So you think you want a Bedlington?
There are some questions which potential and new owners often ask us, such as:

Q. Are Bedlingtons suitable for people with asthma and allergies?

A.Whilst this is important for anyone who does have an allergy to pet hair, it should not be the only reason you are considering a Bedlington - remember they are Terriers, with all that goes with it. They are a lively, intelligent breed, who will find something to occupy them if you don't keep them mentally stimulated and physically active, and occasionally the things they discover to play with may not be what you'd like them to have. They are also time-consuming to groom. Back to the question, though - it seems that, as with poodles and bichon frises, people with asthma and allergies can tolerate Bedlington hair, but there is still the risk when you're grooming your dog that tiny particles of hair, skin cells and tiny bits of dust can aggravate your condition, so these dogs don't come with a guarantee. We'd recommend that you visit a Bedlington breeder, to see how you react to these dogs, before you plunge in and buy one, just in the hope that you'll be able to live with it!

Q. Are there any health problems?

A. The main thing to be aware of is an inherited disease called Copper Toxicosis. Dogs which are affected by this disease may die prematurely, or become chronically ill. CT is caused by a defect in a specific gene (COMMD-1), which can result in the dog being unable to metabolise properly the copper found in foodstuffs, causing a build-up in the dog's liver which may be fatal. Because of the way the gene is inherited from the parents, it is essential that potential owners ask the breeder about CT, and whether the parents, and/or the puppies have been tested. Responsible and reputable breeders have been having their dogs tested for several generations, so should be able to tell you their results. The newest test, carried out in the UK by the Animal Health Trust, is quick, simple, painless and non-invasive, and at £50 is money well spent, as it could save you a great deal of expense and heartache in the long run. Puppies who are shown to be "affected" (having inherited a copy of the defective gene from both parents) will need life-long veterinary supervision. Puppies who are shown to be "carriers" have inherited only one copy of the defective gene, with the other copy being normal, and these puppies do not develop the disease. Great care must be taken, however, if you decide to breed from a carrier, to make sure that you are mating only to a dog or bitch proven to be clear/normal, or you risk breeding pups which themselves may be affected. "Clear/Normal" puppies have, obviously, two copies of the normal gene, and will not develop CT. When the dogs are tested, the AHT issues a certificate - ask to see the certificates if you are buying a puppy.

This is only a very brief outline of Copper Toxicosis and the test for it - you can get a much fuller explanation from the leaflet published by the Bedlington Terrier Health Group - please ask us for a copy if you need more information on CT or on the testing procedure.

There have also been instances in the breed of Cracked Pads (or "footpad Hyperkeratosis). This does not seem to be the problem that it was some years ago, but you do need to be aware of it. A dog affected by this will develop very deep cracks and fissures in the pads of the feet, causing lameness and great pain and distress to the dog, and can also result in horny growths, like corns, on the edges of the pads, and may badly distort the toenails. Unfortunately, this problem may not be seen in young puppies, so if you have any concerns, talk to the breeders. There is some argument on whether this condition is inherited, but it does seem that some pedigree lines have been worse affected than others in the past. Again, ask for the Health Group's latest leaflet if you want more information.

Q. They don't moult, do they, so do they need much grooming?

A. The short answer is, yes, they do need a good deal of careful attention to their coats, since they don't "moult" in the conventional sense. As the dead hair doesn't fall out all over your furniture and floors, you might think this makes the dogs easier to keep than other breeds. However, the dead hair still needs to be removed, on a regular basis, or it will mat and tangle with the new, growing hair and you'll be left with a dog who is scruffy, knotted and very uncomfortable, along with a big bill from the local grooming parlour for putting things right. If you want a Bedlington, you'll have to be prepared to comb your dog thoroughly, right down to the skin, every couple of days. Simply slicking over the top of the coat with a soft brush will not do. It's a relatively easy task to comb your dog - mine enjoy lying on my lap while I'm watching TV, and being combed thoroughly every few days - they like the "personal attention" they get, and it becomes a pleasurable experience, rather than an uncomfortable battle heaving and pulling at knots and tangles if you neglect the grooming for too long. They will also need a regular trim - you can learn to do this yourself, and there are excellent videos to help you (see our merchandise page), or contact the National Bedlington terrier Club for a copy of their illustrated Breed Standard, which includes a guide to trimming - or pay a visit to the grooming salon every six weeks or so.

