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Discover everything about Bedlington Terrier
Explore the breed's characteristics, health, and history — and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Bedlington Terrier?
At a glance
Bedlington Terrier overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
With 10 mandatory health tests, the Bedlington Terrier faces an above-average genetic burden. The breed-typical copper storage disease, a severe metabolic liver disorder, as well as eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and glaucoma, require strict attention from breeders. Prospective buyers should insist on seeing negative test results for both parents to minimize these risks.
Lifespan
12–14 yrs
Height
39–43 cm
Weight
8–12 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Curly, medium length, dense undercoat
- Origin: Great Britain
Typical coat colors
- Blue
- liver
- sand colors
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Bedlington Terrier, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Bedlington Terrier right for you?
The Bedlington Terrier looks like a gentle lamb, but it is a lightning-fast, uncompromising Erdhund (earth dog) — bred to hunt rabbits and vermin with the speed of a sighthound and the toughness of a terrier.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for a dog that is extremely affectionate and calm indoors, but switches into sports mode the moment you step outside
- You are prepared to invest in regular professional grooming, as its woolly coat doesn't shed but mats very quickly
- You want to channel its chasing and hunting instincts through targeted training or fast-paced dog sports
- You can lead with confidence but gentleness — this terrier is more sensitive and holds a grudge longer than many of its rough-and-tumble relatives
Less ideal if:
- You expect it to have a perfect recall when it spots a fleeing hare — it was crossbred to chase at lightning speed on sight
- You are looking for a constant companion for the unregulated dog park, because beneath that sheep-like appearance lies a good dose of terrier feistiness
- You keep small animals like rabbits or guinea pigs free-roaming in your home — in its genetic makeup, these aren't roommates, they are prey
The real vibes check
The Bedlington Terrier is the literal wolf in sheep's clothing. Anyone fooled by its soft appearance will be surprised outdoors by an explosive hunter that takes no prisoners. If you love this contrast, you will get a fascinating companion who loves to cuddle on the sofa and turns into a rocket in the field.
Breed Profile
The Bedlington Terrier, often affectionately known as “lamb on a dog’s body”, can be recognized at first glance by its unique appearance. His slim yet muscular build, combined with a wedge-shaped head and almond-shaped eyes, give him an almost elf-like appearance. But despite its delicate appearance, you shouldn't be fooled because this dog is anything but fragile. The Bedlington Terrier belongs to FCI Group 3 Terriers, Section 1 High-legged Terriers. This terrier does not differentiate between show and performance lines. The Bedlington's coat is dense and curly, similar to a lamb's wool, and has a distinctive 'top knot'. or "Pompon" on the head. The color of the coat is also interesting because it can change over the course of the dog's life. Puppies are often born darker and their coat color lightens around one year of age.
- Height
- 39 - 43 cm (Female), 39 - 43 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 8 - 10 kg (Female), 9 - 12 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 14 years
- Character
- Playful, intelligent, friendly
- Coat
- Curly, medium length, dense undercoat
- Coat Color
- Blue, liver, sand colors
- Price
- 1200 - 2500 €
History
The Bedlington Terrier originally comes from the English county of Northumberland, specifically from the small mining town of Bedlington, after which it was named. In the 19th century, he was primarily kept by workers in the local coal mines as a rat catcher and guard dog. But he also made a name for himself as a hunting dog, pursuing predators such as foxes and badgers. The Bedlington Terrier as we know it today is the result of various breedings, including the Dandie Dinmont Terrier and the Whippet. The latter was crossed to improve the Bedlington's speed and slender build. The Bedlington Terrier was first recognized as a separate breed in 1877.
Original Use
The Bedlington Terrier was originally bred for hunting small animals and pest control, but is now a popular companion dog.
