​

Bedlington Terriers come in three colors and two marking patterns. The colors are Liver, Blue and Sandy. The patterns are solid, or with tan points. As adults the tan pointed dogs look identical to the solids for the most part, as the points blend into the lighter adult coat. Bedlington Terriers are born dark - blues are born black, liver and sandy dogs are born dark brown. The noticeable difference will be in the skin color and nose/eye pigment. Blue Bedlingtons have a black nose and eye rim, with a very dark brown eye. Skin color will be light grey. Liver and Sandy dogs have brown nose and eye pigment, and a lighter eye. Their skin is pinkish-brown. The pups get lighter and lighter as they approach a year old. As 1 year olds, many Bedlingtons look white. White is NOT a color listed in the breed standard. By two years old, they should have color on their bodies, with lighter heads, and often lighter legs. One of the more interesting aspects of the breed is how their color is constantly changing, ever so slightly. Blues will be shades of grey. Liver is a sort of purple-brown color, while sandy is more of a taupe. When a Bedlington's skin is cut or bruised, their coat may come in their birth color on that spot. It will grow back out to adult color over time. Intact females often get darker coat color just before coming into season.

 

Bedlington Terriers weigh between 17 and 23 pounds, and are between 15 and 17 ½ inches tall. They are a medium size dog, easy to pick up, and certainly consider themselves lap dogs given the opportunity. Many times a dog that will be too big for the show ring will be sold as a pet, giving pet owners the chance to own a beautiful dog with that one minor "fault". Other reasons for dogs to be considered pets could be an overbite or underbite, short ears or kinked tail, or other physical faults.  An honest breeder of champion show dogs will tell you there are pets in every litter. They cannot show every dog they breed, so some will be pets for no other reason than that.

Most Bedlington Terrier puppies will tear, causing eye stains, until they are about 9 months old. This is due to teething. Tearing beyond that age can be caused by ingrown eye lashes or blocked tear ducts. These dogs should be examined by your veterinarian. Ear infections are a common problem among pet owners. Since they don’t shed, hair grows down in the ear canal. Wax, and subsequently dirt, stick to that hair. This and the dropped position of the ear make it difficult for air to get in, and ear infections result. Owners should make cleaning ears and pulling ear hair a part of their regular care routine, and should verify that their groomer is also pulling any deep ear hair at the dog’s grooming appointments. Toenails should also be trimmed regularly to prevent affecting the feet, and brushing teeth is always a good thing. I use the quiet time while watching television, during commercials, to trim nails, clean ears, brush and comb a dog in my lap. The loving attention offsets the "not much fun" aspect of grooming.  A grooming chart can be found on the Bedlington Terrier Club of America website. Most owners have their dogs professionally groomed about every six weeks, with brushings and baths in between at home. The coat tends to pick up and hold things like grass cuttings, mud, and leaves in the fall. A quick rinse off or brush out of the legs when dry removes these. On snowy days, snowballs will form in the leg hair and may need to be gently melted off in a warm bath.

The Bedlington Terrier temperament is lovely. They are good with gentle children, and are a very playful dog. Unlike many terrier breeds, they usually get along fine with other dogs, and can certainly be trained to live peacefully with a cat. Puppy kindergarten classes, basic obedience training and walks in the neighborhood to familiarize them with different sights and sounds are strongly recommended and will make a huge difference in your dog’s attitude toward other dogs met on walks, in class, etc. They are a terrier, and many love to dig holes.  Some will try to dig out under a fence - that seems to depend upon the individual. On the same lines, some will bark more than others. They are not usually "yappy", but will definitely bark if someone comes to the door. After the initial stages of puppy hood, they will accept any invitation to play, but will also lie contentedly beside you if quiet time is desired. Bedlingtons by nature will want to chase squirrels, wild rabbits, and birds. They will not generally just "hang around" with their owner, and a distraction could have your dog dashing across a street after a squirrel only to be killed by a car. Bedlingtons should have a well fenced yard or be on a leash when walked.
 
Bedlingtons can be a healthy breed, but prospective owners must do their homework, and be educated buyers. The Bedlington Terrier breed at one time was known for being affected with a disease called Copper Toxicosis (CT). A mutated gene caused copper to build up in their liver and affected dogs would often die young. Treatments are available, but they are very expensive and can be very hard for the dog to tolerate, often causing vomiting. In 1995 a DNA marker test was established to identify dogs that were "clear", "carrier", or "affected" with CT. Both clear and carriers dogs make good pets that should live full, healthy lives (as far as CT is concerned). Prospective Bedlington Terrier buyers should read more about this at the website for the company that does the test, www.Vetgen.com . Any breeder that refuses to send you copies of the parents’ DNA typing before you make a deposit on a puppy should be avoided. Deposits are often required. There are fewer than 200 Bedlington puppies registered each year in the USA - not many - and breeders don’t like to turn away good homes only to have a buyer change their mind later. Deposits usually indicate serious intent and the breeder will consider those puppies spoken for. Like any breed of dog, other health problems can occur, although CT is the one most often associated with this breed. Checks for healthy patellas, hearts and eyes on your puppy’s parents assure that the breeder is being responsible and trying to breed healthy dogs.

In order to receive the proper socialization within it’s "pack" and with it’s mother, puppies should not leave their mothers before 8 weeks old. She has lessons to teach them beyond her nursing and infant care. By 8 weeks old, the puppies should have had their first shots and have been examined by a veterinarian, and been given a certificate of good health. I require my buyers to take the puppy to their own vet for a meet ‘n’ greet and an exam within 48 hours of bringing the puppy home. I want them to be assured they purchased a healthy pet, and to make appointments with their vet for subsequent shots assuring a healthy puppyhood for their new family member.