Terrier group · England
Bedlington Terrier
Also called Rothbury Terrier, Rodbery Terrier.
What makes them remarkable
The lamb-like appearance hides the history of a working terrier from a Northumberland mining town.
- Loyal
- Charming
- Frolicky
- Courageous
- Spirited

- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 8 to 10 kg17 to 23 lb
- Lives
- 11 to 16 years
- Energy
- Moderate
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Bedlington Terrier
Terrier breeds. Impulse control and a rock-solid leave it. Short, high-value sessions; they bore fast.
Gentle but Consistent
Start here
Bedlingtons are sensitive souls who respond poorly to harsh methods. Patient, positive training works best.
Watch for Dog Aggression
Despite their lamb-like appearance, Bedlingtons can be fierce with other dogs. Socialise extensively.
Keep Sessions Short
They have a terrier's independent streak. Short, fun training sessions prevent stubbornness.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Bedlington Terrier and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to go to ground after vermin. Fearless, quick, and not built to back down.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsLow
- StrangersModerate
- CatsLow
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 45-60 minutes daily. Moderate walks and play. Surprisingly athletic despite their gentle appearance.
- Grooming
- Professional grooming every 6-8 weeks for distinctive styling. Regular brushing to prevent matting.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Curly, Crisp, LintyBlue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan, Liver and Tan, Sandy and Tan
- In a flat
- Can work, with enough exercise outside it.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Copper Toxicosis
Severe
Inherited liver disease causing copper accumulation. DNA test available and essential for breeding
Retinal Dysplasia
Moderate
Eye condition that can lead to vision problems
Patellar Luxation
Moderate
Kneecap dislocation requiring potential surgery
Where they come from
History
Developed in the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in the 1800s. Originally used by gypsies and poachers for catching rabbits, the breed was also used for dog fighting and vermin hunting. Their unique lamb-like appearance belies their terrier spirit.
- Ch. Doubletime · The first Bedlington to win Best in Show at Crufts in 1979
Similar breeds
All breeds
Norfolk Terrier
The ears reveal the difference: Norfolk Terriers have folded ears, while Norwich Terriers have upright ones.
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Australian Terrier
British terrier ancestry met Australian working life in a dog used against rodents and snakes.
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Manchester Terrier
Whippets helped shape this sleek terrier, combining rat-catching work with rabbit coursing.
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Norwich Terrier
These little ratters became mascots around Cambridge University before the modern breed was established.
Small · Terrier