Origin
Great Britain
Date
1800
Character & Temperament
Despite its roots as a working dog, the Bedlington Terrier has evolved into a beloved family dog. He is known for his playful and friendly nature and has a strong desire to please. This terrier loves being part of the family and is always happy to be where his people are. By nature, the Bedlington Terrier is a very active dog. He has a lot of energy and loves to play and run around. Nevertheless, he is able to regulate his energy well and can also enjoy quiet moments. Thanks to his intelligence and ingenuity, there is never a dull moment with him. Another important aspect of the Bedlington Terrier's character is its independence. He is able to keep himself busy and also enjoys times of peace and solitude. However, he should not be left alone all the time, as he also builds a strong bond with his people. While the Bedlington Terrier is a friendly and outgoing dog, he can also have a watchful side. He is always ready to protect his territory and his family if he believes it is necessary. That's why it's important that you socialize him from an early age and teach him to correctly assess strangers and situations. When it comes to his hunting instincts, you should note that the Bedlington Terrier was originally bred to hunt small prey. This instinct can still shine through today, especially when seeing small animals or moving objects. It is therefore important that you teach him to control this instinct and ensure that he is in a safe environment when he is allowed to run around without a leash. In conclusion, the Bedlington Terrier is a versatile, charming and fun-loving dog that can bring great joy to both active people and families. With the right socialization and training, he will become a loyal and lovable companion who will make every day an adventure.
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Mild interest in movement and small animals — easily managed. | Low |
Fun Fact!
Although at first glance the Bedlington Terrier looks more like a lamb than a dog, in the past it was a feared rat hunter and was also used for dog fighting.
What Awaits You
The Bedlington Terrier is considered an easily excitable, hunting-motivated dog. It is adaptable and therefore versatile. Type-appropriate employment is important.
Housing & Care
Despite its energy and stamina, the Bedlington Terrier makes a good city dog as long as it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. He gets along well with children, but as with any dog, encounters between dogs and small children should always be supervised. He is also generally friendly with cats and other pets as long as he has been properly socialized.
- Family Friendly
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Family-oriented - Child Friendly
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Patient with children - Dog Friendly
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Generally tolerant - City Friendly
Adapts well to city living and urban environments.
Well-suited to city life
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.!
Training & Education
The Bedlington Terrier is an intelligent dog that enjoys learning and challenges. He responds well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. He is also a good candidate for dog sports such as agility or obedience. You should make sure that the Bedlington Terrier gets enough mental stimulation to avoid boredom and destructive behavior. However, it is also important that he gets enough rest and does not become overly busy. Bedlington Terriers can easily become "ball junkies." so you should keep these types of games in balance and also offer other activities and training methods. An important aspect of training a Bedlington Terrier is training impulse control and frustration tolerance. Because they were originally bred for hunting, they can have strong prey and prey drives that need to be controlled.
Nutrition & Care
The Bedlington Terrier's diet should be balanced and nutritious to meet its high energy needs. High-quality dry or wet food that is tailored to the dog's age, size and activity level works well. Some Bedlingtons may be prone to food allergies, so their diet should be carefully monitored. The Bedlington Terrier has a dense, curly coat with an undercoat that requires regular grooming. A weekly brushing will help prevent tangles and keep the coat nice. The Bedlington Terrier sheds little and is often considered hypoallergenic.
| Care Level Regular brushing and occasional professional grooming. | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs Needs 1–2 hours of real exercise daily. | Active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Bred to work closely alongside humans. | Highly trainable |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.!
Health
C
Solid, watch carefully
Health grade
With 10 mandatory health tests, the Bedlington Terrier faces an above-average genetic burden. The breed-typical copper storage disease, a severe metabolic liver disorder, as well as eye conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and glaucoma, require strict attention from breeders. Prospective buyers should insist on seeing negative test results for both parents to minimize these risks.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
By providing joint-friendly exercise during puppyhood and regular routine check-ups at the vet for eyes and knees, you lay the foundation for a long, active life for your dog.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' knees and eyes examined and use targeted genetic testing to reliably rule out the severe breed-specific liver disease in their puppies.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
What owners say about the Bedlington Terrier
Zusammengefasst aus öffentlich geteilten Halter-Erfahrungen
In Berichten von Haltern wird der Bedlington Terrier oft als klassischer „Wolf im Schafspelz“ beschrieben, was auf seine ausgeprägte zweiseitige Persönlichkeit anspielt. Im Haus erleben Familien ihn als überaus anschmiegsamen, ruhigen und sanften Begleiter, der die Nähe zu seinen Menschen sucht und sich eng an seine Bezugspersonen bindet. Diese feinfühlige und fast schon katzenartige Ruhe in den eigenen vier Wänden wird von vielen Besitzern sehr geschätzt.
