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AKC: Bedlington Terrier breed overview

Terrier group · England

Bedlington Terrier

Also called Rothbury Terrier, Bedlington

A terrier that looks like a lamb, runs like a whippet and needs a scissor-shaped trim every few weeks.

The Bedlington comes from the mining country of Northumberland, where it hunted vermin and was prized for speed and tenacity. Its curly, lamb-like coat hardly sheds but needs regular clipping and shaping. Underneath, it is a lively, affectionate terrier with plenty of determination.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

8 to 10 kg

18 to 22 lb

Height

38 to 44 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 16 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

12 months

approximate model input

Life with a Bedlington Terrier

Most people meeting a Bedlington for the first time think they are looking at a lamb. The curly, pale coat and pear-shaped head give a soft appearance, but beneath it is a terrier with a hunter's heart. In the coal mining villages of Northumberland, these dogs were used to catch rats and rabbits and were admired for speed and courage.

The breed was first known as the Rothbury Terrier, and early dogs are often credited to the Rothbury area and later to the town of Bedlington. Some historians suggest links with whippets, Dandie Dinmont Terriers or Otterhounds, but records are limited. Traveling people and poachers are said to have valued the breed for its quick, quiet hunting ability.

At home, Bedlingtons are affectionate, playful and gentle, often enjoying a cuddle on the sofa after an active walk. They are generally good with people but may be feisty with unfamiliar dogs, and their terrier instincts mean they may chase small animals. They are clever and sensitive, and they do best with patient, fair training.

Owners often describe the breed as having two gears. Indoors, a Bedlington drapes itself over cushions and follows you quietly from room to room. Outside, the arched back and long legs power a springing gallop, and a rabbit on the horizon can switch the dog into hunting mode in a heartbeat. Plan your life around both sides of that personality.

What stands out

Grooming

Grooming is the defining part of Bedlington care. The coat grows continuously and does not shed much, so it needs brushing two or three times a week with a slicker brush and comb to prevent mats, especially behind the ears, under the legs and on the chest. A professional trim every 6 to 8 weeks keeps the characteristic shape, with a rounded head, tasseled ears and a smooth outline over the arched back.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
Daily
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Minimal
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

owners who enjoy grooming or professional grooming visits
people wanting a low-shedding dog
active households
families with older children

Think twice if

regular professional grooming costs
strong chasing instinct
copper storage disease in the breed
sometimes feisty with unfamiliar dogs

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Bedlington Terrier eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	9 kg	510 kcal	140 g (1.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	9 kg	580 kcal	155 g (1.5 cups)
Male, typical pet	9 kg	580 kcal	155 g (1.5 cups)
Male, very active	9 kg	730 kcal	195 g (2 cups)

Full Bedlington Terrier feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Bedlington Terrier

Feeding5 cups), split into two meals. Active dogs may need more, while less active or older dogs need less.Read more Puppy growthPuppies grow quickly and reach adult size around 10 to 12 months. Coat color changes over the first year: blue puppies are born almost black and lighten to a pale blue-gray, while liver and sandy puppies lighten too.Read more ExerciseAdult Bedlingtons need around 60 minutes of activity a day, including brisk walks and chances to run in secure areas. They are surprisingly fast and love chasing games, agility and lure coursing.Read more TrainingBedlingtons are intelligent and eager to please, but they have a terrier streak and can be independent. Positive reinforcement, short sessions and variety work best.Read more HealthThe best-known health issue in the breed is copper toxicosis, an inherited condition in which copper builds up in the liver. A DNA test for the main mutation (COMMD1) has greatly reduced the problem, and responsible breeders test all breeding dogs.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Originally known as the Rothbury Terrier, after the town in Northumberland
2Puppies are born dark and lighten over the first year
3The coat is clipped and scissored every 6 to 8 weeks to keep its shape
4Known for a genetic copper storage disease, now tested for by DNA
5Can gallop at high speed thanks to a flexible, arched back

Bedlington Terrier questions

Do Bedlington Terriers shed?

They shed very little, which is why many people with mild allergies consider them. However, no dog is completely hypoallergenic, and the coat needs regular brushing and clipping to prevent mats. If allergies are a concern, spend time with Bedlingtons before committing.

Why does a Bedlington Terrier look like a lamb?

The lamb-like look comes from the curly coat, pale color and a special grooming style that shapes a rounded head and a smooth outline over the arched back. Tassels are left on the ears. Without grooming, the coat would grow long and shaggy.

What is copper toxicosis in Bedlington Terriers?

It is an inherited condition where copper builds up in the liver, which can lead to liver disease. A DNA test is available, and responsible breeders test breeding dogs to avoid producing affected puppies. Ask for test results before buying a puppy.

Are Bedlington Terriers good with other dogs?

Many get on well with dogs they know, but some can be feisty with unfamiliar dogs, especially of the same sex. Early socialization and supervised introductions help. Their terrier instincts mean they may chase small animals.

How often does a Bedlington need grooming?

Brush two or three times a week and plan for a full trim every 6 to 8 weeks. Many owners use a professional groomer familiar with the breed's style. Regular grooming prevents mats and keeps the characteristic lamb-like look.

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