ASHCROFT BEDLINGTONS

SO YOU WANT TO BUY A BEDLINGTON TERRIER… 

What should you, the pet owner know, about buying a Bedlington Terrier as a pet? You should be familiar with the breed’s characteristic appearance, care requirements for both exercise and coat/grooming, and temperament. The best way to get answers to questions about how this breed will fit into your particular household, is to ask some breeders your questions. Ask more than one – their opinions may vary. And while you’re at it, ask some additional questions to determine whether you want to purchase a dog from THIS breeder. Remember – this dog will be a member of your family for about the next 15 years. When you decide the time is right for a puppy, spend at least as much time looking as you would in shopping for a new car or a special dress or suit. A puppy is a long-term investment. This is not the time to be penny wise and pound foolish. Take your time, do your homework, and you’ll have a family member who’ll return all your love tenfold, and will be a pleasure to live with.

What sorts of questions should you ask a breeder, and what types of answers should you expect? Be prepared for the breeder to ask you questions as well – we’ll list some of those later. If they don’t ask about you and the home you’ll be providing, how much could they care about the puppy they bred – or what will happen once you own it?

How long have you been in the breed? What other breeds have you owned or bred? Are you a member of any dog clubs?

You probably want to avoid anyone who has "switched" breeds every couple of years, from popular breed to popular breed. Look for someone with some experience with the breed you are interested in. If they are new to this breed, do they have long term experience with another breed?

Also, be very wary of people who have multiple dog breeds. It is not uncommon to find people breeding more than one kind of dog (for example, quite a few Akita breeders are also interested in Shiba Inus), but a breeder producing litters of many different breeds of dog (Cockers, Poodles, Pekingese, cock-a-poos, peek-a-poos, labradoodles) is not going to be your best source, and probably should be suspected as a puppy-mill or disreputable breeder.

Most reputable breeders are members of their parent breed club (The Bedlington Terrier Club of America) which holds them to a standard of ethics. Many also belong to all-breed kennel clubs or training clubs local to their home.

Do you have the parents on site? Can I see them?

This is kind of a trick question - most breeders will not own both dogs. They will own the mother (and you should be able to see her), but the best match for that bitch probably belongs to someone else. So, if you can see both parents on site, you should be a little suspicious. It may mean that the breeder has a large pool of dogs and is carefully matching them - or it can mean that they had two dogs in their backyard and had either a planned or unplanned breeding just because they had a male and female at the same time.

You should be able to see the mother and any other dogs on site when you visit. If the breeder hesitates, you should wonder why - are the dogs kept in clean, healthy conditions? Are they too unsocialized to meet people? You must be very comfortable with any reason not to see the dogs to consider buying from this breeder.

However, remember that you should not be interacting with very young puppies, and might be prevented from seeing puppies that are less than 4 weeks old. This is OK, and is simply the breeder trying to eliminate any chance of illness in the puppies - they don't know what kind of dog diseases you may be carrying, on your shoes for instance, and don't want the puppies to get sick.

Are the parents AKC registered? Is the litter registered with the AKC?

Expect your puppy to be registered with one of the reputable stud books: 

These kennel clubs make some effort to ensure the very worst "breeders" can not register their dogs. For example, persons convicted of cruelty to animals are suspended from the AKC. If you come across a puppy that is registered at some other lesser-known registries, run away - very, very fast. There are a number of so-called registries that exist so that the puppy millers and others who have lost their privileges at the reputable organizations can continue to breed and sell puppies. It's not an easy thing to be suspended from these organizations (AKC, CKC). If someone has been, it's for a good reason.

Remember however that a registration is simply a record that the dog is purebred. Registrations are issued based upon the word of the breeder. No one from these organizations comes out to look at the litter or see how it's being raised. Registration alone is NOT a sign of quality.

How many litters do you have a year? How many litters has THIS bitch had? Are you keeping something from this litter?

Breeders producing more than 1 or 2 litters a year are probably not paying enough attention to the genetics of the breed and health of the puppies. If it is a small breeder, even two litters a year may be too much to be able to make sure that the breeding is going to be successful and produce healthy puppies.

Definitely avoid anyone who "always has puppies", or who is breeding their bitch every year.  Many people feel three to four litters in her lifetime is enough for any bitch to whelp.  If someone has three litters (especially if they note that one was "unexpected") on the ground at the same time, they are certainly not planning these puppies! All puppies should be "expected" and well planned. If they're not, it's a crap shoot as to whether you're going to get a good puppy or a nightmare. It would be very difficult for the breeder to adequately socialize the puppies from three litters at one time.

