This is my standard response when I get emails about the breed. After
reading this, feel free to email me with additional questions at
ashcrofterriers@gmail.com
Hi! I’m glad you inquired about a Bedlington Terrier. This is a lovely breed,
originating in England where they were used on farms and in mines to get
rid of vermin like rats, otter, foxes, badgers and
the like. A long-legged terrier, they are very quick with powerful jaws
and large teeth left over from their days as a hunter. Today they make a
lovely family pet and are a constant source of love and amusement.
The Bedlington Terrier has a soft linty coat, mixed with coarser dark guard
hairs. I get many "ooohs and aaaahs" when people pet my dogs. This coat
requires frequent brushing with a slicker brush, followed by combing.
They can get mats under their armpits, and on their head and legs,
where we keep the coat longer. The standard calls for a coat no longer
than an inch on the body - the longest body coat will be on the topline
and under the chest. Coat can be longer on the head and legs - and in
our show dogs, we keep those quite long. I recommend pet owners shorten
those up - so their dog still looks like a Bedlington Terrier, but is easier to
maintain. Bedlingtons don’t shed, but dead hair will be removed by
brushing and combing.
We get many inquiries from homes concerned about allergies to dogs. Most
allergies are to dander (skin) not fur/hair. Despite this, many allergy
sufferers can live with a Bedlington by following some simple guidelines
like weekly bathing (to reduce dander) and a food supplement for the dog
like
Derm-Caps
to replace the skin’s natural oils that get washed away. These people
should absolutely visit a breeder and test their reactions to a
Bedlington
before making a commitment to buy a dog.
Bedlington Terriers come in three colors and two marking patterns. The
colors
are Liver, Blue and Sandy. The patterns are solid, or with tan points.
As adults the tan pointed dogs look identical to the solids for the most
part, as the points blend into the lighter adult coat. Bedlington
Terriers are
born dark - blues are born black, liver and sandy dogs are born dark
brown. The noticeable difference will be in the skin color and nose/eye pigment.
Blue Bedlingtons have a black nose and eye rim, with a very dark brown
eye. Skin color will be light grey. Liver and Sandy dogs have brown nose
and eye pigment, and a lighter eye. Their skin is pinky-brown. The pups
get lighter and lighter as they approach a year old. As 1 year olds, many Bedlingtons
look white. White is NOT a color listed in the breed standard. By two
years old, they should have color on their bodies, with lighter
heads, and often lighter legs. One of the more interesting aspects of
the breed is how their color is constantly changing, ever so slightly.
Blues will be shades of grey. Liver is a sort of purple-brown color,
while sandy is more of a taupe. When a Bedlington's skin is cut or
bruised, their coat may come in their birth color on that spot. It will
grow back out to adult color over time.
Bedlington
Terriers weigh between 17 and 23 pounds, and are between 15 and 17 ½
inches tall. They are a medium size dog, easy to pick up, and certainly
consider themselves lap dogs given the opportunity. Many times a dog
that will be too big for the show ring will be sold as a pet, giving pet owners the chance
to own a beautiful dog with that one minor "fault". Other reasons for
dogs to be considered pets could be an overbite or underbite, short ears
or kinked tail, or other physical faults.
An honest breeder of champion show
dogs will tell you there are pets in every litter. They cannot show
every dog they breed, so some will be pets for no other reason than
that.
Most Bedlington Terrier puppies will tear, causing eye stains, until they are
about 9 months old. This is due to teething. Tearing beyond that age can
be caused by ingrown eye lashes or ear infections. These dogs should be
examined by your veterinarian. Ear infections are a common problem among
pet owners. Since they don’t shed, hair grows down in the ear canal.
Wax, and subsequently dirt, stick to that hair. This and the dropped
position of the ear make it difficult for air to get in, and ear
infections result. Owners should make cleaning ears and pulling ear hair
a part of their regular care routine, and should verify that their groomer is
also pulling any deep ear hair at the dog’s grooming appointments.
