Bedlington Terrier

Temperament

The FCI standard puts it well: mild and gentle when at rest, full of courage when roused. At home a Bedlington tends to be calm, affectionate and a little dignified, and it likes to curl up on the couch next to its owner. Outdoors it is a full-blooded terrier and sighthound-type chaser, bred to run down small animals, so it will take off after a cat or rabbit at great speed. It doesn't look for trouble, but if another dog provokes it, it can hold its own. It usually lives well with children if they are calm and respect its space. It is intelligent and can learn, although terrier independence sometimes wins over the wish to cooperate. With strangers it stays alert and barks a warning, but it settles down quickly once the visitor is let in.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Bedlington Terrier for?

The Bedlington works well for a person or family in an apartment or house who enjoy walks and value a dog that is calm indoors and energetic outside. It can be a good choice for someone with allergies. It isn't for homes with cats from outside the family or rodents, for people who don't want to clip a dog regularly, or for someone dreaming of a dog that runs loose in the woods.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

A Bedlington needs 45–75 minutes of exercise a day: walks, fetch and activities such as agility, tracking or earthdog work. The AKC recommends a fenced area and a leash on all walks, because it will take off after a fleeing animal without hesitation. The coat hardly sheds but grows quickly, so about every two months it needs clipping and scissoring, either at the groomer or at home once you've learned the technique. Between trims, brushing and combing once or twice a week is enough. Trim the nails regularly and ideally brush the teeth every day. Training should be short, interesting and reward-based, because a Bedlington quickly loses interest in monotonous exercises. From puppyhood, get it used to clipping, baths and having its paws handled, so grooming visits aren't stressful for the dog or the owner.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Bedlington is one of the long-lived terriers: a 2024 UK study found a median of 13.7 years, and the AKC gives 11–16 years. The breed's most characteristic problem is inherited copper toxicosis linked to a mutation in the COMMD1 gene: copper builds up in the liver and can lead to liver damage. The British Kennel Club counts the DNA test for this disease as good breeding practice and an eye exam as best practice. The American breed club also recommends screening hips, elbows, thyroid and clotting disorders. When buying a puppy, always ask for both parents' COMMD1 test results.

• copper toxicosis (COMMD1 mutation)Inherited buildup of copper in the liver; the Kennel Club counts the DNA test as good breeding practice.
• eye diseaseEye exams for the parents are recommended.
• hip and elbow dysplasiaUS breeders screen the parents' joints.
• hypothyroidismSigns include weight gain and lethargy.
• von Willebrand disease and thrombopathyBlood clotting disorders found in the breed.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Bedlington can boast the longest documented pedigree of any terrier. It comes from the old mining areas of northern England and was known as the Rothbury Terrier, taking its current name from the mining town of Bedlington in Northumberland. Its job was catching rabbits for the family table and controlling vermin, from rabbits to foxes. The breed's origins are debated: the Kennel Club mentions a possible admixture of Bull Terrier, Otterhound and Dandie Dinmont Terrier. The first breed society was founded in 1877.

Fun facts

• The Bedlington used to be called the Rothbury Terrier.
• The first breed society was founded as early as 1877.
• The FCI standard requires the topknot on the head to be nearly white.
• Blue and blue-and-tan Bedlingtons must have a black nose, while liver and sandy ones have a brown nose.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Dogs for allergy sufferers
• Best dogs for apartments
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)

Sources

1. 1FCI – wzorzec nr 9 Bedlington Terrierfci.be
2. 2AKC – Bedlington Terrierakc.org
3. 3The Kennel Club – Bedlington Terrierthekennelclub.org.uk
4. 4McMillan i in. 2024, Longevity of companion dog breeds, Scientific Reportsnature.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.