Bedlington Terriers

Appearance:

Body: Long and well-muscled with a fully arched back, flat ribs and deep chest. They are both agile and graceful.

Coat: A non-shedding thick, curly coat with a fuzzy texture and a woolly undercoat.

Color: Born blue, blue and tan, sandy, or liver colored then paling with age.

Ears: Medium-sized, triangular-shaped, set low and close to the cheek.

Eyes: Small sparkling and gentle. Dark to light hazel coloring that varies with the coat color.

Feet: Hare-footed, tight and well-padded.

Head: Pear-shaped and narrow with a black nose, tight lips, broad nostrils and a silky topknot.

Legs: Forelegs are straight with long, sloping pasterns. Hind legs are muscular with an arched loin and have the appearance of being longer than the forelegs.

Neck: Long and narrowing to flat at the shoulders.

Size:
Weight: 17 - 23 pounds (8 - 10kg)
Height: 15 - 17 inches (38 - 43cm)

Tail: Thick at the root.

Behavior

Recommended with children.

The Bedlington can be a stubborn and aggressive dog but are also an affectionate and loyal breed who is great with children, intelligent and a wonderful companion dog. They're agile and graceful with a spring to their gate and with the ability to reach great speeds. When inside they are calm and quiet but when they are outside they love to run and play and to explore everything around them.

Without proper socialization as pups, the Bedlington may become very timid or reserved around strangers. They are usually good with other family pets but can be aggressive with strange dogs and will likely take chase to any running animal they catch sight of.

The Rothbury will respond well to positive and rewarding obedience training. He prefers food rewards and does not like to be scolded or teased.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Sporting Group
The Rothbury Terrier was originally used for seeking out and killing mice, rats, and badgers. They were later used to catch rabbits.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: This dog is a digger and a barker and will require a good amount of play and exercise to stay fit both physically and mentally.

Grooming: The coat should be groomed weekly and trimmed every 60 - 90 days. This is a difficult coat to groom and may require the help of a professional until you become familiar with the process. The ears should be cleaned regularly and kept dry.

Health

Life Expectancy: 14 - 15 Years - have been known to live to 23 years.

A generally healthy breed of dog

Possible Problems:
Copper Toxicosis (hereditary fault) - afflicted dogs usually live a normal life.
Eye problems
Kidney disease
Liver problems
Retinal Dysplasia - an eye disorder.
Thyroid problems

Country of Origin

United Kingdom - 1800s