Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier was originally known as the Rothbury Terrier. They originated in the Hannys hills, where the sportsman there loved a game terrier.

In Bedlington, a colony of nailers took to the breed and became noted for their plucky terriers. Of this dogs gameness there was not the slightest doubt-they never shirked at any kind of vermin and could more than hold his own at drawing a badger or at ratting in or out of Wales. They were used to catch badgers, foxes, otters and other vermin. They do not seek out mischief, but if these dogs do begin to fight, it is always to the death.

In 1877, the National Bedlington Terrier Club was established in England. They were determined to bring notice to the public about these terriers, and began exhibiting them in public and on the show bench.

The Bedlington has a very distinctive mixture of hard and soft hair standing well out from the skin. It is crisp to the touch but not wiry, and it has a tendency to curl. Their colors can be blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. Males should be 16 and a half inches tall, females 15 and a half inches. Weight should be proportionate to height, and be between 17-23 pounds.

The inherited copper storage disease of Bedlington Terriers (copper toxicosis, CT) was first recognized in a 1975. The copper storage disease in Bedlington Terriers is an autosomal recessive trait. This means that a dog must have two abnormal genes, one from the sire and one from the dam, before the liver will accumulate the excess copper. A heterozygous individual (one normal gene and one abnormal gene) will have a normal liver copper concentration. A heterozygous dog will never suffer liver damage from excess copper accumulation, but can pass the abnormal gene to his/her offspring. he breeder may be able to guarantee that your puppy will not be affected with CT because of knowledge of the parents' genetic status gained through DNA analysis and test mating.

Bedlingtons can be extremely dog aggressive, so it's important to introduce new pets very carefully and don't leave the new pet alone with your Bedlington until they've had several weeks to get to know each other.