About the Breed
(Skip this section) The Bedlington Terrier is a lively but gentle dog, built for speed, but looking like a lamb. Longer than it is tall, with an arched back, a slim, graceful build, this medium-sized terrier has a particularly distinctive look. With a fairly long, narrrow head and floppy ears, the top of the head is covered in crisp woolly hair, that tends to be lighter in color than the rest of its body. Their unique hypoallergenic coat is non-shedding – crisp and curly (but not wiry), it looks like sheep’s wool and can come in a variety of shades. Bedlington Terrier colors include blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, and liver and tan. Often, Bedlington Terrier puppies are born with a much darker coat than what will be present in adulthood. Weighing between 17-23lbs or 7.7-10.4 kgs Bedlington Terriers are considered to be medium size dogs. Females average about 16 inches, or 40cm, tall and males average 17 inches, or 43cm tall. They generally have a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. These dogs are considered to be very loving, spunky, smart, and good-tempered. They do very well with children, especially when raised around them from a young age. Bedlington Terriers are not intensely popular pets. Currently, they are ranked 151st by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, of all the terrier breeds, the Bedlington Terrier has the oldest non-broken pedigree, going back to 1782. The breed was first known as the “gypsy dog” because gypsies and poachers used them to hunt. They have been known to hunt for small game such as rodents, rabbits, foxes, and even otters. They were used as racing dogs throughout the history of the breed. Their lifespan, averaging around 13.5 years, is somewhat longer than most dogs of a similar medium size. The longest-lived Bedlington Terrier on record was in 2004 from a UK Kennel Club survey. It was 18.4 years old.
These adaptable terriers have a very playful, spirited personality. Although very smart, they’re known to sometimes be a little stubborn. They can be quite protective of their loved ones. This bold dog is excellent with kids, but make sure you exercise him in fenced in areas because these dogs are very fast and they have a strong prey drive. Despite that, this medium-sized terrier is calmer inside than most terriers are so they are better in apartments.
Here are some things to watch out for :
Bedlington Terrier Training and Exercise
Bedlington Terriers are very active dogs. They need either a large yard to exercise in or to be taken on daily walks. They are energetic, rowdy, and may have a tendency to develop destructive tendencies if under-exercised. Bedlington Terriers are an acceptable breed for apartment living because they are a low barking dog. However, because of their high energy level, it’s particularly important apartment dwellers are given the opportunity to exercise every day, to prevent mischievous behaviors. Failure to do so can result in negative ‘boredom’ behaviors. This can also be true if Bedlington Terriers are left in solitude for long periods of time. These dogs have a very affectionate temperament, but they can only spend small amounts of time alone without becoming anxious. Bedlington Terriers are recommended for people with some dog training experience. Due to their intelligence, these dogs can be very easy to train. However, this dog breed has some typical terrier-like characteristics that may make it a challenging pet to handle. Due to their strong prey drive, it is also important to start socializing them with other dogs and children right away. Proper training is needed to ensure that barking is kept under control. Though Bedlington Terriers are only considered an occasional barker, it can become out of control if this breed is not managed by an owner it respects.
Be warned! These dogs need a good amount of exercise! Bedlington Terriers won’t be satisfied without at least a half hour of good exercise a day. Luckily, these dogs are very playful. It helps to have a large fenced in backyard if you’re planning on owning one of these dogs. They’re a great option for families with slightly older kids with whom they can run and play. An under exercised Bedlington is likely to become destructive so be sure you have a plan on how to manage their needs before taking one into your family.
What Does It Mean To Be A Hypoallergenic Dog?
Before we answer if a Bedlington Terrier is hypoallergenic, do you know what it means for a dog to be “hypoallergenic”?
A hypoallergenic dog is one that will not cause an allergic reaction in its owner. This means that the dog will not produce any allergens in its saliva, skin, or dander. It also means that the dog produces low levels of all five major allergens: dander, saliva, urine, feces, and skin flakes.
You should know that there is no dog breed that is completely allergen-free or hypoallergenic. Instead, the word hypoallergenic is used to refer to “breeds that are less prone to induce allergies in people,” as Dr. Lynn Buzhardt writes for VCA Hospitals.
So, just because your dog is hypoallergenic doesn’t mean it won’t trigger an allergic response in someone in your home who has allergies – it merely means the dog is considerably less likely to induce an allergic reaction than other breeds.