Bedlington Terrier Breed Magazine - Showsight

Bedlington Terrier Breed Magazine features information, expert articles, and stunning photos from AKC judges, breeders, and owners.

TERRIER BEDLINGTON

Let’s Talk Breed Education!

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Official Standard of the Bedlington Terrier General Appearance: A graceful, lithe, well-balanced dog with no sign of coarseness, weakness or shelliness. In repose the expression is mild and gentle, not shy or nervous. Aroused, the dog is particularly alert and full of immense energy and courage. Noteworthy for endurance, Bedlingtons also gallop at great speed, as their body outline clearly shows. Head : Narrow, but deep and rounded. Shorter in skull and longer in jaw. Covered with a profuse topknot which is lighter than the color of the body, highest at the crown, and tapering gradually to just back of the nose. There must be no stop and the unbroken line from crown to nose end reveals a slender head without cheekiness or snipiness. Lips are black in the blue and blue and tans and brown in all other solid and bi-colors. Eyes - Almond-shaped, small, bright and well sunk with no tendency to tear or water. Set is oblique and fairly high on the head. Blues have dark eyes; blues and tans, less dark with amber lights; sandies, sandies and tans, light hazel; livers, livers and tans, slightly darker. Eye rims are black in the blue and blue and tans, and brown in all other solid and bi-colors. Ears - Triangular with rounded tips. Set on low and hanging flat to the cheek in front with a slight projection at the base. Point of greatest width approximately 3 inches. Ear tips reach the corners of the mouth. Thin and velvety in texture, covered with fine hair forming a small silky tassel at the tip. Nose - Nostrils large and well defined. Blues and blues and tans have black noses. Livers, livers and tans, sandies, sandies and tans have brown noses. Jaws - Long and tapering. Strong muzzle well filled up with bone beneath the eye. Close-fitting lips, no flews. Teeth - Large, strong and white. Level or scissors bite . Lower canines clasp the outer surface of the upper gum just in front of the upper canines. Upper premolars and molars lie outside those of the lower jaw. Neck and Shoulders : Long, tapering neck with no throatiness, deep at the base and rising well up from the shoulders which are flat and sloping with no excessive musculature. The head is carried high. Body : Muscular and markedly flexible. Chest deep. Flat-ribbed and deep through the brisket, which reaches to the elbows. Back has a good natural arch over the loin, creating a definite tuck- up of the underline. Body slightly greater in length than height. Well-muscled quarters are also fine and graceful. Legs and Feet: Lithe and muscular. The hind legs are longer than the forelegs, which are straight and wider apart at the chest than at the feet. Slight bend to pasterns which are long and sloping without weakness. Stifles well angulated. Hocks strong and well let down, turning neither in nor out. Long hare feet with thick, well-closed-up, smooth pads. Dewclaws should be removed. Coat : A very distinctive mixture of hard and soft hair standing well out from the skin. Crisp to the touch but not wiry, having a tendency to curl, especially on the head and face. When in show trim must not exceed 1 inch on body; hair on legs is slightly longer. Tail : Set low, scimitar-shaped, thick at the root and tapering to a point which reaches the hock. Not carried over the back or tight to the underbody.

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Color : Blue, sandy, liver, blue and tan, sandy and tan, liver and tan. In bi-colors the tan markings are found on the legs, chest, under the tail, inside the hindquarters and over each eye. The topknots of all adults should be lighter than the body color. Patches of darker hair from an injury are not objectionable, as these are only temporary. Darker body pigmentation of all colors is to be encouraged. Height : The preferred Bedlington Terrier dog measures 16½ inches at the withers, the bitch 15½ inches. Under 16 inches or over 17½ inches for dogs and under 15 inches or over 16½ inches for bitches are serious faults. Only where comparative superiority of a specimen outside these ranges clearly justifies it, should greater latitude be taken. Weight : To be proportionate to height within the range of 17 to 23 pounds. Gait : Unique lightness of movement. Springy in the slower paces, not stilted or hackneyed. Must not cross, weave or paddle.

Approved September 12, 1967

THE Vocation bedlington terrier's THE KEY TO PRESERVING TYPE

BY RICHARD L. REYNOLDS

M ost current judges’ education seminars begin with the words “The [trivet hound] was originally bred for…” thus implying that the breed is no longer used for the pur- pose for which it was developed. In many instances, this is not the case at all and there are numerous breeds where dogs are hard at work today in the vocation of their ances- tors. It’s not about versatility… all dogs are wonderfully versatile. It’s about preserving true breed type through suc- cess in the work for which the breed was intended. The tru- ly passionate (and possibly deranged) conformation judge will seek out opportunities to work with, or at least observe working examples of, the breed. As good as our various performance tests are, they cannot simulate the challenges or requirements of actual work. THEN AND NOW A WORKING TERRIER In days gone by, many breed standards contained a “Scale of Points” which somewhat dictated the relative importance of various structural attributes. This has disap- peared from most breed standards, leaving the breeder or judge to set his or her own structural (and temperamental) priorities. Time spent studying a breed at real work will necessarily alter your conformation priorities. Getting some working experience, even briefly, draws your atten- tion to the qualities needed to get the job done. You’ll look at the breed differently if you truly understand what it needs in its toolbox to get the job done.

