Bedlington Terrier

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How to pronounce Bedlington Terrier: bed·luhng·tuhn teh·ree·uh

Bedlington Terriers are small, moderately active dogs originating from England. Often compared to lambs in appearance, Bedlington Terriers’ fleecy coat can be any colour, but is often white or grey.

From digging and chasing, to playing and snoozing. Natural dog behaviours aren’t breed-specific. But with each pooch comes their own loveable quirks, as well as some important things to consider.

If you’re thinking about giving a Bedlington Terrier a forever home, here are some key facts that might help your decision.

Caring for Bedlington Terriers

Every dog is different with their own personality and needs. Here are some areas to think about when taking care of a Bedlington Terrier.

Health issues

Before giving a Bedlington Terrier a forever home, consider any possible health issues. Not every dog experiences them, but it’s important to be prepared.

For more advice on potential health issues for Bedlingto...

Before giving a Bedlington Terrier a forever home, consider any possible health issues. Not every dog experiences them, but it’s important to be prepared.

For more advice on potential health issues for Bedlington Terriers, speak to your local vet. Some practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations.’ These tell you about potential health conditions, management options and an idea of financial costs.

If you’re considering buying a puppy, they can advise you on finding a responsible breeder and testing for genetic diseases.

Any breed of dog needs basic preventative healthcare like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. Pet insurance is also important to help cover your vet bills.

How much food does a Bedlington Terrier need?

There is no set amount for how much food your Bedlington Terrier need. This depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

The information...

There is no set amount for how much food your Bedlington Terrier need. This depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

The information on dog food packets can be a helpful guide, but you still need to adapt the portion size to your dog’s individual needs.

It’s helpful to know your Bedlington Terrier’s body condition when deciding how much food to give them. You can find out about body condition scoring through the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WVASA). Check with your vet to find out more.

Signs your dog may be under the idea body condition

Ribs, vertebrae (spine) and pelvic (hip) bones are prominent or visible and very easy to feel
Not able to feel and fat layer over the ribs
Possible loss of muscle mass
Obviously thin waist

Ideal body condition

Ribs can be felt easily
Minimal or thin layer of fat covering the ribs
When viewed from above, the waist is obviously narrower that the rest of the body
When viewed from the side, the belly tucks in rather than being rounded

Signs your dog may be over the ideal body condition

Ribs are hard or impossible to feel under body fat
Waist is not obvious when viewed from above
Fat deposits at the base of the tail, the neck and on their legs
Rounded abdomen

How much exercise does a Bedlington Terrier need?

Bedlington Terriers are usually moderately active dogs who need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explor...

Bedlington Terriers are usually moderately active dogs who need regular exercise and stimulation to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play. Like all dogs, they need training and benefit from daily enrichment.

If you enjoy regular time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Bedlington Terriers, like all dogs, need training and daily enrichment. When exercising your Bedlington Terrier, consider their:

age
health
personality.

Young or growing pups, for example, might need a few short walks instead of one long one. Exercise plans for older, injured, or ill dogs may need to be adapted based on advice from your vet. Quiet, peaceful walks may suit some dogs, where others may require something more sociable.

Ask your vet for advice on exercising your dog.

How much grooming does a Bedlington Terrier need?

Bedlington Terriers shed very little but still need grooming. To put your dog at ease and help their confidence, introduce handling and grooming step by step. This will make grooming more enjoyable for everyone and en...

What crate size do you need for a Bedlington Terrier?

In their crate, your dog should be able to comfortably:

sit and stand at their full height
turn around without touching the edges
lie down at full stretch
comfortably wag their tail....

Bedlington Terrier behaviour and training

Even if you think you know about Bedlington Terriers, it’s important to remember that every dog has their own personality.

What's the temperament of a Bedlington Terrier?

Like people, each dog is different with their own individual personality and experience. So, the temperaments of different Bedlington Terriers vary.

Dogs learn all about the world as they grow from puppies to ad...

Like people, each dog is different with their own individual personality and experience. So, the temperaments of different Bedlington Terriers vary.

Dogs learn all about the world as they grow from puppies to adult pooches. They find out what they do and don’t like, and develop responses to situations differently.

For instance, some might enjoy new experiences like meeting other dogs. Others might need to take it a bit slower.

Are Bedlington Terriers easy to train?

Any dog can be taught new tricks, whatever their breed. It’s all about positive learning. Find out what motivates your dog, whether that’s treats, toys or praise. You can use this as a reward throughout training to ma...

Any dog can be taught new tricks, whatever their breed. It’s all about positive learning. Find out what motivates your dog, whether that’s treats, toys or praise. You can use this as a reward throughout training to make it a positive experience for everyone.

They also need some useful life skills like recall, loose lead walking and settling. This ensures that you and your pup both feel relaxed spending time together out and about or at home.

Are Bedlington Terriers good with children?

Each dog’s personality is shaped by their experiences of the world and they respond differently to certain situations.

But there are some universal ways to treat any dog, including Bedlington Terriers, re...

Each dog’s personality is shaped by their experiences of the world and they respond differently to certain situations.

But there are some universal ways to treat any dog, including Bedlington Terriers, respectfully and behave safely around them. This is an essential skill for the whole family; adults and children.

Why not book one of our family workshops on living happily together? Our workshops are suitable for children aged 7 to 11. Booking one of these sessions could help your situation.