Sobald es jedoch nach draußen geht, erwacht das lebhafte Temperament des ehemaligen Arbeitshundes. Halter berichten von einer enormen Energie, Wendigkeit und einer beeindruckenden Schnelligkeit, die der Terrier gerne beim freien Laufen auslebt. Während er sich wunderbar als aktiver Familienhund eignet, betonen erfahrene Besitzer, dass das Zusammenleben mit anderen Kleintieren wie Kaninchen oder Meerschweinchen aufgrund seines ausgeprägten Jagdtriebs meist nicht zu empfehlen ist.
Zusammengefasst aus öffentlich geteilten Halter-Erfahrungen
Die Erziehung des Bedlington Terriers erfordert laut Erfahrungsberichten eine feinfühlige, aber konsequente Hand. Halter beschreiben die Rasse als überaus intelligent und lernwillig, weisen jedoch gleichzeitig auf den typischen Terrier-Eigensinn hin. Stumpfe Wiederholungen oder Härte in der Erziehung führen bei diesen sensiblen Hunden schnell zu Sturheit; stattdessen führt liebevolle Konsequenz und positive Verstärkung zum Erfolg.
Ein zentrales Thema in Hundeforen und Halterdiskussionen ist der ausgeprägte Jagdtrieb. Da in der Rassegeschichte sowohl Bauhunde als auch Sichtjäger (wie der Whippet) stecken, reagieren viele Bedlington Terrier extrem schnell auf Bewegungsreize. Ein Freilauf ohne Leine ist daher in wildreichen Gebieten oft nur nach einem sehr intensiven Rückruftraining möglich. Zudem wird empfohlen, den Hund frühzeitig und sorgfältig zu sozialisieren, da er Fremden gegenüber reserviert sein kann und Rüden im eigenen Revier manchmal zu defensivem oder dominantem Verhalten neigen.
Zusammengefasst aus öffentlich geteilten Halter-Erfahrungen
Beim Thema Pflege und Gesundheit sind sich Besitzer einig: Der Bedlington Terrier ist kein Hund für Pflegefaule. Zwar haart die Rasse so gut wie gar nicht, was sie für manche Allergiker attraktiv macht, doch das dichte, lockige Fell neigt extrem schnell zum Verfilzen. Halter berichten, dass tägliches Bürsten sowie ein professionelles Scheren oder Trimmen alle sechs bis acht Wochen unerlässlich sind, um die charakteristische Optik und die Hautgesundheit zu erhalten.
In gesundheitlicher Hinsicht weisen Rassekenner und Besitzerforen eindringlich auf die genetisch bedingte Kupferspeicherkrankheit (Kupfertoxikose) hin, bei der die Leber Kupfer nicht richtig abbauen kann. Seriöse Züchter testen ihre Tiere vor der Verpaarung auf diesen Gendefekt, weshalb Halter beim Welpenkauf unbedingt auf entsprechende Nachweise bestehen sollten. Zudem neigen die hängenden, behaarten Ohren der Rasse laut Praxiserfahrungen leicht zu Entzündungen und erfordern regelmäßige Kontrollen.
Paraphrased from real owner reports
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Frequently asked questions about the Bedlington Terrier
Is a Bedlington Terrier the right dog for me?
The Bedlington Terrier is an adaptable dog that adjusts well to various lifestyles. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Bedlington Terrier live?
The average life expectancy of a Bedlington Terrier is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Bedlington Terrier need?
Bedlington Terrier grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Bedlington Terrier good for families with children?
The Bedlington Terrier can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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