While many breeds have evolved into “show” and “working” types, the Bedlington remains fairly true to type across its various lines of work. It’s fairly easy to see good conformation in dogs that have been bred for work for generations. By the same token, dogs bred for the show ring are successful in field work around the globe. (P. Saunderson photo)

Although not defined in the standards, the typical “Vee” shaped front, narrow at the feet, enables the Bedlington to work efficiently and maintain its balance in difficult country. The FCI standard states, “Forelegs straight, wider apart at chest than at feet.” (P. Saunderson photo)

The fields and fells hunted by the Bedlington Terrier are a mixture of craggy rock-bound dens and open fields, demanding a terrier with the skills of a sighthound and the ability and determination of a hole dog. (P. Saunderson photo)

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THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER’S VOCATION: THE KEY TO PRESERVING TYPE

chest that enables the Beddy to get into and out of the small dens of the fox and groundhog. A bigger dog is better-suited as a courser or a lurcher. The very wise folk who developed the breed left you an out: “Only where comparative superiority of a speci- men outside these ranges clearly justifies it, should greater latitude be taken.” Big dog/small dog, both have their uses. Relative size should never be the major factor in your decisions. FLEXIBILITY & SPEED Along with its overall size, the Bedlington uses lateral flexibility to navigate tight quarters both above and below ground. “Muscular and mark- edly flexible,” reads the standard. Properly bred, the dog can be neatly folded in half. Often, this is the difference between injury or death and escape from a dangerous situation. Bending the dog is to confirm its flexibility and is standard practice at working terrier shows, but we don’t do it in the conformation ring. Sometimes you can see an indication when it makes its turn on the down and back or when it licks its… well, you know. Not easy to test, but still very important. The brown hare and its primary predator, the red fox, can achieve speeds up to 48 miles per hour. Both are potential quarry for the Beddy (neither is often hunted with Pugs). For their part, Beddys can achieve speeds upward of 35 miles per hour, BUT, they can sustain that speed for up to three miles. The ability to reach that speed and the endurance to maintain it are the product of a “good natural arch over the loin” and “stifles well angulated.” The arch is moderate; the angulation is not. The arch is nowhere near as pronounced as today’s excellent groomers would like to have you believe. It doesn’t need to be. To be fair, most of today’s dogs actually have a proper degree of arch, which is accentuated by the grooming process. You might want to take a few seconds and peer Lateral flexibility in the Bedlington is an absolute requirement for its own safety and its ability to work in rocky crags and crevices which cannot be dug. A smaller, highly flexible dog is desirable for this type of work. Under the current system of judging, it is almost impossible to determine lateral flexibility in the show ring. (R. Reynolds photo)

“Flat ribbed and deep through the brisket” enables the Bedlington to work efficiently in any environment that requires access and extrication from narrow or restricted spaces. (B. Reyna photo)

A singular example of this is the Bedlington Terrier. To this day, the “Beddy” is used for hunting in its native UK, the US, and Serbia, to name a few coun- tries. The social media sites for actual working Bedlington have more than 2,000 subscribers, more, in fact, than the conformation sites. It’s a truly useful dog for varied quarry around the globe. But the Beddy’s roots are firmly planted in Nor- thumberland where they were developed and where they are often worked today for sport and, in some cases, as a source of income for their owners. If your cal- endar is too full to get to Northumberland (or even New Jersey where we offer to take judges hunting) I’m hopeful that this article will show you a side of today’s Bedlington Terrier that will assist you in setting your own structural priorities for the breed. The Bedlington was specifically designed to hunt the fields and fells of Eng- land, and those hills have changed little in the 300-plus years since the breed first emerged. The country is steep, sometimes precipitous and largely open. Today as then, the quarry is largely rabbit (by British law), but in other countries, red and gray fox, groundhog, raccoon, badger (which is legal on the continent), raccoon dog, and wild boar are the current quarry. Even in Britain, fox may be bolted to the gun with the aid of a terrier under certain circumstances. A SOLO HUNTING TERRIER To understand the Bedlington, one has to understand that the breed is first, foremost, and universally a solo hunting Terrier. It was not developed by Dukes in scarlet on horseback, but rather by laborers, tradesmen, and miners for whom the dog was (and is) an additional source of income. Not all hunting with Beddys was (or… ahem… is) totally within the law. To call the breed a poacher’s dog would be totally disrespectful, but you do need to be aware of some of the breed’s character- istics that make it equally well-qualified for “dancing in the dark” or winning in the show ring. A barking dog is not an attribute for illegal hunting. Bedlingtons are quiet and dignified… until things get real. They tend to attack without warning, and the strength and ferocity of their grip is legendary. Once attached, they will not release their quarry, which makes them problematic for some types of hunting such as rats, wild boar or the neighbor’s cat. For this reason they are NEVER sparred. Not ever. (Legend has it, though, that after the hunt there were dog fights behind the local pub wherein significant funds changed hands. Just another reason for the incredible bite.) Most early Bedlington hunters could only afford to keep a single dog. The breed standard recognizes that constraint by setting a preferred size range, (although it doesn’t specify by whom it is preferred). For a dog to bolt fox from dens in the unfor- giving rock of the fells (or the stony fields of New England, for that matter) one wants a smaller dog, 16 inches or less, with the flat-ribbed, deep and compressible

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“Lower canines clasp the outer surface of the upper gum just in front of the upper canines. Upper premolars and molars lie outside those of the lower jaw.” The photo on the left shows lower canine teeth that do not clear the upper palate. The Bedlington’s work requires properly placed lower canine teeth. Quite often the incorrect placement is a result of a weak underjaw.

