How to Groom a Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington Terriers have a graceful appearance, are well balanced, alert and agile. Their small, bright, almond-shaped eyes give them a gentle and friendly appearance and they are unexpectedly brave in the face of danger and full of energy. In the past, people trained Bedlington Terriers to be vermin hunters, fighters and retrievers. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

1. Trim away stained hair around the eyes very carefully before bathing. Make sure to hold the head gently but firmly for maximum control of the dog's movement.

2. Shampoo with a gentle baby shampoo. Shampoos with conditioners and/or cream rinses don't improve the coat of the Bedlington Terrier.

3. Use a force dryer to dry after bathing. The hair on the Bedlington Terrier dries so quickly with a force dryer that it's not necessary to towel them off very much. If some areas dry before you reach them with the dryer, use a spray bottle to re-wet the hair.

4. Seek the help of a professional groomer for styling, unless you are particularly experienced. The coat of the Bedlington Terrier demands a very specific regimen which should not be attempted blindly or by beginners.

Tips & Warnings

• The Bedlington Terrier has a very unique mixture of hard and soft hair. When in show, breeders must trim the hair on the body to no longer than 1 inch. The hair on the legs is allowed to be slightly longer. It should feel "crisp but not wiry" to the judges.

• The preferred height for a Bedlington Terrier is 16 1/2 inches for dogs and 15 1/2 inches for bitches.

• Bedlington Terriers are a good breed for people with allergies.

• A generally mild temperament belies the ability to become incredibly fierce if put in an environment with an aggressive dog.