Interesting Facts About the Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier has been named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England. Its history can be traced back to one famous dog that was named "Old Flint", which was born in 1782. However, the breed was first mentioned in the book The Life of James Allen in 1825.

This breed is also known as the Rothbury terrier (the name was from a company of nail-makers that had settled in Rothbury), Rodbury terrier, and Rothbury's lambs. It is thought that this breed had a part in the making of the Kerry Blue Terrier in Ireland.

The Bedlington Terrier has a calm and mild temperament unlike other terriers. Even though this breed was once used for fighting, nowadays, they are known for their calm nature and good manners. However, that does not mean that it will lie around and mope all day. This is an energetic breed that is very athletic and agile.

These dogs need to have a good, secure area to play in, because if they don't, they will find a way to run outside. They are very curious about the outside world and want to go and explore. They also make for good watchdogs and bark at people who they feel threatened by.

Although they are intelligent, affectionate, and polite with younger children, it is the older ones that they prefer to have around. With an attitude that can be a little-afraid to just-reserved, these dogs should be introduced to strangers very gradually. Although they prefer being around their owners, they eventually learn to trust other people as well.

They get along nicely with other house animals, until the point where the other one makes a break for it and runs out. Then the temptation is too much to resist, and the dog will most likely give chase. These dogs are notoriously popular for their stubborn streak, which makes them difficult to train.

They are also known to never back down in a fight. They like to pass their time doing things like barking and digging, making them a dog that is recommended for the more experienced dog person.

In terms of overall appearance, this is a dog that can be considered as small to medium in size, with a weight of around 17-23 pounds, and a height that can be anywhere from 15-18 inches at the shoulder.

They have small, almond-shaped eyes and closely-packed lips. The colors of the coat are blue, liver, and sandy; the coat itself is made up of a mix of soft and coarser hair, making it curly and a little stiff to the touch.

There is almost no shedding with these dogs, which makes them a good candidate for those who suffer from allergies. They are referred to as a 'non-shedding, hypoallergenic breed'. When their fur is clipped, they look like a lamb.

The coat of these dogs needs to be brushed at least once a week, and every few months, it is recommended that the dog get trimmed to prevent the shagginess from getting to be too much to handle. It is important to make sure that the dog's ears are kept clean and dry to prevent any infection form getting a foothold.

The life span of this dog is around 12-17 years, if they are properly taken care of. The record for the oldest dog is 18.4 years. The common health issues faced by this breed are heart murmurs, and eye problems such as cataract, epiphora, and retinal dysplasia. This breed is more prone to eye diseases. They also have high incidences of kidney problems.

If you are looking for a puppy, get one from a good breeder, because the health risks will be considerably lower and the dog will be well-socialized and confident. Try to avoid puppy mills and pet shops as these dogs are normally ill-bred and ill-raised. Also, it only encourages this immoral business.