through that perfect groom to see how much arch is there. Too much of a good thing will have an adverse effect on endurance and spoil the efficiency of the lever action. A roached back and extreme rear angulation will hinder both drive at the trot and the ability to collect its rear at the gallop, actually slowing the dog down. The AKC and FCI standards both make reference to a “ definite tuck up of the underline.” One hopes that the tuck up is not overly pronounced, commensurate with the natural arch, and is the result of superb conditioning rather than the groomer’s artistry. FEET AND TEETH; TOOLS OF THE WORKING TERRIER Many hunting breeds require a tight, round, compact foot. That doesn’t serve the Beddy’s vocation. Instead, we have “Long hare feet with thick, well-closed-up, smooth pads.” Climb and grip rocks, dig to China, sure footing at the gallop. Those long feet are most important almost anywhere the Bedlington hunts. Many Terriers are brought up to the hole and put in to do their work. Not so of the Bedlington who must often cover ground to locate the quarry, then pursue and dispatch it. We’ve all heard that “Head of Lamb—Heart of Lion” axiom. What you haven’t heard is “The Bite of a Nile Crocodile.” While most hunting dogs find and work their quarry to be dispatched by the gun of the hunter, Beddys, sighthounds (and formerly fox- hounds) are often required to bring down their prey. This requires some pretty formidable dentition together with the habit of never (ever) loosening their grip. The key to that punishing bite is “Lower canines clasp the outer surface of the upper gum just in front of the upper canines. Upper premolars and molars lie outside those of the low- er jaw.” Any other configuration will have serious consequences to the health of the dog. (Fun fact for conformation judges: Quickly checking placement of the lower canines assures you that there is not a weak underjaw.) This just might be the single most important attribute of the breed. Now if you’re wondering about the tassels on the ears, the exag- gerated topknot or the clean-shaven tail, I can only tell you that they’re not much use in hunting. Most Bedlingtons “in work” don’t have these attributes and don’t seem to miss them at all. Still, if you look carefully at the field-bred Bedlingtons, you can see that the conformation standard is as much in evidence in the working hunter as it is in the show champion. Since you, as a judge, have the privilege of setting your own structural priorities, it’s my hope you will consider the most important tools of the Bedlington’s job right up there at the top. Of course, it’s a dog show, but the best-groomed exhibit may not be the best equipped to do its job. Many of today’s hardest working Bedlingtons are bred from the still-preserved working/ conformation lines that made the breed a success. Thanks for help- ing us preserve the real dog!

This is Peter Saunderson. He’s the photographer of some of my illustrations, but more importantly is a living working terrierman in the fields and fells around Bedlington. Like the dog itself, he’s the real thing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Richard Reynolds, whom the BBC has dubbed “The Ratcatcher,” can usually be found in the company of dogs, whether working Terriers on rats in the alleys of Manhattan or judging conformation shows around the world. He’s been a Master of Foxhounds, professional handler, Earthdog judge (AKC and AWTA) and a

conformation judge. He breeds (and occasionally shows) the dogs he needs for his hunting team, which currently includes Dachshunds, Bedlingtons, and Jagdterriers. His articles and stories have graced the pages of books, magazines, and texts worldwide. He’s always looking for the subject of the next article, so let him know your ideas at analyst@ix.netcom.com.

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A LOW ENTRY BREED Bedlington Terrier

BY LUCY HEYMAN

I t has been most disturbing to observe the steady decline of the population of our Bedlington Terriers over the past two decades. The American Kennel Club developed a characterization of this, labelling low-ranked breeds as Low Entry Breeds. Our Bedlingtons currently rank at 133 among all AKC recognized breeds, but I was amazed to see that our breed actually ranked ahead of nine other Terrier breeds, most notably Kerry Blue Terriers, which surprised me. In the 1970s and '80s, Bedlington breeders had to cope with a lethal inherited liver disease that affected over half of our dogs. The '90s brought relief with the development of a molecular genetics diagnostic tool that detects the presence of copper toxicosis, with the subsequent years bringing further perfection to the test. It would be logical to think that the dramatic minimization of the incidence of copper toxicosis would lead to a robust boom in population. Unfortunately, this was not the case and a small handful of our breeders continue to produce affected individuals, rationalizing that testing diminishes population and the gene pool. We must stand back and examine the possible reasons for the decline. In gener- al, animal rights organizations have glamorized adopting mixed breed strays from shelters, vilifying purebreds with misinformation; with national media doing the same. As our population has become denser, homeowners associations and legisla- tion passed by uninformed lawmakers have become far more restrictive, making it difficult for hobby breeders to raise puppies and keep dogs for exhibition. The cul- ture of breeding did not accommodate change rapidly enough. Decades ago, it was fashionable to state “puppies only occasionally” on breeders' calling cards. How could they hope to establish a strong, dominant bloodline that way? High volume breeders, no matter how ethical and conscientious, were shamed and branded as puppy mills. All of this contributes to the diminishment of population. More recently, a spin was added to the decline in our breed population, ranging from the ill-advised to the clearly unethical. Requiring owners to pledge spay and neuter agreements for quality puppies is a form of control; apparently emanating from a lack of trust, and in light of our low entry status is not sound judgement. Recent scientific studies have demonstrated that early sterilization, in particular, does not have the health benefits that veterinarians and owners once thought it did.

