Bedlington Terrier
About the Bedlington Terrier
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Small (10-25 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 15-18" |
| Weight | 17-23 lbs |
| Coat Type | Curly |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Bedlington Terriers may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Apartment Living
- Active Owners
- Allergy Sufferers
May Not Be Ideal For
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Bedlington Terrier
The story behind the Bedlington Terrier
Terriers of this type worked the mining and quarrying districts of Northumberland in northern England during the 1800s, kept by miners, travellers and gamekeepers to kill rats, badgers and foxes and to poach rabbit and hare. Speed and endurance in the type are usually credited to Whippet or other sighthound crossing alongside terrier stock. The breed was known first as the Rothbury Terrier after a local town, then took the Bedlington name in the 1820s from the village where a well-known specimen lived. Club formation and a standard followed later that century, after which show breeding softened the appearance and established the elaborate trim. Today the Bedlington Terrier is an uncommon companion and show dog, rarely used on vermin, with a small dedicated following.
Originally bred for: Vermin control, Hunting, Companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Bedlington Terrier
A lightly built athletic small dog does well on a quality small-breed diet in measured portions, keeping the arched loin and tucked outline visible rather than filled out. Given the breed's known inherited copper concerns, specific dietary choices are worth reviewing with a veterinarian first.
Watch for: The documented inherited copper storage disorder in this breed makes diet a matter for veterinary guidance rather than guesswork, particularly around organ meats and supplements, and screened lines still merit discussion. Beyond that, terrier-type skin reactions occur individually. Follow veterinary advice on changes.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for small breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Bedlington Terrier
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a comfortable no-pull harness.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.