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Bedlington Terrier Personality traits and Temperament
They are fun loving, affectionate and lovable dogs with a mild and gentle temperament. They are very energetic and can make excellent playmates for children. They can tolerate a great deal of rough handling by the children and are great dogs for housed with young children, although adult supervision is always needed. They are very devoted to their owners and can become attached to one person in particular. They always like to be the centre of attention and demand constant companionship. Even though they have a playful streak, they can match the moods of their owners and can even a silent companion for seniors.
They have medium energy levels and require their daily walks and exercise. They are capable of running at high speeds, therefore keep them on a leash or put them in safely fenced areas. They are not suited to living outdoors and are appropriate for an apartment as long as they have a safe place to exercise.
They are good guard dogs and everyone within earshot will know if a stranger or intruder is around. Once properly introduced they get along well with visitors. Even though they are small, they can be very daring and dogmatic. They can put up a good fight if challenged.
They love digging and chasing rats and other vermin. They can get jealous of other pets and may show signs of being territorial.
Grooming, Haircuts and Shedding
The breed has distinctive wool like coat that consists of both hard and soft hairs. The coat has a tendency to curl up especially at the head and face. These breeds require extensive grooming and you may have to consult an expert or may have to learn from them.
The hairs of the head must be trimmed and shaved to get the distinctive look of the breed. Their ears must be kept shaved. The coat must also be trimmed every 6-8 weeks to maintain their appearance.
They are low to moderate shedders. They moult during spring and summer. Brushing must be done regularly, if not the hairs can all knot and will become difficult to maintain. They should not be bathed often as this can spoil their coat. Trimming of nails and proper dental care must be practised. Tear stains are common in these dogs. Wipe around the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to minimize staining
Size and Characteristics
Price Range: this dog for sale may cost between $1200 – $1800
Life expectancy: the life span is generally of about 12 -14 YEARS
Weight: 17-23 pounds
Height: 15-18 inches
Colors: Liver, Blue, Sandy, Liver & Tan, Blue & Tan, Sandy & Tan
How to Train this dog
They always have an eager to please attitude therefore they are very easy to train. The learn commands quickly and are very responsive to these commands. Training and socialisation should start at an early age. Use positive reinforcement techniques such as praise, play, and food rewards. They can be housebreak easily and crate training is always helpful. They should be trained to accept grooming at an early age. Show dogs can be trained for agility, obedience, or tracking. If the dogs are not properly trained they can develop a stubborn streak.
Health Issues and Food
Diet: They should be fed a balanced diet of either high quality dry food or raw food. Avoid supplementation with copper.
Allergies: Hypoallergenic
Health problems: They are predisposed to a hereditary disease called copper toxicosis wherein the liver is not able to excrete excess copper leading to illness and death. They can also suffer from patellar luxation, eye problems such as retinal dysplasia, distichiasis, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Kidney problems like cortical hypoplasia is also seen
Mixed breeds
Beddywhippets is a Bedlington Terrier and Whippet mix. They are very high energy busy intelligent and often stubborn little dogs, bred for poaching.
Bedlington Greyhound Lurcher is a Greyhound Bedlington Terrier cross. They are used for pest control.
Best female and male dog names
You can name your Bedlington Terrier as Gus or Blaze if he is a male and Angel or Puffy if she is a female.
How to adopt this dog
You can also browse a specific site to adopt a Bedlington Terrier
Pictures and Videos
Photo Credits: Elyssa Albert,David Owsiany