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If breeders don't have a high comfort level with a puppy client, they should move on and find someone who better fits their criteria, and leave it up to the owner as to whether or not to sterilize the dog. The use of Limited Registration offered by the Ameri- can Kennel Club has been abused and is being used as a tool for financial gain. The intention of this option was to enable breeders to eliminate dogs with inherited defects and diseases from the gene pool. There are examples in our breed of instances of high-quality dogs that were being held for bounty with Limited Registrations. Experienced breeders interceded on behalf of these clients, and the dogs became worthy exhibits and studs. How many worthy dogs have been eliminated from the gene pool this way? The hard work, dedication, and expense of breeding certainly is a limiting factor in itself. Requiring steriliza- tion and using Limited Registration in an unethical way has been a big factor in the decline of our numbers. These measures in no way guarantee that a dog won't end up in careless hands. Other registries exist and all that an uneth- ical person would need is the AKC number of the sire and dam and they are in business, even if the AKC registration is limited or withheld pending proof of sterilization. If we wish to halt the population decline of the Bedlington Ter- rier, we need to respect the parameters of AKC registration for the sake of our declining breed. “If breeders don’t have a high comfort level with a puppy client, they should move on and find

Ch. Capstone Clearly Carillon

someone who better fits their

Ch. Bluenote Life's A Beach

criteria, and leave it up to the owner as to whether or not to sterilize the dog.”

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Lucy Heyman has been active in canine sports since 1979 when she finished the Championship title on her first Bedlington Terrier at the National Specialty, held at the Montgomery County Kennel Club. The dog was never used in the

MARK YOUR CALENDAR! ALL ELIGIBLE BREEDS WELCOME MONTGOMERY WEEKEND!

breeding program, but the puppy bitch, who was Reserve at Devon, was to be the foundation of her Carillon breeding program. To date, Ch. Claremont Lana has nearly 700 Champion descendants and many individuals that excel in performance events. Lucy joined the parent club in 1979 and is now a life member, being awarded the prestigious Constance M. Willemson Breed Betterment Award in 2007. Lucy was also active in all-breed clubs, being a founding Board Member and Corresponding Sec- retary of the Tyler Texas Kennel Club in 1981. She is still a member. Lucy was also a member of the now disbanded Palm Valley Kennel Club, and the Corpus Christi Kennel Club, and she is currently a member of the Houston Kennel Club. In addition to the parent club, Lucy is also a member of the U.S. Lakeland Terrier Club and the American Fox Ter- rier Club. She serves as a Director of the Houston All Terrier Club, newly licensed to hold AKC events. Lucy has served six terms as Corresponding Secre- tary of the Bedlington Terrier Club of America, Inc., as well as its Awards Chairman, and she has been rescuing since 1988. Lucy is Chairman of the Bed- lington Terrier Wellness and Rescue Association, a 501(c)3 charity, and she is on the President’s Council of the AKC Canine Health Foundation. To date, Lucy has completed the AKC title requirements on 165 Bedlington Terriers, several Lakelands, and both coats of Fox Terriers, most of them being home-bred. She is also the co-owner of an Airedale Terrier that finished on a specialty week- end in Ft. Worth. She has eight all-time top produc- ers to her credit, including the top-producing Bed- lington Terrier dam of all time. As the AKC Gazette columnist from 2005 until recently, Lucy’s columns were focused on the inter- pretation of the breed standard, using a group of breeders designated as Breeders of Distinction by the parent club Awards Committee. She assisted with editing The Official Book of The Bedlington Terrier and Bedlington Terrier with Muriel Lee . She contrib- uted to An Eye for the Second Century by Ian Phillips and has written for several publications such as “Just Terriers,” “Tassels and Tales,” and “Terrier Type,” in addition to being an invited guest columnist and regular columnist in the AKC Gazette . Lucy has been a Judges Education Presenter since 1994 and is currently the Judges Education Chair- man of the parent club.

NATIONAL EARTHDOG TESTS hosted by the Bedlington Terrier Club of America, Monday (Columbus Day) October 10, 2022. Ev-ry Place, LLC., 1333 Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Rd, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Pre-entries close 5 p.m. on 10-03-22. Gate entries close 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each class. Rain or Shine. First test starts at 8 a.m., the second test starts at 1 p.m. Limited Entries, so please consider making a pre-entry. Supported Entries: American Hairless Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Border Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Jagdterrier, Lakeland Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, and West Highland White Terrier. Endorsed by Working Ter- rier & Lurcher Club (UK). NEW FOR 2021: NOVICE EARTHDOG CLASSES! Great opportunity to earn a title for beginner earthdogs. In total, we are offering Intro to Quarry, Novice, Junior, Senior and Master classes. We have four great judges: Jody Brinley, New Cumberland, PA; Tammy Colbert, Huntington Beach, CA; Tru- dy Kawami, Brooklyn, NY; and Karen Zeman, LaGrangeville, NY. Observer judges will be welcome. Please contact Linda Freeman at LMFreeman1959@ gmail.com to set up an observer position. Earthdog needs more judges, so this is a great chance to learn. A Professional Photographer will be available. Merchant booth space is available in the barn. All entries receive a gift from the BTCA, and all qualifying scores receive a rosette! Supported entries receive prizes for qualifying scores. New Title rosettes will be available too.

