Most important facts
- Group
- Terrier
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 8–10 kg
- Lifespan
- 12–14 years
- Coat
- Curly, wiry-soft
- Energy
- Moderate
- Height
- 38–43 cm
- Colours
- Blue, liver or sandy
- Shedding
- Light
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£21/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slicker brush and grooming comb, secure garden fencing or long-line lead, interactive puzzle feeders
Typical dry food, adult
About the Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier takes its name from a Northumberland mining town, where pitmen and poachers bred a fast, game terrier for rats, badgers and the occasional moonlit hare. Whippet blood is generally credited with the speed and the arched back. The lamb-like look fooled nobody at the time, and it has been fooling first-time admirers ever since.
Behind the delicate looks sits a genuine working terrier, alert, quick and game, with real courage from its hunting past. At home it is typically gentle and deeply loyal, milder-mannered than many terriers, though the prey drive around small animals is fully intact.
Bedlingtons can be reserved with strangers and bond very closely with their household, which sometimes shows as separation anxiety when left too often. They are clever and keen to please, so short, engaging sessions with food rewards from the daily ration work far better than repetitive drilling.
Common health conditions
Things Bedlington Terrier owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Copper toxicosis
An inherited liver disorder where copper builds up instead of being excreted. Breeders DNA-test for it, and affected dogs need a vet-prescribed, copper-restricted diet for life.
Patellar luxation
The kneecap slips from its groove, causing a skip in the hind leg. Keeping a Bedlington lean reduces the strain on the joint.
Retinal dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Inherited eye conditions that can affect sight over time. Breeding dogs should have annual eye screening, and any change in vision belongs with a vet.
Distichiasis
Extra eyelashes that rub the eye and cause watering. Usually spotted during grooming and easily managed by a vet.
Feeding a Bedlington Terrier
A compact frame means extra weight shows quickly and loads the joints, so a complete diet in measured portions suits the breed far better than grazing. Treats used in training come out of the daily allowance, never on top, and two meals a day is enough for most adults.
The breed carries a well-known hereditary risk of copper toxicosis, so a diagnosed or carrier dog eats only what the vet prescribes. That usually means a specially formulated low-copper diet, with liver and offal off the menu. Even unaffected Bedlingtons do best on a food without excessive copper, which is worth checking when choosing.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Bedlington Terrier needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
8–10 kg
Est. daily calories
400–630 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Bedlington Terriers eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£0.68
- Per month
- ~£21
- Per year
- ~£247
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Bedlington Terrier
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Bedlington Terrier by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs6/10
- Appetite6/10
- Trainability7/10
- Good with children6/10
- Shedding1/10
- Tolerates being alone4/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- A low-shedding coat that suits allergy-conscious homes
- Gentle and loyal, calmer indoors than many terriers
- Alert, playful and an excellent little watchdog
Worth knowing
- Needs clipping every six to eight weeks
- A strong prey drive demands secure gardens and careful recall
- The hereditary liver condition makes provenance matter
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much exercise does a Bedlington Terrier need?
Around 45 to 60 minutes a day across walks and secure off-lead time, plus some faster games, because a Bedlington in full flight is quicker than it has any right to look. Solid recall comes before freedom anywhere near livestock or small pets.
Are Bedlington Terriers hypoallergenic?
No dog truly is, but the curly coat sheds very little and spreads less hair and dander than most breeds, which is why it suits many allergy-sensitive households. Regular grooming and clipping keep it that way.
What should I feed a Bedlington Terrier given the risk of copper toxicosis?
A confirmed or carrier dog eats only the low-copper diet a vet prescribes, with copper-rich foods like liver and offal avoided entirely. For unaffected dogs, a good complete food without excessive copper, fed to a lean waistline, does the job. The Food Finder can narrow the options.
How much should I feed my Bedlington Terrier to keep them a healthy weight?
Start from the pack guide, then adjust to their waistline, with ribs easy to feel under a thin covering. Weighing the food and counting the treats beats judging by eye, because this breed gains quietly.