Toenails should also be trimmed regularly to prevent affecting the feet,
and brushing teeth is always a good thing. I use the quiet time while
watching television, during commercials, to trim nails, clean ears,
brush and comb a dog in my lap. The loving attention offsets the "not
much fun" aspect of grooming. A grooming chart can be found on the
Bedlington Terrier Club of America website. Most owners have their dogs
professionally groomed about every six weeks, with brushings and baths
in between at home. The coat tends to pick up and hold things like grass
cuttings, mud, and leaves in the fall. A quick rinse off or brush out of
the legs when dry removes these.
The Bedlington Terrier temperament is lovely. They are very good with children,
and are a very playful dog. Unlike many terrier breeds, they usually get
along fine with other dogs, and can certainly be trained to live
peacefully with a cat (we have a cat that the dogs have been taught to
respect). Puppy kindergarten classes, basic obedience
training and walks in the neighborhood to familiarize them with
different sights and sounds are strongly recommended and will make a
huge difference in your dog’s attitude toward other dogs met on walks,
in class, etc. They are a terrier, and many love to dig holes.
Some will
try to dig out under a fence - that seems to depend upon the individual.
On the same lines, some will bark more than others. They are not usually
"yappy", but will definitely bark if someone comes to the door. After
the initial stages of puppy hood, they will accept any invitation to
play, but will also lie contentedly beside you if quiet time is desired. Bedlingtons by nature will want to chase squirrels, wild rabbits, and
birds. They will not generally just "hang around" with their owner, and
a distraction could have your dog dashing across a street after a
squirrel only to be killed by a car. I do not sell puppies to homes
without a fenced yard or fenced area, or where the dog won’t be on a
leash when walked..... continued below...
Holly and Georgia in Rhode Island
Magic digging for moles
Bedlingtons can be a healthy breed, but prospective owners must do their
homework, and be educated buyers. The Bedlington Terrier breed at one time was
known for being affected with a disease called Copper Toxicosis (CT). A
mutated gene caused copper to build up in their liver and affected dogs
would often die young. Treatments are available, but they are very
expensive and can be very hard for the dog to tolerate, often causing
vomiting. In 1995 a DNA marker test was established to identify dogs
that were "clear", "carrier", or "affected" with CT. Both clear and
carriers dogs make good pets that should live full, healthy lives (as
far as CT is concerned). Prospective Bedlington Terrier buyers should read more
about this at the website for the company that does the test,
www.Vetgen.com .
Vetgen describes the "good" gene as a ‘1’ and the "bad" gene as a ‘2’.
Thus a 1-1 dog is usually clear and not a carrier, a 1-2 is usually a
carrier, and a 2-2 is usually affected. The test is only 98% accurate -
but that’s better than what breeders had before. In 2006 VetGen made a
second test available, to identify whether the # 2 gene had the
mutation/deletion present or not. This allows identification of "good" #
2's. Any breeder that refuses to send you copies of the parents’ DNA
typing and/or biopsy results before you make a deposit on a puppy should
be avoided. Deposits are often required. There are only about 225 Bedlington puppies registered each year in the USA - not many
- and breeders don’t like to turn away good homes only to have a buyer
change their mind later. Deposits usually indicate serious intent and
the breeder will consider those puppies spoken for. Like any breed of
dog, other health problems can occur, although CT is the one most often
associated with this breed. Checks for healthy hearts and eyes on your
puppy’s parents assure that the breeder is being responsible and trying
to breed healthy dogs.
In order to receive the proper socialization within it’s "pack" and with
it’s mother, puppies should not leave their mothers before 8 weeks old.
She has lessons to teach them beyond her nursing and infant care. By 8
weeks old, the puppies should have had their first shots and have been
examined by a veterinarian, and been given a certificate of good health.
I require my buyers to take the puppy to their own vet for a meet ‘n’
greet and an exam within 48 hours of bringing the puppy home. I want
them to be assured they purchased a healthy pet, and to make
appointments with their vet for subsequent shots assuring a healthy
puppyhood for their new family member.
