Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is the most unusual-looking of all terrier breeds — often described as resembling a lamb in appearance but a lion in heart.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United Kingdom
Lifespan
14–16 years
Weight
8–10 kg (17–23 lbs)
Height
38–43 cm (15–17 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — quality small-breed kibble; copper-restricted diet important for affected individuals
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Bedlington Terrier is the most unusual-looking of all terrier breeds — often described as resembling a lamb in appearance but a lion in heart. Named after the mining town of Bedlington in Northumberland, the breed was developed as a versatile working terrier by miners and gypsies who needed a dog capable of catching vermin and racing in impromptu coursing events. The Bedlington's unique appearance — pear-shaped head, tasselled ears, arched back, and thick, linty non-shedding coat — is unlike any other dog. Despite its gentle appearance, the Bedlington is a genuine terrier with terrier speed, tenacity, and a willingness to fight.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
The Bedlington is immediately recognisable by its unique profile — a narrow, pear-shaped head with a topknot of lighter hair, a Roman nose, small almond-shaped eyes, low-set ears with silky tassels, an arched back, and a coat of thick, linty curls that is neither wiry nor silky. Freshly groomed Bedlingtons have a sculpted, lamb-like appearance. Colours are blue, liver, or sandy — each with or without tan points. The coat is non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
Grooming
High
Shedding
None
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-3-4-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Bedlingtons are gentle and affectionate with their family — considerably milder in temperament than most terrier breeds in domestic settings. They are sensitive and respond well to kind handling. Their working heritage means they retain considerable speed (they were used for rabbit coursing) and prey drive. They can be dog-aggressive — particularly with same-sex dogs — despite their gentle appearance.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
4/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
3/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
aloofness, aggression when provoked, barking, stubbornness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Daily vigorous exercise of 45–60 minutes — they are faster than they look. The unique coat requires professional grooming every 6–8 weeks to maintain the characteristic shape. Daily brushing between appointments. Copper testing of breeding stock is important.
Nutrition Notes
Copper toxicosis (copper storage disease) is the breed's defining health issue — COPPER-RESTRICTED DIET is essential for affected dogs. Avoid copper-rich foods (liver, shellfish, chocolate). DNA test available but incomplete penetrance. Regular liver copper level monitoring.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Copper toxicosis — liver biopsy recommended at age 1 for baseline, then monitor. Retinal dysplasia. PRA. Renal cortical hypoplasia. "Lamb-like appearance, lion-like heart" — looks gentle but has sighthound and terrier ancestry. 11-16 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
700 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
500 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Copper toxicosis is the most significant breed-specific condition — an inherited inability to metabolise copper normally leads to copper accumulation in the liver causing progressive liver disease. DNA testing is available. All breeding stock should be tested. Regular liver enzyme monitoring is recommended.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Looks like a lamb but fastest terrier breed. Liver copper monitoring is ongoing cost. India: very rare.
Purchase Price
$1,500 to $3,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Bedlington Terrier has been recorded as one of the fastest dog breeds over short distances — its combination of sighthound-like body and terrier tenacity gives it remarkable speed for its size.
Despite looking like a fluffy lamb, the Bedlington was known historically as a ferocious fighting dog — miners in Northumberland used them in illegal dog fights where their speed and tenacity made them surprisingly formidable opponents.
The Bedlington's copper toxicosis gene is one of the most studied inherited metabolic disorders in veterinary medicine — research on the breed has contributed significantly to the understanding of Wilson's disease (a similar condition) in humans.
