Did you know?
A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.
Bedlington Terrier
A dog is like an eternal Peter Pan, a child who never grows old and who therefore is always available to love and be loved. – Aaron Katcher
The Bedlington Terrier originates near Bedlington in the county of Northumberland, Great Britain. Also known as the Rothbury or Northumberland Terrier, the Bedlington was bred by coal miners as a ratter, a fighting dog, and a hunter of small game (fox, weasel, rabbit, and even otter). He was developed to go to ground after his quarry, as well to swim it down, and chase it down!
The Bedlington’s speed was prized by poachers during the 18th Century, and he became known as “the Gypsy dog”. He has powerful swimming skills, reaching speeds comparable to those of water dogs such as the Newfoundland, and on land they “have pace enough to keep up with the ordinary speed of a horse.”
The Bedlington Terrier stands approximately 16 1/2 inches (42 cm) tall at the shoulder. He has an unusual appearance reminiscent of a lamb. His coat is very soft and non-shedding. A Bedlington puppy is born with a dark coat which slowly lightens to blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, or sandy and tan. It does require some specialized grooming to keep the dog’s unique look.
Photos displayed courtesy of Gail Gates/Art Perkins, Boulevardier Reg’d, British Columbia
Although he may seem more like a sporting dog in temperament, the Bedlington is a terrier! Like most terriers, he will stand his ground and when provoked, his terrier spirit will be fully evident!
Playful, entertaining, and affectionate, the Bedlington is particularly good with children. He also gets along well with other family pets but he may chase the cat if given a chance and he has been know to have conflict with other dominant dogs. An excellent family pet, the extroverted Bedlington Terrier loves being the center of attention, but can be jealous of other dogs. He is bright, perky, alert, and makes an excellent watchdog.
Although he can be stubborn, his eager-to-please nature and native intelligence make him easy to train. This dog is active and needs lots of exercise. He should have a fenced yard as he will be gone in a flash if he sees something worth chasing!