 Barked: Wed Aug 17, '11 12:05pm PST |
 | |  | | Bedlingtons! YAY! A favored breed. Although of course an advisement I always give is they don't look like "that" naturally. I would have to defer to Toto...the Bedlingtons I have long known are with those in the dog fancy. But the best pro groomers...like the ones who groom show dogs....say they are the hardest breed to do, and I am not sure what a pet cut on one would be....and remain a little dubious that a PetSmart trained groomer could scissor a Bedlington correctly.
Whatever, Bedlingtons are a very unique terrier and a very undersung breed in dogdom. HIGHLY recommended, but "not for everyone." I have known plenty that can get along with other dogs, they do not have the piss-n-fire histrionics of some, but this is a very willful breed and if challenged they do not back down. These dogs WERE fought in their history and have been bred down from that, but people liked the willfulness, so that remained. Bedlingtons also have more prey drive than some other terriers do. That can be pretty intense.
With all that said, Bedlingtons form a much closer, bonded attachment to their favored person than is terrier typical. They are less independent, and that does make them perhaps not more trainable than the average terrier, but ONCE trained, more reliable. They also are far more versatile...think Airedale. They can hunt (yes!, like with a retrieve and everything, lol!), lure course, herd, even guard. Bedlingtons are extremely fast, have an exceptional nose, a nice work ethic. They are a handful, but a faily scope-y dog.
Unlike many other terriers, they can be quite appropriately be called cheerful and clownish. Not as "pent up"  They often are totally into a good cuddle, and thrive best with having a close bond with a person. They are what I like to call a "master's dog"...really want to be belonged to someone. They are often very reasonable with their energy in the home. Rather than a pocket rocket always ready to go-go-GO!, Bedlingtons do fine lolling on the couch. They can turn on a dime, though, if a mouse scurries by. Any challenge to the Bedlington will bring out that tougher side.
These are sensitive dogs....far moreso than most terriers. They, very curious for a terrier, due have a propensity towards SA and do not like being left behind. They have some penchant for being jealous. Skin problems, eye and liver all occur within the breed. Not unhealthy overall, but there are some serious conditions in this breed, so you'd want one responsibly bred. |  |  | |  |
|
| my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals | [notify] |
29
According to some people I’ve found with working Bedlingtons (primarily in the UK, so nowhere near me *sigh*), they are like most other terriers. Some do say they are more mellow, some say they still have that usual ‘tude. I enjoy the terrier personality, though.
