Welcome to the Bedlington Club of Finland

The Bedlington Club of Finland was founded in 1988. The purpose of the club was to support the breeding of the Bedlington Terrier and act as an educational link between the owners. There were 136 members in the Finnish Bedlington Club at the end of 2009.

The Bedlington Club of Finland has organized lots of activities for its members. In the annual ‘Bedlington Dates’ the members can meet other owners and obtain useful information about the breed. Unofficial shows, grooming courses, show training, competitions, and lotteries are a part of the club's activities. The Bedlington Club of Finland also educates Bedlington owners about the breed and breeding.

The Bedlington Club of Finland publishes its own magazine ‘Bedlington –tiedote’. The magazine comes out four times a year. From its pages one can find useful information, writings about the every day life with the Bedlington Terrier by the owners, show results and photographs. A member of The Bedlington Club of Finland automatically joins the official breed club, the Finnish Terrierorganisation. The official breed club publishes its own magazine, the ‘Terrilife’, four times a year. One can read about all the terrier breeds from the ‘Terrilife’.

• Officials of the Bedlington Club of Finland

History of the Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is one of the oldest Terrier breeds. It is descended from the Terrier type dogs that lived in Northumberland, Coquet valley, and Rothbury in the 18th century. Miners especially appreciated them as ratters in the mines. There are many theories about the Bedlington Terrier's development. According to tradition the short legged variety of the dogs came to be called Dandie Dinmont Terriers, while the long legged variety became Bedlington Terriers. The first dog to be specifically named as a Bedlington Terrier was Young Piper, bred in 1825 by Joseph Ainsley, who lived in Bedlington.

The Bedlington Terrier was bred to be a versatile everyman's working dog. Therefore it was good for many different tasks: as a ratter; a fast and fearless hunter both on the moors and in the caves; a tenacious foe in badger-baiting, a cruel but one-time popular pastime; as a ferocious fighter in brutal dog fights. The Bedlington was said to be the gamest of the local Terriers, and it was not afraid of even the most fearsome opponent. Later on the demands changed and it was bred to be more sophisticated. Dog shows grew in popularity and England's first Bedlington Terrier club was founded in 1869. The oldest club today is The National Bedlington Terrier Club registered by English Kennel Club in 1898.

Bedlingtons in Finland

In Finnish dog shows Bedlingtons were first seen in 1907. The dog and bitches seen were the Scottish imports, Lord, Leddy, and Flora, respectively. Of Lord and Leddy's litter in 1908 at least one bitch was registered. During the First World War the population disappeared but reappeared in 1925 when Bedlingtons were once again seen in Finnish dog shows. This time, too, the dogs were imports from Britain: the dog Yorkshire Lad and the bitch Susie. Even though the dogs produced a litter, this population did not last either. A permanent Finnish Bedlington population was started in 1956 by an import from Denmark, Jalnas Furstinnan Bae-Bae imported by Margot Nystedt. Second import was Mrs. Rea Hannula's Blue-Light from Denmark. Other imports in the 1960's came from England, Sweden and Holland. In the light of Finnish Bedlingtons today the most significant work was done by Mrs. Rea Hannula and her kennel Peggen.

Registrations grew steadily and reached their peak in 1969 at 82 dogs. Registrations have averaged approximately 50 dogs/year in the 1970's, 20 dogs/year in the 80's, and 14 dogs/year in the 90's. The registrations have increased slightly. There were approximately 23 registrations/year between 2000-2005.

General appearance

At it's best the Bedlington Terrier is a pleasant, flexible, and muscular dog. The head is wedge-shaped, with a light, silken topknot on the forehead. When calm its expression is gentle and kind. Because of the natural arch of the back over the loin, the hind legs seem longer than the forelegs. Because of its build, the Bedlington can gallop at high speed, which can be seen in its streamlined appearance. The Bedlington's movements are very distinctive, rather mincing, light and springy in slower paces and have a slight roll when in full stride.

The Bedlington Terrier's coat is a very distinctive mixture of hard and soft hair standing well out from the skin having a tendency to curl, especially on the head and face. The dog's color can be blue, liver, sandy or blue and tan. In all the colors darker body pigmentation is to be encouraged. The Bedlington's coat needs to be cut once every two months and groomed weekly. It does not shed except while groomed.

The ideal height of the Bedlington Terrier is approximately 41 cm at the withers. In the Finnish Bedlington population, the height at the withers is 40-46 cm in dogs and 36-41 cm in bitches. The average weight of the Finnish dogs is 8-10 kg for dogs and 6-8 kg for bitches.

Character

The Bedlington Terrier is a good-natured, tender, self-respecting, and not timid or nervous. When relaxed it is gentle, but full of courage when provoked. Bedlingtons are good-natured when treated correctly. It admires its owners and is sensitive, but also stubborn and jealous. The Bedlington Terrier's sensitivity shows when its owner commands or reprimands it. Even a slight correction causes a suffering and ashamed look on the dog's face. This is a trait that is difficult while training the dog. The gentle demeanour and drowsy look should not be interpreted as shyness or a lack of temperament.

The Bedlington Terrier is intelligent, but slightly headstrong. It requires consistent and kind training. When trained correctly the Bedlington is an ideal, obedient and protective companion. In the modern Bedlington its history as a working dog can be seen: it enjoys an active life with its owners. Some Bedlington owners use their dogs in obedience and agility. It has usually retained its hunting instinct and in some areas of Great Britain, Bedlingtons are still used in rabbit hunting.