RATCATCHER RENDEZVOUS: Please join us for a won-

derful meal, introduce your- self, meet other ratcatchers, and enjoy some big rat stories. Prospector’s Grill & Saloon, 3050 Rt-38, Mt Laurel, NJ 08054. All meals ordered à la carte, 7 p.m., Sunday night, October 9, 2022. Please con- tact Linda Freeman by Sept 25 to secure a seat. Or contact Linda Freeman, Show Chair, at LMFreeman1959@ gmail.com . Volunteers are always much appreciated and welcome! (The American Kennel Club offers only the normal Earthdog titles for this event.) Please see the premium list for more details. Download from the Bedling- ton Terrier Club of America website: www.bedlingtonamerica.com/2022-btca- sponsored-earthdog-trial/

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BEDLINGTON TERRIERS: BRED FOR THEIR GAMING PROWESS by JOANN BURTNESS, PAT MILLS, DR. DENNIS CORASH & RICHARD REYNOLDS

Bedlington is thought to have one of the longest continuous pedigrees of any breed recognized by the American Ken- nel Club. In 1825, a man named Joseph Ainsley (Aynsley) mated two of his ter- riers and he called the result, Bedling- ton Terriers. This was the beginning of the name, Bedlington. He is believed to have lived in or near the town of Bedlington (UK) and named the breed after the English Village. The town of Bedlington lies about 18 miles from Northumberland. One of these pups was named Piper (or Young Piper) and is said to have started hunting badger at only eight-months-old. He had a long and notable career; he lived up to his intended purpose and was admired by the neighbors and townspeople. BEDLINGTON TERRIERS, THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL BARN HUNTERS? In 1872, Mr. Holland writes in the first edition of Dogs, “I have heard the Makepeace’s, especially Old Nicholas, were celebrated rat-catchers. (who lived near Howick and made their liv- ing going from gentlemen’s’ house to another to kill vermin. They always had first-rate terriers, most of the small wiry sort, who were splendid ratters)”. In old England, Bedlington Terriers were employed to clear the mines of rats. Today’s terrier enthusiasts, take to the streets of urban New York City to thin out rat infested populations. The modern-day Bedlington Terrier is still

SHORT HISTORY The roots of the Bedlington Terrier can be traced to the latter part of the 18th century, to a collection of terriers that existed near Rothbury Forest in the county of Northumberland in northern England known as the Rothbury Ter- rier. This particular strain of Terrier was highly esteemed by the local com- munity for their excellent qualities, especially for their gameness. In rural England, a good hunting dog could pro- vide food for the family, rid the fields of vermin that competed for the crops that the people depended on and pro- vide animal skins for shelter and cloth- ing. At that time, and long before, were some very staunch and sporting terriers in the district. Procuring the best and gamest of them, the local people pro- duced the gaming dogs relied on for their effort and cooperation to provide game for food. This meant survival for their proud owners. The outcome of these matings in this area is thought to have produced the Dandie Dinmont as well as the Bedlington Terrier. The early histories of these breeds are close- ly intertwined with many of the same dogs and people. During this period in history, dogs were bred to perpetuate their hunting qualities: strength, courage, endurance, nose, even barking—to identify their

location underground. To get badger, fox or other vermin, the dogs would often work as teams, some would go to ground (terra—terrier.) These dogs would need to be able to chase the prey into the tunnels and holes. To hunt above ground (pursue and catch rabbits, etc.) the dog must not be too short on leg. His principal vocation (though sometimes considered poach- ing) would require a dog small in stat- ure with a powerful, punishing jaw, strong neck and good strong teeth. The Bedlington Terrier became well- known in this location for being a “gen- eralist”—able to go to ground and also adept at overcoming prey in the open field or working in teams to chase and deliver the sought-after vermin. These dogs, which were working in and around Rothbury became recognized and highly prized for their prowess in the field. At this time, it is believed their appearance to be rather rough and not always uniform or alike in physical char- acteristics, however, what they were prized for was their ability to work in the field and underground. The first Bedlington Terrier can be traced back through pedigrees to Old Flynt. Old Flynt was born in 1782 (1792 by some accounts) and belonged to Mr. Trevelyan, the squire of Netherwit- ton, a village south of Rothbury. The

S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , N OVEMBER 2018 • 295

2. Sag. Crest.

3. Orbit. Proc.

1. Occ. Tub.

5. Nasal

8. Zyg

9. Atlas

7. Can.

14. Cr. Ilium

11. Lumb. Vert.

13. Sacrum

10. Neur. Sp. Dors. Vert.

17. Dors. Scap.

6. Premol

12. Neur. Spin. Caud. Vert.

4. Malar. Proc.

16. Tub. Isch.

18. Spine Scap. 19. Acromion 20. Coracoid 21. Hd. Humerus

38. Ischium

39. Grt. Trachanter

15. Manabrium

40. Ext. Tub. Fem.

42. Patella 43. Int. Tub. Fem. 44. Int. Tub. Tib.

41. Hd. Fibula

23. Ext. Epicon. Hum.

22. Olecranon

24. Cap. Radius

25. Int. Epicon. Hum.

48. Calcaneum

45. Cr. Tibia

27. Int. Malleolus Rad.

46. Ext. Malleolus

47. Int. Malleolus

34. Tub. Radius

50. Cuboid 51. Tub. Ext. Melat.

52. Nav. or Scaph. 53. Tub. Int. Metal.

28.

