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| JRT | Jun 19 2006, 01:09 PM |
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Posted Image Description It has been described as a dog with the heart of a lion and the appearance of a lamb. With his pear-shaped head, arched back and curly coat, the Bedlington Terrier in fact does look like a little sheep. The head has no stop, descending in an unbroken line from crown to nose. The eyes are small and deep set. It has a pointed tail and straight front legs with hare-like feet. The thick double coat is a mixture of soft and harsher hairs and comes in blue, liver or sandy. The dog may have tan markings over the eyes and on the legs, chest and rear. The Bedlington has a unique springy gait, particularly when moving slowly. Temperament Careful breeding has resulted in a more companionable and affectionate personality in today's Bedlington Terriers. Playful and cheerful, the Bedlington Terrier is loving with children and fairly friendly with strangers. They are loyal, lively and headstrong. This breed needs to learn to like cats and other household animals when they are young. Usually they can get along with other dogs but keep them away from those that want to dominate, as once challenged they are terrifying fighters, despite their gentle appearance. A little powerhouse, it is courageous and energetic, with the ability to run very fast. It is an enthusiastic digger. Bedlingtons like to bark and can be high-stung. Only let this breed off its lead in an enclosed area. Like the Whippet, he is fast and loves to chase! Health Problems Bedlington Terriers may have a serious inherited liver problem known as Copper Storage Disease. They are also prone to hereditary kidney disease, PRA, thyroid problems and eye problems, such as cataracts and retinal disease. Exercise These active dogs need plenty of exercise and, like other terriers, will be bored and mischievous without it. Life Expectancy 17+ years, one women reported her Bedlington lived to be 23 years old. Litter Size 3 - 6 puppies Grooming The coat sheds little to no hair and requires specialized clipping every six weeks, so it is probably best if you learn to do it yourself. The coat is thinned and clipped close to the head and body to accentuate the shape. Shave the ears closely leaving a tassel on the tips. On the legs, the hair is left slightly longer. Have a professional groomer show you how to do it. Brush the dog regularly and clean the pluck inside the ears. Although frequent bathing will not dry out skin as it does on so many other breeds, it should not be washed too often or the coat will become lank, which is not considered appropriate for the breed. Dogs which are to be shown require higher levels of grooming. This breed is considered good for allergy sufferers. Origin The Bedlington Terrier was originally named the Rothbury Terrier, after the district of Rothbury on the English border. Gypsy nailmakers in Rothbury prized the breed as a hunter of various game including foxes, hares and badgers. In about 1825, a Rothbury dog was mated to a Bedlington bitch, resulting in the Bedlington Terrier. Some sources mention the Otterhound and Dandie Dinmont Terrier as some possible contributors to the breed. Today there are some breeders, especially in England, that will cross Bedlingtons with Whippets and Greyhounds to produce what they call Lurchers. The Bedlington was used as a vermin hunter by the miners of Bedlington who also exploited its gameness as a fighting dog in the pits. Hunters also used them as retrievers. The Bedlington was first exhibited as a separate breed in 1877. Originally it was developed for the hunting of rats and small game in lairs or on open ground (talents it has certainly not forgotten). It is also an attentive and barking watchdog. General Appearance A graceful, lithe, muscular dog, with no signs of either weakness or coarseness. Whole head pear or wedge-shaped, and expression in repose mild and gentle. Characteristics Spirited and game, full of confidence. An intelligent companion with strong sporting instincts. Temperament Good-tempered, having an affectionate nature, dignified, not shy or nervous. Mild in repose but full of courage when roused. Head and Skull Skull narrow, but deep and rounded; covered with profuse silky ‘top-knot’ which should be nearly white. Jaw long and tapering. There must be no ‘stop’, the line from occiput to nose end straight and unbroken. Well filled up beneath eye, close fitting lips, without flew. Nostrils large and well defined. Eyes Small, bright and deep set. Ideal eye has appearance of being triangular. Blues a dark eye; blue and tans have lighter eye with amber lights, livers and sandies a light hazel eye. Ears Moderately sized, filbert-shaped, set on low, and hanging flat to cheek. Thin and velvety in texture; covered with short fine hair with fringe of whitish silky hair at tip. Mouth Teeth large and strong. Scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Neck Long and tapering, deep base with no tendency to throatiness. Springs well up from shoulders, and head carried rather high. Forequarters Forelegs straight, wider apart at chest than at feet. Pasterns long and slightly sloping without weakness. Shoulders flat and sloping. Body Muscular and markedly flexible. Chest deep and fairly broad. Flat ribbed, deep through brisket which reaches to elbow. Back has natural arch over loin creating a definite tuck-up of underline. Body slightly greater in length than height. Hindquarters Muscular and moderate length, arched loin with curved topline immediately above loins. Hindlegs have appearance of being longer than forelegs. Hocks strong and well let down, turning neither in nor out. Moderate turn of stifle. Feet Long hare feet with thick and well closed up pads. Pads sound and free from cracks or horny excrescences. Tail Moderate length, thick at root, tapering to a point and gracefully curved. Set on low, never carried over back. Gait/Movement Capable of galloping at high speed and have appearance of being able to do so. Action very distinctive, rather mincing, light and springy in slower paces and slight roll when in full stride. Coat Very distinctive. Thick and linty, standing well out from skin, but not wiry. A distinct tendency to twist, particularly on head and face. Colour Blue, liver, or sandy with or without tan. Darker pigment to be encouraged. Blues and blue and tans must have black noses; liver and sandies must have brown noses. Size Height: about 41 cms (16 ins) at withers. This allows for slight variation below in the case of a bitch and above in the case of a dog. Weight: 8-10 kgs (18-23 lbs). Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. *Information taken from dogbreedinfo.com and the-kennel-club.org.uk* |
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| Bedlington Terrier · Breed Profiles | |
2:41 PM Nov 26
