The Bedlington Terrier is a breed of small dog named after the mining town of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England. Originally bred to hunt vermin in mines.

 

A Bedlington loves to play, retrieve, jog, help with chores, or share your quiet moments. They will curl up in a little ball or become your inseparable companion as you read, write, sleep, drive, or just sit. They always demand the softest place.

The Bedlington Terrier is graceful, alert, intelligent, and entertaining. They are characteristically inquisitive, perceptive, opinionated and affectionate. Their great love of people and particular joy with children endears them to young and old.

The temperament is two-fold; very quiet, much like a sporting dog, until aroused – then the aggressive terrier spirit dominates. They are very protective of their families.

Bedlingtons are bright, clownish extroverts. They are always anxious to love, please, and be the center of attention whether in the show ring or in any room of your house. They are very quick to train their humans to gush all over them.

Their greatest talent is the running of a household. This includes being fantastic hosts that leap for joy when company arrives. Astute judgement of the legitimacy of any visitors has proven them to be excellent watch dogs.

 

Adopted from a publication of the BTCA.