Terrier Small size 8-10 kg

Bedlington Terrier

A lamb-like terrier that is calmer indoors than most, but the trimmed coat needs regular clipping and copper toxicosis runs in the breed.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Small
Size
8-10 kg, 38-43 cm tall
Moderate
Activity
Playful but settles well at home
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles some alone time with routine
Moderate
Trainability
Bright but with typical terrier independence
High
Coat care
Non-shedding coat needs clipping every 6-8 weeks
Good
Fit with kids
Affectionate with respectful children
Moderate
Other pets
Prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Copper toxicosis, patella

The Bedlington Terrier typically weighs 8-10 kg, stands 38-43 cm, and lives 11-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want terrier character with a softer, more biddable edge,
an apartment-friendly, low-shedding dog fits your life,
you will budget for professional grooming every 6-8 weeks or learn to clip,
you will buy only from a breeder who tests for copper toxicosis.

Do not consider this breed if…

grooming costs or DIY clipping are not in your plans,
rabbits, hamsters, or other small pets share the home - this was a vermin hunter,
you skip health paperwork; untested lines carry a serious liver disease,
you expect off-leash reliability - a fleeing squirrel outranks your recall.

A typical day with a Bedlington Terrier

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Brisk walk with plenty of sniffing
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Curls up on the sofa like a lamb-shaped cushion
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Short walk or garden patrol
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Play burst - fetch or a flat-out sprint; it is fast
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Cuddly lap time with its people
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps quietly through the night

Temperament and training

Affection High
Calm indoors High
Prey drive High
Terrier independence Moderate
Sociability with dogs Moderate
Vocality Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Buying from a breeder without copper toxicosis DNA test results · Trusting the lamb-like looks off leash around small animals - the hunter is still in there · Letting the coat grow out until it felts and needs a full shave

Family and environment

Kids Good
Affectionate and playful with respectful children.
Dogs Conditional
Fine when socialized, but answers rudeness like a terrier.
Cats Conditional
Can live with a known cat; small fleeing animals trigger the chase.
Apartment Good
Quiet indoors and conveniently sized for flat life.
House with a yard Suitable
Fence well; it digs and sprints after wildlife.
City Good
Adapts well to urban life on leash.
Countryside Good
Loves it, but wildlife means leash discipline.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Copper Toxicosis Breed-defining liver disease; buy only from DNA-tested lines
Luxating Patella Kneecap slips; may need surgery
Allergies & Skin Issues Ongoing management sometimes needed
Cataracts Can affect vision with age

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Bigger trimmed-coat terrier, more fire
Kerry Blue Terrier
A versatile, clever Irish terrier that stays devoted to its people - the trade-off is a high-maintenance coat needing regular clipping and terrier-typical dog aggression.
View profile →
Similar size, scrappier classic terrier temper
Lakeland Terrier
A bold, confident little terrier with plenty of spirit for active owners - the trade-off is a strong prey drive, a stubborn streak, and a coat that needs hand-stripping.
View profile →
Shares the racing ancestry, even calmer indoors
Whippet
A quiet apartment sprinter: 30 minutes of running, 23 hours of couch - just never trust it off leash near small animals.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bedlington Terrier cost in the US?
Puppies from health-tested breeders typically run $1,500-$2,500, and since the breed is uncommon, waitlists are normal. Over an 11-16 year life, add roughly $15,000-$25,000 for food, routine vet care and grooming every 6-8 weeks - the grooming bill alone can reach $600-$1,000 a year if you do not clip at home.
What is copper toxicosis and should I worry?
It is an inherited disease in which the liver cannot excrete copper, leading to progressive liver damage - and the Bedlington is the classic affected breed. A DNA test identifies affected and carrier dogs, so responsible breeders test all stock. Never buy a puppy without seeing those results; from tested-clear parents the risk is essentially eliminated.
Do Bedlington Terriers shed?
Barely - the crisp, linty coat holds dead hair instead of dropping it, which is why the breed suits many people who dislike dog hair. The trade-off is mandatory maintenance: brushing a couple of times a week and clipping every 6-8 weeks, forever. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, so meet one first if allergies matter.
Is a Bedlington calmer than other terriers?
Indoors, usually yes - it is a genuine couch companion between outings, softer and more affectionate than the terrier stereotype. Outdoors the ancestry shows: it was bred to kill vermin and race, so expect real speed, digging, and a prey drive that makes off-leash walks near roads a gamble.