Bedlington Terrier - Dog breed

The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of terrier named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.

Appearance

The Bedlington Terrier is often described as looking like a lamb on a leash, probably because it has non-shedding fur with a wooly texture. These dogs may be blue, sandy, or liver, and can be solid colours or have tan markings. These become paler as the dog grows older.
This breed has a wedge-shaped head with sparkling eyes. Although it looks meek when reclining on the couch, the Bedlington Terrier is argumentative and every inch a terrier when aroused. Its body shape, however, is unusual for a terrier, being somewhat like a Greyhound or Whippet in construction, which enables it to gallop at great speed. However, the front legs are constructed differently from those quick hounds in that the front legs are closer together at the feet than at the elbows. This enables a Bedlington Terrier to turn or pivot quickly when chasing quarry at high speed. At a trot, the Bedlington moves with a 'mincing' gait, picking its feet up in what appears to be a dainty manner.
The Bedlington Terriers are groomed with large patches of fur on their heads and ears. This practice is from when the Bedlington used to hunt rats. The rodents, while trying to squirm away, would try to claw at their ears or head. But with large amounts of fur, they just become entangled in it.

Temperament

These do-all dogs were able to do almost anything asked of them, if in classic terrier manner. Bedlingtons would have to be able hold its own when pitted in dog fighting contests and was particularly well known to fight to the death when set upon. In addition, it was fast enough to bay a badger or a fox and was a first-rate water dog.