The Grooming of the Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier has a distinctive coat unlike that of any other breed. To the touch, the coat should feel soft, but it should also contain a certain amount of wiry hair scattered throughout the coat, known as the guarding coat.

The guarding coat is typically darker in colour than the softer coat, both in blue and in liver/sandy dogs. This characteristic is an important part of the correct Bedlington coat, and the absence of guarding coat is considered a fault.

Today, the Bedlington Terrier is primarily a companion dog, it should live indoors as part of the family. Because it lacks an insulating undercoat, it can be quite sensitive to cold weather and is not suited to living outdoors.

Another important aspect of Bedlington ownership is coat care.

In general, the breed requires professional grooming approximately every four to six weeks. A knowledgeable groomer can maintain the traditional Bedlington trim, although many owners prefer to keep their dogs in a shorter, more practical clip. In that case, routine maintenance at home becomes much easier. At the same time, regular visits to a professional groomer are essential to keep the nails properly trimmed and to ensure other aspects of routine health care, such as removing excess hair from the ears.

Do not bath them too often, it can softens the coat more which can lead matted coat. Always use professional grooming products specially formulated for dogs.

We provide new owners with detailed guidance on proper coat care and grooming techniques, and through our network we are happy to help locate groomers who are familiar with the breeds needs.

Professional grooming is, of course, an ongoing expense that prospective owners should take into account. On the positive side, the Bedlington Terrier does not shed. You will not find dog hair covering your furniture, clothes, or floors—a quality many owners consider one of the breed’s greatest advantages.