Bedlington Terrier

Blue and sandy colors of Bedlingtons, working dogs from England

Alternative names

Rothbury Terrier

Country of origin

Classification and breed standards

FCI:	Group 3 Section 1 #9	Std
AKC:	Terrier	Std
ANKC:	Group 2 (Terriers)	Std
CKC:	Group 4 - Terriers
KC(UK):	Terrier	Std
NZKC:	Terrier	Std
UKC:	Terriers	Std

The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of dog. It is one of many breeds of terrier and is named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.

Appearance

The Bedlington Terrier is often described as looking like a lamb, probably because it has fur with a linty texture. This is a nonshedding coat. Born blue, sandy, or liver, all as solid colours or with tan markings, these colours become paler when the dog becomes an adult.

The head is wedge-shaped with sparkling eyes. Although it looks meek when reclining on the couch, the Bedlington Terrier is argumentative and every inch a terrier when aroused. His body shape is unusual for a terrier, being somewhat like a Greyhound or Whippet in construction, which enables him to gallop at great speed. However, his front legs are constructed differently from coursing hounds in that his front legs are closer together at the feet than at the elbows. This enables him to turn or pivot quickly when chasing quarry at high speed. At a trot, the Bedlington moves with a 'mincing' gait, picking its feet up in what appears to be a dainty manner.

History

The original name of this breed of dog was the Rothbury Terrier after a town, like Bedlington, in Northumberland. The Rothbury Terriers were bred by gypsies in the Rothbury Forest near the border with Scotland. The Bedlington Terrier, which was first shown in Bedlington in 1870, is likely to have come from the Rothbury Terrier. Unlike other Terriers, the Bedlington's quarry—hare and rabbits—lived above ground, which is why a galloping or coursing breed was useful. In addition, this breed was used for dog fighting at one time.

The first Bedlington Terrier club was formed in 1877.