If the breeder expects to keep a pup and will decide when they evaluate the litter when they’re a bit older, this means the breeders are breeding for themselves. These litters are not haphazard but are well thought out and researched. It may end up that the level of quality for a top show dog just wasn’t present in this litter, but the litter was planned with that goal in mind.

Why was this litter bred? What are the good and bad points of the parents? What titles to they have?

Always, always, always, ask this question. It will give you more insight into who this breeder is and what you can expect from your pup than any other. You're looking for any sort of answer that shows forethought, planning, and specific goals for the breeding. This means research was done before the litter was bred. Usually, breeders will start to gush at this point and enumerate all the wonderful qualities of their dogs - and the best will point out their flaws. What you're looking for here is information about temperament, possible aggression, how they deal with people, how they're not "perfect".

OK answers are:

Any of these answers are poor reasons to have produced a litter of puppies:

All these answers show a lack of forethought and planning. The actual breeding was probably pretty haphazard, as was the care of the pups. You should have a lot of concern about what you’re getting if you get one of these pups. And accidents can happen – but after the first time, any good breeder takes steps to be sure it doesn’t happen again.

As for titles, reputable breeders show their dogs, and they should be carrying points towards a championship, if not champions already. This is important - while there are many wonderful dogs out there that haven't seen the inside of a show ring, if the breeder is truly trying to improve the breed, they will be comparing their dogs to other breeders and trying to breed dogs that match the standard. The only way to do that is to show their dogs. The most competitive shows will be American Kennel Club (AKC) or Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) shows.

Many breeders compete in obedience or agility as well, and will have Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Companion Dog (CD) or other titles for the parents. Often, these types of titles are a good benchmark for temperament and behavior.

How have you advertised this litter?

Where did you, the buyer, locate the information about it?

The best breeders usually have much of the litter sold before it's even bred. Reputable breeders usually list their litters with their National Club’s Breeder Directory (the Bedlington Terrier Club of America). The American Kennel Club has also begun an online breeder’s directory listing available puppies.

“Out of area” advertising should not be necessary. There is one exception to this, which is advertising on the Internet - it can't help but be out of area. If you see ads in the classifieds for out of area breeders or "puppy brokers" (people who will find a pup for you) beware. If breeders are advertising outside their own area that means they are producing enough puppies that they have to advertise at a distance. Lots of puppies generally mean poor puppy care. 

Short classified ads. As a rule of thumb you can judge the quality of the litter by the length of the ad. More information means a more informed and responsible breeder. But many reputable breeders will not even consider advertising their litter in the newspaper.

Dropping puppy prices. A breeder who has so many pups left over that they are having to drop the price on pups in order to sell didn't go into the breeding very well informed.

Worst of all: Breeders who sell through an intermediary like a pet store or a puppy broker. These breeders truly don't care about where their pups wind up or what kinds of situations they go into. If they don't care about the puppies' futures, how much did they care about what they were producing, and what you will have to live with in the future?

What genetic diseases are common in this breed? What health testing have you performed on the litter’s parents? What health testing will you perform on the puppies in this litter before they are sold?

Avoid anyone who says "none", or "not in my dogs!". There are genetic problems that are present in almost every breed. Do some research here, and make sure you know what kind of answer you should be getting from the breeder.

A reputable breeder should be able to tell you what kinds of problems might be present in the particular breed (for example, copper toxicosis, eye disease, kidney problems, etc) and what kind of testing is available to find it. It goes without saying that the breeder should be doing those tests on all their breeding stock. Any dogs that are showing signs of any of these problems should not be bred -- avoid anyone who is breeding dogs with genetic problems, or who is not testing their dogs and bitches.

I can't stress enough that you need to have a good idea of what the correct answers are here. Visit the parent club’s website, find out what to expect before you fall in love with that cute puppy face! A breeder that can't tell you what kinds of things affect their dogs isn't going to be breeding to avoid them.

The breeder should be able to explain Copper Toxicosis to you and how it is inherited. Make it a REQUIREMENT that both sire and dam have DNA test results for CT (Copper Toxicosis) and better still, liver biopsy results in addition to the DNA typing. Bedlington puppies can be tested with a simple cheek swab and the results known before they are 8 weeks old. Do NOT purchase a puppy without getting a copy of it’s DNA results for CT and understanding what the results represent.

It would be great if the parents have a CERF (Canine Eye Registry Foundation) EYE and OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) CARDIAC certification of "normal". These certifications are just starting to become more common as it's getting easier to find ophthalmologists and cardiologists who can perform the exams. Many kennel clubs hold health clinic at local shows making it easier for the breeder to have the exams performed. CERF certifications are only good for a year from the exam, but many breeders get periodic exams and can share the results with you. It isn't common for Bedlingtons to be recertified on an annual basis.

