Bedlington Terrier
BED-ling-tun
United Kingdom· Bedlington, Northumberland
The Bedlington Terrier is a curly-coated, lamb-shaped terrier from the mining town of Bedlington in Northumberland, bred to hunt vermin both above and below ground.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Small
Exercise needs
45-60 minutes daily
Home size suited to
Flat or small home
Grooming frequency
Brush every other day, clip regularly
Coat length
Curly
Sheds
Very little
Lifespan
13-15 years
Town or country
Either, with enough exercise
Garden size needed
Small garden or none
Where it comes from
Origins of the Bedlington Terrier
Developed among miners and travellers in the Northumberland town of Bedlington, where a fast, tenacious terrier was needed to bolt vermin and course game. Whippet blood gave it unusual speed for a terrier.
- Region
- Bedlington, Northumberland
- Climate it was bred for
- Cold, damp northern England
- Original job
- Vermin hunting and hare coursing
The long read
About the breed
It developed in the early nineteenth century among Northumberland miners and gypsies, who needed a fast, gritty terrier able to bolt otters, rats and rabbits and, when required, course hares for the pot. Crosses likely included the Dandie Dinmont, Whippet and various rough terriers, producing a dog with real speed alongside typical terrier tenacity. Its distinctive arched back and topknot give it an almost lamb-like silhouette that surprises people who expect terrier looks and get a small greyhound instead.
Living with a Bedlington means owning a dog that looks decorative but has genuine working instincts underneath. It is affectionate and often quite gentle with its own family, including children, but retains a strong prey drive and can be reactive toward other dogs, particularly of the same sex, and unreliable around cats and small pets. It is fast and enjoys a proper run, and its curly, non-shedding coat needs clipping roughly every two months to keep the characteristic shape, along with regular brushing between trims.
Today it is a relatively uncommon breed outside dedicated fancier circles, valued by those who know it for combining terrier courage with an unusually calm, biddable temperament indoors. It suits an owner who wants a low-shedding companion with real athletic ability and does not mind a grooming bill every couple of months.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Bedlington Terrier greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
Intelligent but can be independent-minded.
Energy
4/5
Fast and athletic, enjoys a proper run.
Barking
2/5
Generally quieter than most terriers.
Grooming
4/5
Curly coat needs clipping roughly every two months.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Bedlington Terrier is for someone taking on their first dog.
Sociability
3/5
Gentle with family, can be reactive with other dogs.
Independence
3/5
Retains strong hunting instincts.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Bedlington Terrier's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Colours & patterns
Recognised coats
Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.
Blue
Standard colour
The classic and most recognisable colour.
Liver
Standard colour
A warm brown shade, less common than blue.
Sandy
Standard colour
A pale, sandy tone, fully accepted.
Blue and Tan
Standard colour
Blue with defined tan points.
Timeline
History & development
early 1800s
Northumberland origins
Miners and travelling communities around Bedlington developed a fast terrier for vermin and hare coursing.
1825
Named after the town
The breed took its name from Bedlington after a notable early dog, Piper, gained local fame.
1877
Kennel Club recognition
The Bedlington Terrier Club was formed and the breed was recognised with a formal standard.
1948
Established in North America
The breed had built a small but dedicated following among American fanciers.
1950s onward
The breed today
Kennel club registrations settled into a steady pattern and the Bedlington Terrier moved from a working specialist to a family companion, with breed clubs in the UK and abroad now focused on health testing and keeping true type alive.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Deep-chested, arched loin, tucked flank.
- coat
- Thick, curly, non-shedding, standing off the skin.
- ears
- Moderate, hanging flat, tipped with hair.
- eyes
- Small, triangular, deep-set.
- gait
- Light, springy, mildly mincing.
- head
- Narrow, deep, with a distinctive topknot.
- size
- Small
- tail
- Low set, tapering to a point.
- colour
- Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan. Colours outside this list are seen but are not accepted by the kennel clubs.
- temperament
- Typical of the breed: strongest in energy, grooming, trainability. Nervousness or aggression are serious faults in the show ring and in the home.
- general appearance
- Graceful, lamb-like outline with an arched back.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
Copper toxicosis
Watch closely
A breed-specific liver condition; ask for a DNA test certificate on both parents.
Patellar luxation
Screen for it
Ask for a patella check certificate.
Distichiasis
Low concern
Ask about eye examination results; misplaced eyelashes can irritate the cornea.
Renal cortical hypoplasia
Screen for it
Discuss kidney health history with the breeder.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Bedlington Terriers added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Bedlington Terrier
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Bedlington Terrier illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Bedlington Terrier Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Bedlington Terrier illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Bedlington Terrier Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Bedlington Terrier illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Bedlington Terrier Mug
Ceramic mug with the Bedlington Terrier illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Travel Water Bottle & Bowl
550ml bottle with a fold-out drinking trough.
Fits any dog
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