If you’re the kind of person who likes things that look out of the ordinary, then it’s no surprise you’ve fallen in love with the Bedlington Terrier.
The question is, how much can you expect one of these beauties to set you back financially?
The Bedlington Terrier average prices is around $1,500.
This is an average price for a dog, especially for a purebred Bedlington Terrier price.
However, you can save a few dollars on the price of a Bedlington Terrier by adopting or rescuing one.
Adoptions from your local shelter are in the neighborhood of $150, while rescues are closer to $500.
You should, however, familiarize yourself a bit with this breed’s temperament and cost of ownership first before you ultimately decide what to do.
The Bedlington Terrier, Up Close
The Bedlington Terrier originated in Northumberland, England, where poachers initially used them as hunters of vermin.
They also participated quite frequently in racing until the Whippet came on the scene as the quintessential racing dog.
In fact, experts believe the Bedlington has some relation to the Whippet based on the similarities in the shapes of their backs.
This is good to know because it tells you two things: a) he’s a hunter at heart, and b) he has an athleticism to him, i.e. a high energy drive.
Bedlington Terrier Temperament and Personality
Get to know the Bedlington Terrier’s personality a bit before you decide to purchase one of these dogs.
Here are a few of the more pertinent things you need to know.
He’s Calm
Despite his athletic tendencies, the Bedlington is actually a rather calm dog – at least while indoors.
Let him loose in the yard, though, and hoo, boy – you’ll see what this dog can do!
Not only is he fast on land, but he’s also pretty impressive in the water, too!
Some Bedlingtons are so playful, though, that it turns into them becoming high-strung.
You may be able to help with that, but it may just become who that dog is as an individual.
He’s Affectionate
You might not think so from looking at him, but the Bedlington is a rather affectionate dog.
The AKC recommends the Bedlington for families with children because these dogs are gentle with all forms of people.
Other dogs, however, he can take issue with (more on that below).
He’s Not the Best with Other Dogs
If you are considering bringing a Bedlington into your home, and you already have another dog, you must take extreme caution.
If a Bedlington senses the other dog challenging him, he won’t hesitate to put up a fight.
And those who have seen these fights say the Bedlington is truly terrifying to watch in one of these situations.
If you only own the one dog, you may not know for sure whether your dog has a dominant personality or not.
So, the best way to find out is to introduce him to the Bedlington in a neutral environment. Many people choose a public parking lot for this kind of initial meeting.
If they get along – great! If not, you must prepare to extract your dog from the situation immediately.
He’s Smart
Generally, the common rule for hunting dogs is that they have a keen sense of intelligence.
After all, they must have the smarts if they’re ever going to become good hunters.
This can, however, pose a nightmare when it’s time to train him, and he exercises his “independence” with you.
He’s an Interesting Hunter
Here’s an interesting tidbit about the Bedlington and hunting: he will only give chase if he’s outside with his prey.
If he sees, say, a mouse in your house, he won’t chase it because he’s inside.
When he does give chase, though, remember, his ancestors were racing dogs, so when he chases after something, he is incredibly fast.
Therefore, it is crucial, more than with other breeds, that you keep him on a leash while walking him or at the dog park.
If he takes off, it’s very likely that you won’t be able to get him back, and that he may suffer an injury or become lost.
And, it probably goes without saying: if you’re going to get a Bedlington, make sure you have a secure fence around your yard.
Bedlington Terrier Size
A healthy weight for the average Bedlington is between 17 and 23 lbs.
As for height, they grow to a maximum of 15 to 18 inches tall.
This makes the Bedlington an odd combination of a small, bordering on mid-size dog.
Is this a good size for you? If not, then it may be time for you to look at different breeds who may make for a closer match to what you’re looking for.
Bedlington Terrier Price – How Much Do Bedlington Terriers Cost?
As mentioned earlier, the Bedlington Terrier dog price hovers around $1,500.
You can save hundreds, perhaps even thousands of dollars by opting to adopt or rescue a Bedlington instead.
Demand
The Bedlington Terrier isn’t high on the list of what people tend to look for when they’re shopping for a dog.
The AKC puts him at 141 of the possible 195 recognized dog breeds out there.
This actually helps the Bedlington Terrier puppy price along, in comparison to other dog breeds that are “rare” which often cost more than the Bedlington does.
So, while the Bedlington may not qualify for the most popular dog at the show, you’re still getting a great dog for your money’s worth.
Bedlington Terrier Rescue and Adoption
Adopting or rescuing a Bedlington is rewarding morally and financially.
If you’re interested in using a rescue group, the page for the Bedlington Terrier Rescue can provide more information on how to adopt one of their beautiful dogs.
Costs for a rescue typically qualify as a donation, which goes toward helping more dogs within the same breed.
When you adopt from your local shelter, you are essentially paying to have the dog neutered and for him to get his shots.
It’s more of a crapshoot with the shelter, though, because you never know what breeds of dogs they’ll have on any given day.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Bedlington Terrier Cost of Ownership
The cost of ownership is definitely something to consider when you’re considering bringing home a dog.
After all, can you guarantee you can pay for all of these things for the entirety of the dog’s lifespan?
In the Bedlington’s case, that’s 12 to 14 years of feeding, vet care, and grooming, amongst other things.
Cost of Food
Food shouldn’t cost you too much with a Bedlington. One $35 bag a month should do it.
Check with your vet on the right brand(s) and amount to feed your Bedlington.
Good health often comes down to the food we put in our bodies – and the same holds true for our dogs.
Health Care Expenses
Bedlington owners say you should expect to spend around $4,000 extra on this dog in health care costs.
That’s because, while there aren’t a lot of health problems that tend to affect this breed, the ones that do can cost a pretty penny to treat.
The maladies the Bedlington has a higher vulnerability to include:
- Copper Storage Hepatopathy – a liver condition
- Distichiasis
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
- Retinal Dysplasia
Of course, this does not guarantee that you are certain to bring home a sick dog.
It’s simply a warning that you’ll need to sock away some extra cash in the event your Bedlington comes down with one of these illnesses later.
You know the phrase: prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: Our Health is #1 Priority. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Help your friend make it to 14 yrs+ without pain and suffering.
Training Programs
Some dogs you can just train yourself, right in your own backyard.
And then there are the “other” dogs – dogs who think they’re smarter than you and can live by their own rules.
Guess which one the Bedlington is?
Because he’s so smart, the Bedlington may prove a pain in the butt to train.
If so, then you may need to pay for a professional trainer to set him straight.
You can also opt for obedience school, where he learns alongside other dogs in “class.”
However, given the Bedlington’s propensity to fight with other dogs, you’re probably better off getting him one-on-one lessons.
Of course, these lessons are more expensive than group classes, so you’ll need to do some research to find a trainer in your area who’s within your budget.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Grooming Costs
When it comes to the Bedlington Terrier, grooming is the fairly easy part.
You don’t really have to brush him much.
What you do have to do instead, though, is clip his coat every two months or so.
This is where things get dicey. If you clip him wrong, then his coat will grow back wrong for life.
Therefore, if you feel any discomfort about doing it yourself, then you’ll need to pay a professional groomer to help.
Prices vary, depending on your location and the groomer you choose. So, make sure you shop around before settling on the first groomer in your area.
You might also want to opt for a mobile groomer who comes right to your house. Then, you don’t even have to leave, and you can have your dog fully taken care of.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
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