Bedlington Terrier

The exact origin of the Bedlington Terrier is not clear, though it is thought by some that breeds like the Dandie Dinmont and the Otterhound have contributed to its ancestry. Developed in the north of England, it is thought that during the late 1700’s, a strain of Terrier known as the Rothbury Terrier or Northumberland Fox Terrier was developed for game hunting. Joseph Ainsley, who was a resident of Bedlington, bred two Rothbury Terriers in 1825. The resulting puppies were named Bedlington Terriers. While it is thought that breeds like the Whippet were also occasionally crossed with the breed, there are no records available. With excellent agility, the Bedlington Terrier excelled at hunting game like rabbits, otters, foxes, badgers and rats, catching the eye of local squires, who chose to have their own Bedlington Terriers. In the late 19th century, the breed started to be shown and found living in wealthy homes. The breed’s popularity crossed all social boundaries and they began entering the show ring in the mid-1800’s. The National Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in England in 1877 and the first Bedlington Terrier to be registered by the American Kennel Club was Ananias in 1886.