No health certifications indicates a breeder who either doesn't know or doesn't care. They probably bred Meggie to Butch for no other reason than he was convenient. Avoid this breeder at all costs, or be prepared to pay the costs later when your puppy grows into an unhealthy adult dog.

At what age do you place puppies? What do I get WITH the puppy? Will this puppy have a full or a limited registration?

Puppies should stay with their mother for at least seven weeks, usually longer. She has lessons to teach beyond the simple act of feeding them as babies. Puppies removed from their mother too soon will lack social skills when dealing with other dogs. Avoid the breeder who pushes to be rid of the puppies as soon as possible. The breeder should be willing to work with you to keep the puppy until the best time for it to enter your household, whether that is after a vacation, after a holiday, etc. If you expect the breeder to “hold” the puppy for more than a week or two, offer to pay a small “boarding” fee and expect to have paid for the puppy in full.

Does the breeder provide you with the AKC registration form, a 3-5 generation pedigree, a contract to sign, a health certificate from a veterinarian, a record of shots and worming, and material to help you with feeding, training and housebreaking? Good contracts will protect you, the breeder, and the puppy. They should have some sort of paragraph describing how disputes are to be settled. Most one-time breeders will not offer a written contract and don’t understand why you want one. Do they give you copies of the parents’ health clearances as well? Do they provide any sort of assistance learning what you need to take care of your puppy – lists of grooming supplies, types of brushes, combs, the best kind of collar, a crate, etc. Will they send a small supply of food home with the puppy in case you are transitioning it to a different brand of food?

Back to the topic of registration… Expect your puppy to be registered with one of the reputable stud books: 

If the puppy/litter is registered at some other lesser-known registries, run away - very, very fast. There are a number of so-called registries that exist so that the puppy millers and others who have lost their privileges at the reputable organizations can continue to breed and sell puppies.

Breeders who use the AKC Limited Registration for their non-breeding puppies are doing the best they can for you and the future of the breed. The Limited Registration means that offspring of the dog can not be registered. And that the dog may not enter Conformation Shows ("Dog Shows"). They may, however, compete in any other AKC event like agility, obedience, rally obedience, and earthdog.

Breeders give a Full registration on their breeding prospect puppies. Expect to be required to complete an AKC championship on your dog if you hope to breed it. Be prepared to form a long term friendship with the breeder, to learn from them and to work with them. It will require long hours of dedication and hard work. In the end, someone else will be asking you all the questions we just suggested you ask a breeder. Will you be prepared and have the RIGHT answers?

If your dog turns out to be a wonderful example of the breed, and one that should be bred, the breeder can change the limited registration to a full registration. Discuss this option before you purchase a puppy. Be up front with the breeder, tell them your hopes and expectations, and put them into the contract you sign with the breeder.

Will you help me select the puppy that best fits my family, my needs?

Expect your breeder to give you some advice when it comes time to pick your pup, or to pick the puppy for you, based upon the questions they have asked about your home and lifestyle.  After all, no one knows the litter and the individual personalities as well as the breeder. Have the puppies’ temperaments been evaluated and can the breeder guide you to the puppy that will best suite your lifestyle? A very shy puppy will not do well in a noisy household with small children, just as a very dominant puppy won't flourish in a sedate, senior citizen household or a first time dog owner’s home. A caring breeder will know the puppies and be able to show you how to test them so that good matches can be made. Avoid breeders who can give you no insight into the personality of the individual pups. These breeders either don't know what they were looking at, don't care what they were looking at, or didn't pay attention. In general their attitude is that all puppies are alike, so what does it matter. Stay away from breeders who don't offer any advice about your pick. Their attitude is one of "take the puppy and go."

What if I can’t keep the puppy or adult dog?

Responsible breeders usually require something to the effect of: "If at any time, for any reason, you can no longer care for the dog, it will be returned to the breeder. If you have found another home for the dog the breeder must approve that home before the dog is placed there." These breeders are the best of all. They take their responsibility to their pups seriously. They are doing their best to ensure that no pup they bred is ever placed in a shelter. Do not expect the breeder the buy the dog back. They are simply guaranteeing a good home for the dog should something happen to you.

After reading this, feel free to email me with additional questions at ashcrofterriers@gmail.com
 

Am I ready for a dog?

Questions the breeder should ask ME!

Should I breed my Bedlington Terrier?

Photos of my dogs can be seen in the Photo Gallery.

Places to get additional information about the breed are:
Bedlington Terrier Club of America

VetGen DNA typing for CT markers

Read the Breed Standard

Grooming the Bedlington Terrier