Q. What colours do Bedlingtons come in?

A. The Kennel Club's breed standard says that Bedlingtons can be blue, liver or sandy, with or without tan, but this can be quite confusing when you go to see a litter of puppies for the first time. The mother may be obviously any one of those colours, but seeing puppies can sometime be a bit of a surprise for first-time owners. The ones which will be "blue" (i.e. shades of grey) will be black, those which will be "liver" are a dark, almost purply brown, and the ones which will be "sandy" are a slightly lighter, warmer shade of brown. The ones with tan will also have brown legs, eyebrows, and muzzles (rather like the markings on an Airedale Terrier). The colour will change gradually over a period of time, as the puppy's coat grows and develops, but it's difficult to say how long it will be before the coat colour is finished, Indeed, the adult coat will not stay exactly the same throughout the dog's life - "in-season" bitches, for instance, will often develop a really dark coat, and changes in the seasons of the year can often apparently affect the coat.

Q. Are they good with other dogs and children?

A. Bedlingtons, in the main, don't go out looking for trouble, but if any other dog threatens to start a scrap, a Bedlington will often be only too pleased to take him on. Despite the fact that their appearance can fool many people into thinking they're a soppy breed with a temperament like the lambs they're often described as looking like, they are terriers from their noses to the tips of their toes, with everything that involves. They are generally brave, protective, sometimes a bit fiery, and woe betide any intruders, whether this is the letter the postman is popping through the letterbox or the invading cat which dares venture into your garden. They will generally live and play quite happily with other dogs, but you need to think very carefully about keeping two males together - some owners manage this very well, with no trouble at all, but others have found it quite a problem. If you're new to Bedlington ownership, you will need to give very careful consideration to potential problems if you're thinking of buying two male puppies. Bedlingtons love being with people, and there are very few problems with them living with children - frankly, it's often more a question of "will the Bedlington be safe with my children?" rather than "will the kids be safe with the dog?" Even the most laid-back, genial, gentle dog will react if he's having his tail pulled, being pushed and heaved about, or generally being treated too roughly, and small children in particular can often, quite unintentionally, be rather cruel. Bedlingtons can react like lightning, too, so we'd recommend that small children are never left alone with any dog, but properly brought up children and properly brought up puppies can develop a relationship which is second to none.

Q. How much do they cost?

A. This is a tough one, but bear in mind that, as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. If you are going to a reputable, responsible breeder, (who has chosen the best stud dog for his bitch, had all the appropriate health tests done, has cared for the bitch throughout her pregnancy with a combination of quality feeding and excellent care, and who has reared the puppies well), and the puppies are Kennel Club registered, insured, vaccinated, wormed etc, you should expect to be paying between £500 and £650. It can seem like a lot of money, but you will be getting a companion who may be with you for 15 or 16 years. When you make any puppy enquiries, if the price is a good deal lower than that, ask yourself "Why?"; similarly, if the price is a good deal higher, again ask "Why?" We often get potential owners, on hearing the price, say "but we only want a pet" - well, it costs just as much to produce and rear a "pet" puppy as it does a possible Champion - good breeders don't skimp on the care, whatever the eventual home, and we'd all like to think that each and every one of our pups goes to a home where it will be a much-loved pet and companion, whether it does a stint in the show-ring or not.

Q. What about a rescue dog?

A.There are two main Bedlington rescue schemes running now - one is the Bedlington Terrier Rescue and Rehoming Scheme which has been operating for over thirty years, with a network of caring, dedicated individuals across the length and breadth of the UK, and the other is a relatively new scheme set up under the auspices of the National Bedlington Terrier Club. Both organisations are dedicated to the welfare of the Bedlington, and they will be happy to hear from any potential owners who feel they might be able to take on a dog which has fallen on hard times. Contact the BT Rescue and Rehoming Scheme Co-ordinator on 01273 812409, or the NBTC Scheme via their website (see our "Links" page) Still want a Bedlington? Then please get in touch with our own Puppy Register Co-ordinator (see our index), and Good Luck! - you'll be joining a wonderful band of Bedlington lovers, and becoming involved with a very special breed.