49. Ext. Pr. Calc. 54. 3rd Cuneif 55. Tub. 3rd Met. 56. Tub. 4th Met.

26. Pisiform

28. Scapho-Lunar

31. Pyramidal 32. Unciform

28. Scapho-Lunar

29. Trapesium

35. Hd. 4th Metac.

30. Hd. 1st Metac.

36. Artic. Phalang.

37. Sesamoids

37. Sesamoids

33. Hd. 5th Metac.

quick to find a rat whether it be in Barn Hunt or Earth Dog Tests. Little training is required; hunting is embedded in their DNA. Illustrations document the gameness of the Bedlington Terriers of the 19th Century. CH Tyneside was whelped in 1869. She was a very famous bitch in her day, belonging to Mr. T.J. Pick- ett. She was entered in Vol. I of Ken- nel Club Studbook as number 3433 bred by Sir Thomas de Wheatley. She was by Spoor’s Rock out of Breeder’s Nimble. The Kennel Club, founded in 1873 featured Tearem and Tyne in the very first volume of the Kennel Club Studbook. Brother and sister were mated, and it is said that William Clark fairly gloated over their offspring. The pedigree of Scamp connects the dogs of today (1935) and the dogs of the pre-show past. (1) Edwin Megargee, (1883-1958), a very prolific dog painter, is probably the most beloved painter of our breed. He produced several works of the Bedling- ton Terrier. His art of the breed is well known and deeply respected because his illustrations are very accurate depic- tions of the soundness and structure of the Bedlington Terrier. Known for “the Head of a Lamb, and the Heart of a Lion” the Bedlington Terrier is fearless, with intense prey drive, once engaged in a hunting expedition. Drive and determination is why they excel in test events. As discussed, the Belington Ter- rier is one of the oldest of the terrier breeds. Historically bred as a hunting dog, this breed’s loyalty, intelligence,

Epaxial and hamstring muscles support body weight and elevate the body’s cen- ter of gravity during the leap suspension phase. Abdominal wall muscles bring the pelvis forward during trunk flex- ion. The trunk muscles are significantly involved in locomotion. This also gives the Bedlington Terrier excellent jump- ing abilities. It is rare for the Bedlington Terrier to knock a bar in a jumping event unless exhausted by the length and pace of the run. Although the rotary gallop serves the Bedlington well in short sprints and jumping, if she cannot transition into the more traditional traverse gait for the weave poles, execution of this obstacle is not efficient. Bedlingtons excel in the flat-out sprint. Lure Coursing can be physically challenging and commit- ment to conditioning is necessary. The lengthy course is primarily reserved for the young and well-conditioned Bed- lington. However, Course Ability Tests (CAT) and Fast CAT are rewarding for the athletic, well-maintained Bedling- ton Terrier that enjoys showcasing their speed. TODAY’S HUNTING AND VERMIN CONTROL In recent years there has been renewed interest in the United States in using the Bedlington for the pur- pose originally intended, that being hunting and vermin control. Although it is well hidden under the styled and manicured coat, the Bedlington Ter- rier’s ability to work seems to have sur- vived. When hunting rats the dogs seem

tenacious personality and keen work- ing ability make them very fine com- panion and performance dogs. THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER EXCELS IN RUNNING COMPETITION SUCH AS AGILITY AND COURSING ABILITY TEST. Overground, the Bedlington Terrier kicks it up into high gear. This gait is known as the rotary gallop, also utilized by the Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi and Cheetah. It is the fastest, but also the most fatiguing of all gaits (double suspension gallop; jumping gallop). Suspension periods follow lifting of the second impacting hind limb and lifting of the second impacting forelimb. The pattern of the limb impact rotates: right hind, left hind, extended suspension, left fore, right fore and collected suspen- sion. The Greyhound and Saluki using this technique can achieve speeds of 43 mph. Some have been clocked even higher. The running speed of a horse is around 25 to 30 mph with the fastest horse ever clocked at 43 mph. Flexion and extension of the vertebral column greatly increase the effectiveness of the stride length, thus compensating for the shorter limbs thereby, able to overcome prey. Trunk flexion (abdominal muscles) enables the hind paws to impact far ahead of the spot where the fore paws impacted the ground. Trunk extension during hindlimb propulsion produces a leap that enables the forelimbs to impact far ahead of their static anatomical reach.

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BEDLINGTONS IN THE SHOW RING

to choose whether to work close in to bolt rats from their hiding place (push dogs) or stand back, ready to snatch up the runners (catch dogs). When hunt- ing larger quarry, the Bedlington most often serves as a lurcher, ready to catch bolted quarry escaping the burrow. It is a fearsome fighter, ready to dis- patch quarry previously located by the hole dogs. Perhaps because of its roots among poachers, the Bedlington hunts mostly in silence and give little or no warning when it attacks. It is for this reason that the Bedlington Terrier should never be sparred in the conformation ring. Many of the breed have succeeded in Barn Hunt and Earth Dog Tests and are quick to learn the tricks of the trade. The hunting instinct is different and takes longer to develop. CORRECT PROPORTION OF THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER: FORM AND FUNCTION These points all relate to the bone structure of the Bedlington and all serve a functional purpose. 1. The Bedlington should be mea- sured with a wicket for absolute accu- racy. The height of the dog is measured from the top of the withers to the ground. Our standard calls for a dog to be 16 and ½ inches tall and a bitch to be 15 and ½ inches tall. Deviation from the ideal size is normal and there is no disqualification on either sex when the specimen presented in the ring is of obvious quality. The standard also calls for the animal to be slightly longer rather than tall and a square dog is incorrect despite being appealing to the eye of many judges. A longer dog is usually a faster runner and bet- ter able to catch rabbits for the pot. (Red lines). 2. To achieve correct movement, the Scapula and Upper Arm should be of the same length and the return of the upper arm should equal the layback of

