As well as the obvious perks of the Bedlington
such as a non-shedding coat and smaller size, there are other attributes
of the breed which are not so apparent until one finally meets one.
In temperament, the Bedlington is unlike most of
his other Terrier counterparts, he tends to be a bit more sensitive and a
lot quieter. They are extremely tractable dogs and are very loyal to
their owners and families. Bedlingtons excel in obedience and are very
easily trained by a sensitive hand. They do not take well to harsh
corrections nor do they seem to need it. Many owners marvel at their
Bedlington being always by their side yet never in the way.
The Bedlington will seldom go looking for trouble
and prefers to turn away from confrontations with other dogs. However,
should the situation arise where he feels threatened and there is no way
of escape, he will stand his ground and retaliate with incredible
swiftness.
When out walking, the Bedlington should never be
let off leash. This is a dog built for speed and they can run extremely
quickly. Should a bird or squirrel cross their path they will most likely
give chase and in many instances catch their quarry. The instinct to do
what they were bred to do is alive and well in many individual dogs and
owners should always be aware of this There usually is no great difference between the
personality of a male or a female. Both the boys and girls are intensely
loving, loyal and tractable. The boys are equal to the girls in their task
of loyal affection to their humans.
Bedlingtons seem to fit into just about any home
environment. For those who like to run many miles everyday, there’s a
Bedlington for you. For the more sedate owners who enjoy their creature
comforts, there’s also a Bedlington who will eagerly accept the easy
life. In short, a Bedlington is a dog that is easy going, quiet, clean,
sensitive, intelligent, aware of their owner’s mood, very polite,
won’t demand to go walking if you don’t feel like it, will delight in
a ten mile hike if you feel like it, won’t be constantly bouncing off
the walls, will defend their owners perhaps to the death, will sleep on
the bed, will sleep on the couch, will treat your guests as if they were
best friends, will help you plant (or un-plant) your garden, won’t eat
you out of house and home and so much more.
When you have decided to get a
Bedlington, your
best course of action is to let the breeder pick out a puppy for you.
Breeders know their puppies and have a better chance of matching the right
pup to the right owner.
Grooming the Bedlington can be accomplished with a little dedication and a
good eye. If your dog is destined for the show ring, it is best to ask the
breeder to show you how to groom. For pets, the main concern is keeping
the coat mat free and clean. Attention to the eyes, ears and nails is the
same for any dog no matter its vocation.
A dog with a typical coat that is well pigmented
and has ample guard hairs to give a springy and slightly crispy feel to it
is a joy for the owner to maintain. These coats require a thorough
brushing out maybe only once or twice a week depending on how fussy the
owner is. Baths are almost never required as this type of coat sheds dirt
very easily and quickly.
The much less desired yet all too common coat lacks enough of these guard
hairs and tends to mat quickly. It will not hold a combing for very long
and does not shed dirt. These dogs can be helped by clipping down the coat
very short periodically and the new coat that grows in sometimes improves
in texture. These coats are usually stark white (a breed fault) and
although thick, are often way too soft to be considered correct.
Bedlingtons may not be perfect for everyone.
However, when they do fit an owner's requirements, there is perhaps no
finer animal available to share one's life with.
| 
About Bedlingtons
