Bedlington Terrier
Border Terrier
Physical Traits
Personality & Temperament
Bedlington Terrier
"The Bedlington Terrier is a charming and loyal companion with a playful, frollicking spirit. Despite their gentle and affectionate demeanor, they retain a strong watchful nature and can be quite energetic, requiring both mental and physical stimulation to thrive. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them engaging pets, though their stubborn streak may occasionally challenge training efforts."
Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training and the need for regular grooming to maintain their coat, as well as ensuring they are securely contained due to their strong prey drive.
This breed is ideal for an active, patient owner or family who can provide consistent training, regular exercise, and enjoys a dog with a mix of affectionate and spirited energy.
Border Terrier
"The Border Terrier is a spirited, affectionate, and happy breed known for its plucky and independent nature. Highly energetic and intelligent, they are playful and adaptable but can also be stubborn, requiring consistent and patient training. They are generally good with children and open to strangers, though their strong prey drive may make them wary of small animals. Their watchful yet friendly demeanor makes them both a loyal companion and a capable working dog."
Owners may face challenges with the Border Terrier's strong prey drive and independent streak, which can make off-leash reliability difficult, as well as their seasonal shedding and need for regular grooming to maintain their wiry coat.
The Border Terrier is best suited for active individuals or families who can provide ample exercise, mental stimulation, and firm but patient training, preferably in a home with outdoor space or a securely fenced yard.
Purpose & Suitability
Coat & Appearance
Care & Health
Bedlington Terrier
Care
- •Bedlington Terrier grooming involves maintaining its soft and harsh, non-wiry, curly coat that grows quickly and requires clipping every two months using electric clippers and scissors
- •Brushing or combing the coat once or twice a week is essential for upkeep
- •Owners can either learn to groom their Bedlington themselves or take them to a professional groomer
- •Regular nail trimming is necessary to prevent pain and mobility issues from overly long nails
- •The breed virtually does not shed, making it a low-maintenance option for owners who dislike fur around the home.
- •Bedlington Terrier exercise needs: energetic but not hyperactive, enjoys fetch and long walks/runs but relaxes afterward
- •bred to chase small animals so needs a fenced yard and leash for walks
- •thrives with structured activities like agility, obedience, tracking, or earthdog competitions
- •moderate energy level suits active owners who balance playtime with downtime
- •playful yet content to cuddle post-exercise
- •requires consistent outdoor engagement to prevent boredom-driven behaviors
- •Bedlington Terrier training requires early socialization and puppy training to harness their intelligence and eagerness to please
- •They can be stubborn, so patience and consistency are key
- •Avoid harsh training methods or physical correction, as these can provoke resistance
- •Positive reinforcement—like praise and food rewards—works best for obedience
- •Their intelligent nature responds well to engaging, reward-based techniques
- •Harsh methods risk turning training into a battle of wills instead of cooperation.
- •Bedlington Terrier nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
- •monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, limit treats to avoid excess weight gain
- •consult vet about safe human foods for dogs and dietary concerns
- •ensure constant access to clean, fresh water
- •watch for signs of weight issues and seek vet advice if needed
Health
Bedlington Terriers are typically a robust and healthy breed, but potential owners should prioritize breeders who test for genetic conditions. Key health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s disease (a blood-clotting disorder), thrombopathia, and hereditary eye disorders. Regular ear checks and daily teeth brushing are essential maintenance tasks to ensure long-term well-being.
Recommended Tests:
Border Terrier
Care
- •Border Terrier grooming involves maintaining their double coat (hard outer, soft under) with seasonal care
- •Weekly brushing (or biweekly) suffices outside shedding season
- •Daily stripping (30+ mins) with hands/rake is needed during heavy shedding
- •Bathe only when necessary—towel/brush cleans most dirt effectively
- •Regular nail trims are essential for upkeep
- •Outer coat’s natural dirt resistance weakens after bathing.
- •Border Terriers require active daily exercise to stay healthy and happy
- •A brisk half-hour walk or play session with a ball or flying disc meets their needs
- •Must always be walked on a leash due to their instinct to chase small animals
- •Play sessions should occur in a fenced-in yard with underground fencing (at least 18 inches deep) to prevent digging and escaping
- •Enjoys activities like tracking, lure coursing, agility, earthdog, and canine sports such as flyball
- •Border Terrier training requires early socialization and puppy classes to manage their independent thinking
- •Borders were bred to work autonomously, so they may ignore commands like "stay" but return when ready
- •They enjoy pleasing their owners but dislike harsh punishment, which can break their spirit
- •Avoid expecting unfailing obedience—this breed thrives with patience and positive reinforcement
- •Off-leash time is risky due to their strong chase instinct, so secure fencing is essential.
- •Border Terrier nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
- •monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity
- •use treats for training but avoid overfeeding to prevent weight gain
- •consult vet for safe human foods and dietary concerns
- •ensure clean, fresh water is always available
Health
Border Terriers are typically robust, but responsible breeders prioritize health testing for conditions like hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, juvenile cataracts, seizures, heart issues, and allergies. Due to their sensitivity to heat, outdoor activity should be limited when temperatures exceed 85°F to prevent overheating.
Recommended Tests:
Trait Comparison
Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.
Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.
Common Questions
Answers to popular questions about Bedlington Terrier and Border Terrier.
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