the shoulder angle. This is very impor- tant for the desired front movement because a shorter upper arm equals a hackneyed gait. The standard calls for a springy gait but severely criticizes hackney movement. The width between the legs at the chest should be greater than at the foot because of the depth of chest needed for lung capac- ity, again a reference to a good running dog. (Green line). 3. The Femur and Fibula in the hind end should be of equal length. This is easily measured by lifting the leg until the hock touches the ischium exactly. A longer leg bone giving a sweeping rear to the dog is incorrect. It is also a weak structure that will break down in dogs doing performance events like agility, racing, and coursing. (Blue line). 4. The arch should be the highest right above the tuck-up. In the loin these seven lumbar vertebrae are fused and are important for stability. This is not to say the dog should look like a cro- quet wicket, but rather have a nice easy arch over the loin. (Brown line). 5. The thirteen thoracic or dorsal vertebrae along the back between the withers and loin are very flexible. This is important for dogs used to go to ground as it gives them the great flex- ibility to turn in very tight quarters. It is also essential to the double suspen- sion gallop where a dog demonstrates once again the flexibility so necessary for speed. (Yellow line). 6. & 7. The back skull is measured from the occiput to the slight stop in the front of the face. The fore face is measured from the slight stop to the end of the nose. These should be at least equal and preferably longer in the for face. This longer fore face gives immense strength to the jaws which house extremely large teeth. This char- acteristic has made the Bedlington one of the most formidable hunters and fighters in its size category. (Purple and pink lines).

Dog shows in the United States and Canada predated the formation of gov- erning bodies. The American Kennel Club formed in 1884, began publica- tion of its official Stud Book in 1887. The Stud Book registering 2,221 dogs is known now as Volume 4. Previous stud books from other registry organizations predated this work. The Bedlington made its mark on these early, hectic years of registration history. The first Bedlingtons in the U.S. were imported from England in 1880 and the first reg- istered Bedlington is found in Volume 1, a registry effort of Forest and Stream, predating AKC. Three Bedlingtons were shown in a special Bedlington division of the class for “Rough Haired Terriers” at St Louis on October 9, 1880. The first Cham- pion was shown in 1884. Ch Blucher was a dog born in 1882 in England and brought to the United States. Champi- ons of the time were dogs who won three blue ribbons. Ch. Blucher won the ribbons in shows in the United States and is recognized as the first Bedling- ton Champion. Few breeds can actually boast of so many years in active show classes and Champions of Record. There have been many outstanding Bedlingtons of note in the show ring, however the only Bedlington winning Best in Show at Westminster did so in 1948, Ch Rockridge Nightrocket. He was owned by Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rockefeller. REFERENCES 1. Redmarshall, et.al, The Bedlington Terrier. Comprising a Short Account of the Early History and Origin of the Breed, and Stud Book. 2nd edi- tion, (1935), Bedlington Terrier Club of America. 2. Seton, Ernest Thompson, Art Anato- my of Animals. (1977), Running Press Philadelphia, PA. (Figure 1)

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THE BEDLINGTON TERRIER By Lucy Heyman I never really fully appreciated the exceptional qualities of my Bed- lington Terriers until I owned and operated a public boarding kennel and had to care for many di ff erent breeds. Th e constant “...to see a Bedlington’s tender

Now that’s a testimonial. They are engaging, they are endearing and if you can get to the grooming shop regu- larly, the rest of it is a cakewalk. Much has be said and written over the years about the ferocity of an aroused Bedlington, their ability to kill prey and their unpredictable rival- ry with other dogs, but to see a Bed- lington’s tender affection for a stranger in a nursing home is an amazing sight. affection for a stranger in a nursing home IS AN AMAZING SIGHT.”

clean up of copious amounts of hair; the nervous and unsure dogs that refused to eat and drink; the dogs that resisted nec- essary grooming care all came as a rude awakening to me. My credo became, “Oh, if I could only a ff ord to limit my clientele to Terrier breeds, primarily Bedlingtons, life would be wonderful!” After over 30 years of breeding and exhibiting Bedlington Terriers, I never tire of listening to my clients’ superlatives about the breed: “I can’t imagine going through life without a Bedlington”, “I’ve always wanted a Bedlington since I saw one when I was nine years old”, “I’m glad I didn’t have to go through life without knowing how wonderful Bedlingtons are”, “We had other breeds after our Bedlington, but want another one” and the best of all, “If I had known how great Bedlingtons were, I would not have had children!”

Th ey are tremendously e ff ective ther- apy dogs and we already have a few that have earned recognition from the Ameri- can Kennel Club for their therapy work. Did you know that Bedlingtons can compete successfully in lure coursing? We now have a few title- holders in that pursuit. The breed has excelled in the various other performance events that they are eligilble for.

“Did you know that Bedlingtons CAN COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY IN LURE COURSING?”

