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Terrier · England

Bedlington Terrier

A walker's guide to the Bedlington Terrier: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Small, 8 to 10 kgActiveLamb-like lookFast sprinterLow sheddingPrey drive
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy3 of 5
Walk styleGentle, then explosive
With other dogsFine, but will fight back

Overview

The Bedlington Terrier was bred by miners and nail makers in the north east of England to catch rats, rabbits and badgers and to race for money. It carries whippet blood in its arched back and long legs and a soft, curly, lamb-like coat in blue, liver or sandy. The look is deceptive; the dog underneath is a fast, tenacious hunter.

At home Bedlingtons are quiet and affectionate. Outdoors they combine a terrier's determination with a sighthound's speed, and most owners accept that recall has limits.

Exercise and walking needs

An hour a day is right for most adults, including an opportunity to sprint in safety. They are fast enough to catch rabbits and will try.

They enjoy longer country walks and have the stamina for them, but much of their need is met by short, intense bursts rather than steady miles.

Daily minimum60 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeSecure fields only

On the walk

  • Recall: Unreliable around prey. A Bedlington that spots a squirrel or rabbit is off at sighthound speed. Secure fields or a long line.
  • Other dogs: Usually fine and often playful, but they will not back down from a fight and were bred to finish one. Avoid tense encounters.
  • Lead manners: Easy and light on the lead until something runs, then a sudden lunge. A harness protects the neck.
  • Coat: The soft, curly coat picks up seeds and twigs and mats when wet. Avoid the thickest undergrowth.
  • Small animals: Cats, rabbits and rats trigger the terrier instinct. Keep well clear of anywhere they are common.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Find a secure field where the dog can run flat out once or twice a week.
  2. Use a harness with a secure fit; the slim head slips a standard collar.
  3. Separate the dog from any play that gets heated before it escalates.
  4. Keep treats for recall practice and reward every return in low-distraction places.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • Has the dog any health conditions the owner wants you to be aware of, and any dietary rules that follow from them?
  • How does it react to small animals and cats, and has it ever caught anything?
  • Which dogs does it know well, and has it ever been in a fight?
WhippetA gentle sighthound that needs a safe place to sprintDandie Dinmont TerrierA longLakeland TerrierA hardy Cumbrian fell terrierLurcherBritain's sighthound cross