Pyredoodle vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison

Originally known as Rodbury Terriers or Rothbury’s Lambs, and renowned for looking like a lamb, the Bedlington Terrier was bred in the village of Bedlington in Northumberland. They’ve had other names too and were also known as ‘gypsy dogs’ and this is because gypsies used them to hunt.

The Bedlington Terrier Club was established in 1875 and the National Bedlington Terrier Club was formed in England in 1877. The breed has links with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the Kerry Blue Terrier and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. When you look at the slightly arched back, it could also be related to the Whippet. They have been crossed with Whippets to get that speed, and feisty character.

These dogs only originated in the 1980s, and as a designer dog they are a cross between a Standard Poodle and the Great Pyrenees, both ancient dog breeds.

The breeders were looking for a non-shedding variation of both these popular breeds. This dog isn’t part of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) list of dogs.

Lamb-Like in Looks but the Heart of a Lion

Don’t let their lamb-like appearance fool you – the Bedlington Terrier is a plucky dog who has some amazing speeds when it comes to swimming and running. This is an intelligent dog too and every bit a Terrier in spirit. Their tenacity has seen them being used in dog fighting as well.

The Look

The Bedlington Terrier stands at about 41cm in height and weighs between 8 – 10kg. Muscular, with a deep chest, graceful and lithe, not only does he look like a lamb but the dog’s expression is gentle too with bright deep-set eyes. When it comes to his coat, the dogs have blue, sandy or liver color coats and the coat has tan markings in some areas.

The coat is shaggy and is made up of hard- and soft hair that will need to be regularly trimmed. Known as a hypoallergenic breed, the coat is also described as thick and linty. The ears are floppy with rounded tips, and are thin and velvety in texture with a small silky tassel at the tip. The longish tail is set low and tapers down to a point.

The Pyredoodle is a large dog standing at between 60 and 86cm in height and weighing about 38 to 46kg.

The coat varies quite a bit, depending on which breed the dog leans towards. Colors can be white, cream, apricot, silver or black. Essentially the coat is a thick double-coat of medium length hair which is fairly straight or wavy.

The dog is a low shedder, thought to have a hypoallergenic coat. Floppy ears mean you will need to check inside the ears for redness and infection brought on by an excess wax build-up, dirt and moisture. If you allow your Pyredoodle to become a parent, the can produce between 2 to 4 puppies.

Temperament:

Coming from dogs with good temperaments, the Pyredoodle comes as being good natured. He plays well with children and gets on well with other animals in the house.

He is protective and takes his role as watchdog seriously. You can be sure he is going to be a loyal family dog. His high intelligence means he can be trained and socialized with ease and then he becomes obedient and well mannered.

He is good with children, and even though he is looked upon as being sweet natured, he still makes a great watchdog and protector of his human family.

You can’t miss the Bedlington Terrier – he has a striking resemblance to a lamb. The curly coat is interesting too – a mix of hard- and soft hair. He is friendly, loyal and devoted to his human family and is known to be a brave, courageous, feisty dog with the inclination to bark more. Socialization and training can change this though. He gets on well with children and other pets in the home. He isn’t aggressive but if taunted, he can put up a good fight.

This is a dog that can adapt to his surroundings so he slots in well to both city- and country living. Wherever he lives, he will need adequate exercise.

The present-day Bedlington Terrier, inducted by the American Kennel Club in 1967, is not a lamb by any means, and by choosing to have him as your pet, you’ll be amazed at his wonderful qualities that make him such in ideal companion.

Attractive to look at, independent in nature, the Pyredoodle also has watchdog characteristics, being a protector of his human family.

Like any dog, and particularly big dogs, it is important to train the Pyredoodle otherwise he could be too active and unruly when he comes indoors.

The Pyredoodle will absolutely thrive in a loving home where the people enjoy an active lifestyle.

The Pyredoodle comes from too excellent dog breeds. Both breeds make excellent watch dogs, they’re intelligent dogs who can be easily be trained. You can expect your crossbreed dog to be a loving, loyal, devoted pet who will add a wonderful dimension to your household.

Bedlington Terriers are a healthy breed, but just like other dogs, they are prone to some common dog illnesses. You can always ensure that your Bedlington reaches his 12 – 14 years of age lifespan by ensuring his vaccines are kept up to date, that he is fed excellent food and fresh water, he is exercised and that he is loved and cherished. Also, if you’re looking to buy a Bedlington, find a reputable breeder.

Some common health issues to look out for in your Bedlington Terrier include -

Hip dysplasia
Different eye diseases
Hypothyroidism
Copper storage hepatopathy or Liver Disease – this is a disease which can be inherited and where large amounts of copper accumulate in the tissues of the liver. The result is inflammation and cell damage and this can lead to liver failure and even death. Abdominal swelling, jaundice and weight loss are symptoms to watch for with this disease.

Designer dogs are often bred with the idea to eliminate some of the typical, common health issues that plague most dogs. These are among others, bloat, cancer, hip dysplasia, skin issues, ear infections, obesity, dental disease and others.

It is highly unlikely that your lively Pyredoodle will succumb to any of the major dog illnesses, but you need to watch him and get him to the vet when you see him displaying unnatural symptoms.

It is beneficial for your pet's health to have it neutered or spayed if you aren't interested in the dog having puppies.

Exercise and Training

The Bedlington Terrier is a lively, cheerful companion at home and is somewhat more relaxed than other terrier breeds. Affectionate and loyal, he just loves to spend time with his human family. He’ll love to be your companion on a walk and he gets delighted when you’re ready to play ball games with him. He makes a great friend for children too, and even though he makes a good watchdog, he will welcome any visitors you have. When trained and socialized he becomes an obedient, well behaved member of the family.

Grooming

The Bedlington coat sheds a little but the rough coat will need to be trimmed regularly and the coat brushed twice a week to ensure no tangling and to remove loose hairs. Also, regular cleaning of teeth and ears can help ensure that harmful bacteria doesn’t build up, ensuring the overall health of your dog.

Exercise:

The Pyredoodle is a large dog who will need regular exercise. Apart from walks every day, he’ll need ball- and rope games, throwing the frisbee, hide and seek games as well as games and toys that keep him mentally active as well.

Diet:

With the Pyredoodle, never try to skimp on his food and buy the cheapest there is. He’ll get sick often because of the unwholesome ingredients such as colorants, preservatives, fillers and very few vitamins and minerals.

If you choose one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is the high quality ones. Give him a treat now and again by providing him with tasty home-cooked food. It doesn’t have to be every day, just once or twice a week.

An excellent choice of food is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach, all chopped up and added to the dry kibble. When you can, try and include a little bit of raw meat too. Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

The Pyredoodle can have a coat which can be either short and thick or it can be longer, wavy or quite curly. Grooming will be aimed at removing any loose hairs the dog has by brushing twice a week. The dog is a low shedder.

His floppy ears may mean you needing to check the insides to ensure they are free from infection. Other grooming for this dog includes trimming the nails, checking his eyes and looking inside his mouth for rotting teeth. A bad tooth can be terribly painful for your pet but it can also cause problems with other body parts such as the heart and kidneys.

Get your pet immediately to the vet if you suspect anything that can be detrimental to your dog’s health.