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We have agility Bedlingtons that have earned MACH titles up to the 9th level. We have UDX Bedlingtons in obedience and some high achievers in Rally. Not surprisingly, the Master EarthDog titleholders are quite numer- ous. Greatly surprising are the few Bed- lingtons that are Schutzhund dogs. Bedlingtons are a low population breed with less than 200 individual dog registrations recorded every year. However, the breed enjoys an enthu- siastic fancy, with a parent club that “A BEDLINGTON HAS NEVER GONE WANTING FOR CARE AND A NEW HOME, thanks to some conscientious and dedicated fanciers.”

boasts over 300 members and exhibi- tors that finish conformation titles on at least 50 dogs a year. We are fortunate to have a wealth of literature about the breed, considering it’s low population. A comprehensive bibliography can be found on the parent club’s website, bedlingtonamerica.com. Th e breed books are richly illustrated with photo- graphs, and there are several authored by Muriel Lee and some from experts in the mother country of our breed in Great Britain, Ken Bounden and Ian Phillips.

The breed is most fortunate to have been chosen as a subject for the original research to develop a molecular genet- ics test to identify carriers of a major hereditary disease, inherited copper toxicosis. Many affected dogs would succumb to liver failure, some prior to their third birthday. The test developed at the University of Michigan in 1994 has now virtually eradicated the disease in the breed and became the impetus for the formation of the AKC Canine Health Foundation.

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Like all mammals, Bedlingtons suf- fer from a few other inherited diseases, but the majority of identified maladies in the the breed are not life threatening and nor are they difficult to manage. The parent club opted to participate in the Canine Health Information Center established by the Orthopedic Founda- tion For Animals and the tests desig- nated for registration in the scheme are the aforementioned DNA Markers for Copper Toxicosis, OFA Patellar Luxa- tion clearance after the first birthday and a yearly eye exam by a ACVO certified ophthalmologist. Despite the low population, the need for rescue efforts arises occasion- ally. Our breed fancy started organized rescue in the late 80s before the prac- tice was widespread. A Bedlington has never gone wanting for care and a new home, thanks to some conscientious and dedicated fanciers. One of the greatest testimonials for the breed occurred with a dog that I personally rescued. He was imported from Russia by a Missouri puppy mill- er, passed along to another puppy mill in Kansas that was raided. We were notified that there was a male Bedling- ton in a state authorized shelter, how- ever he was considerably larger than the standard. I was able to get the dog released after being neutered and I test- ed his DNA markers for copper toxico- sis which would also affirm that he was pure-bred. He was and a non-carrier, so I sent him to a new home shortly thereafter. What was truly remarkable, was his easy adjustment, after 6 years of being kenneled in puppy mills and shelters, he acclimated to his new home without missing a beat! So what do you think? A 20-pound dog that you can carry under your arm, that doesn’t shed or have a doggy odor, is happy with whatever life brings them, and is so very versatile that it can perform at a high level with other breeds that are specialized in the event. If you ever had one, you would raving with my clients!

ber of the now disbanded Palm Valley Kennel Club, the Corpus Christi Ken- nel Club and is currently a member of the Houston Kennel Club. In addition to the parent club, Lucy is also a mem- ber of the U.S. Lakeland Terrier Club and the American Fox Terrier Club. She serves as a Director of the Hous- ton All Terrier Club, newly licensed to hold AKC events. Lucy has served 6 terms as Corresponding Secretary of the Bedlington Terrier Club of Amer- ica, Inc., as well as it’s Awards Chair- man and has been rescuing since 1988. She is Chairman of the Bedlington Terrier Wellness and Rescue Associa- tion, a 501(c)3 charity and is on the President’s Council of the AKC Canine Health Foundation. To date, Lucy has completed the AKC title requirements on 158 Bed- lington Terriers, several Lakelands and both coats of Fox Terriers, most of them being home bred. She is also the co-owner of an Airedale Terrier that finished specialty weekend in Ft. Worth. She has 7 all time top producers to her credit, including the top produc- ing Bedlington Terrier dam of all time. As the AKC Gazette columnist since 2005 until recently, Lucy’s col- umns were focused on the interpre- tation of the breed standard using a group of breeders designated as Breed- ers of Distinction by the parent club Awards Committee. She assisted edit- ing The Official Book of The Bed- lington Terrier and Bedlington Ter- rier with Muriel Lee. She contributed to An Eye For The Second Century by Ian Phillips and has written for sev- eral publications such as “Just Terri- ers”, “Tassels and Tales”, and “Terrier Type” in addition to being an invited guest columnist and regular columnist in the AKC Gazette . Lucy has been a Judges Education Presenter since 1994. 19402 Kuykendahl Road Spring, TX 77379 laheyman@elkincarillon.com (281)772-3468

BIO Lucy Heyman has been active in canine sports since 1979 when she finished the Championship title on her first Bedlington Terrier at the National Specialty held at the Mont- gomery County Kennel Club. He was never used in the breeding program, but the puppy bitch, who was Reserve at Devon was to be the foundation of her Carillon breeding program. To date, Ch. Claremont Lana has nearly 700 Champion descendants and many individuals that excel in performance events. Lucy joined the parent club in 1979 and is now a life member, being awarded the prestigious Willemson Breed Betterment Award in 2007. Lucy was also active in all breed clubs, being a founding Board Member and Corresponding Secretary of the Tyler Texas Kennel Club in 1981 and is still a member. She was also a mem-

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