The Bedlington Terrier is an alert, energetic dog who loves to play, but is best known for his mild and gentle side. Originally from England, this dog was bred to hunt, and is very lithe, strong, graceful and built for speed. His unique appearance and assertive demeanor are two reasons why the Bedlington is described as having "the head of a lamb," and "the heart of a lion."

Their coat is distinctive in appearance and requires daily five-minute groomings to keep its unique shape and healthy condition. It's a very distinctive mixture of hard and soft hair standing well out from the skin, crisp to the touch but not wiry, having a tendency to curl, especially on the head and face. Coat colors can be blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. In the bi-colors, the tan markings are found on the legs, chest, under the tail, inside the hindquarters and over each eye. The topknots of all adults should be lighter than the body color.

A graceful dog, with no signs of coarseness, the Bedlington's normal expression is mild and gentle. Known for endurance, the Bedlington can also gallop at great speed. Their body is muscular and noticably flexible, with their back having a good natural arch over the loin, creating a definite tuck-up of the underline. The Bedlington's body is slightly greater in length than height. The hind legs are longer than the forelegs.

The Bedlington's gait is unique in its lightness of movement, springy in the slower paces. The lips of a Bedlington are black in the blue and blue and tans, and brown in all other solid and bi-colors. Their eyes are almond-shaped, small, bright and well sunk with no tendency to tear or water, set fairly high on their head. The eye rims are black in the blue and blue and tans, and brown in all other solid and bi-colors.

Their ears are triangular in shape, with fine hair forming a small silky tassel at the tip. The ear leather itself, is thin and velvety in texture. The Bedlington carries his head high, on the long, tapering neck. There should be no throatiness.

To learn more about this unique dog, please visit the
Bedlington Terrier Club of America.