Bedlington Terrier
Description
The Bedlington Terrier is also known as the Rothbury Terrier. Sometimes after grooming, the Bedlington Terrier looks more like a shorn lamb than a dog. Bedlington Terrier is a rather quiet dog suitable for family life, easy to train and usually adores children. Bedlington Terrier makes a loyal companion who is affectionate and able to adapt to every mood of his owner. A true terrier, it is lovable, full of fun, and a terror when its temper is provoked.
Size of Male: Height: 15 – 16 inches Weight: 17-23 pounds
Size of Female: Height: 15 – 15.5 inches Weight: 17-23 pounds
Temperament
Careful breeding has resulted in a more companionable and affectionate personality in today’s Bedlington Terriers. Playful and cheerful, the Bedlington Terrier is loving with children and fairly friendly with strangers. Bedlington Terriers are loyal, lively and headstrong. This breed needs to learn to like cats and other household animals when they are young. Usually they can get along with other dogs but keep them away from those that want to dominate, as once challenged they are terrifying fighters, despite their gentle appearance. A little powerhouse, it is courageous and energetic, with the ability to run very fast. It is an enthusiastic digger. Bedlington Terriers like to bark and can be high-stung. Only let this breed off its lead in an enclosed area.
Living Conditions
Bedlington Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Bedlington Terriers are fairly active indoors and will do ok without a yard. You should ensure that your Bedlington Terriers get enough exercise daily because it has high energy levels and not exercising it enough can cause it to covert this energy into destructiveness which is not a desirable behavior.
Upkeep
The Bedlington Terrier needs daily exercise in a safe place; it loves to run and chase. Bedlington Terrier’s needs can be met with a good long walk or vigorous romp. Bedlington Terriers are not a breed that should live outside. Its coat needs combing once or twice weekly, plus scissoring to shape the coat every other month. Hair that is shed tends to cling to the other hair rather than shedding. So do ensure you comb it so that you can remove the shed hair.
Health
Major concerns: Copper Toxicosis (Liver disease due to copper storage hepatopathy)
Minor concerns: Retinal dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy, Renal cortical hypoplasia, Distichiasis
Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years