should not be admitted to any breeding program. Bedlington Terriers are also susceptible to eye problems, kidney failure and thyroid diseases.