HAVE YOU ENTERED THE ALL NATURAL TREAT GIVEAWAY? DO IT NOW!
Have you ever seen a Bedlington Terrier? Y’all, I was at Westminster, looking at more dogs than I could shake a stick at, and came across the Bedlington Terrier. All I could think was, “This isn’t a real dog.” Then, “This is a Star Wars dog. George Lucas created this dog.” Lookit.
So I decided, since the Bedlington Terrier is a real dog, to see what kind of dog it is. And whether or not I’d want one as a pet. Or, you know, an action figure.
I was surprised, first, to find it in the terrier category. It reminds me of an oddly cut Poodle. And I found myself wondering if they were all white, since every one I saw at Westminster was white. Here’s what the AKC page has to say about the Bedlington Terrier.
Wait a minute … is that a dog or a lamb? Fear not, these graceful terriers in sheep’s clothing are all dog. Bedlingtons are lithe, energetic Englishmen standing 15.5 to 16.5 inches. The Poodle-like coat, arched back, tasseled ears, and fleecy, pear-shaped head are identifying features of this one-of-a-kind breed. As the curvy contours indicate, there’s sighthound—Whippet, most likely—in their family tree. Bedlingtons roused to pursuit can gallop like the wind.
According to the site, the Bedlington Terrier comes in six colors, with no distinguishing marks.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of having a Bedlington Terrier.
Pros:
- The Bedlington is a playful family dog, great with kids
- Somewhere between small and medium – about 20 pounds of dog
- Fairly active indoors – if you walk and exercise your Bedlington frequently, it’s a great pet for an apartment
- They live a long time – 17 years or more in most cases
- Great if you suffer dog allergies – non-shedding
Before looking at the cons, what are the Bedlington Terriers bred to do? They’re not very large. They’re not common dogs. They’re an English dog, originally bred to hunt small game and vermin. Many terriers came into existence for just this reason.
Cons:
- Even though the breed doesn’t shed, the Bedlington does require frequent grooming – clipping, brushing and ear plucking
- Health issues seem to abound with this dog, including liver and kidney diseases – hoping someone familiar with the breed will tell me otherwise
- Like most terriers, the Bedlington is easily bored without mental and physical stimulation, becoming high strung and barking dogs if left to their own devices
- Runners – what I’m reading says this breed will take off and not return if not trained very early and consistently to come back when called
The Bedlington is not a breed for the faint of heart. I’d recommend knowing the breed well before committing. Be willing and able to commit to regular exercise and training. Have an enclosed back yard. Do NOT leave this dog outside for any real length of time. And be ready to be loved wholeheartedly.
Would I have this breed? No. It’s the right size, true. But too high energy for me. And too high maintenance. Maybe someone more familiar with the breed can convince me otherwise?
And which of the Jones Natural Chews would be the Bedlington Terrier’s favorite? Oooo! Given that it’s a small-ish dog, I’m going to say it would appreciate the Knee Cap, the Hoof, the beef Shank Bone and any of the Jones taffies and jerkies. Maybe especially the Rabbit Entree Jerky, since the breed chases down rabbits.
Now! If you haven’t already, go back to yesterday’s post and leave a comment! We’re going to announce the giveaway winner next Monday!
Until I write again …
Flea
