Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Curly coat, medium.
A Bedlington Terrier suits
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 4 of 5)
- People who hate dog hair on the sofa (shedding 1 of 5)
- Anyone who wants a natural watchdog (protective nature 4 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 4 and mental stimulation needs of 3 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 4, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 3 of 5 means weekly brushing.
Popularity
In 2020 it ranked 141.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Airedale TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Dandie Dinmont TerrierKidsEnergyShedding
Compare: Bedlington Terrier vs Airedale Terrier · Bedlington Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier · Bedlington Terrier vs Cairn Terrier
Frequently asked questions
Are Bedlington Terriers good with kids?
The AKC rates the Bedlington Terrier 3 out of 5 for being good with young children. Supervise early meetings and teach kids how to handle a dog.
Do Bedlington Terriers shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 1 out of 5 (very low), and coat grooming 3 out of 5.
Are Bedlington Terriers easy to train?
Trainability is rated 3 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 3 out of 5.
How much energy does a Bedlington Terrier have?
Energy is rated 4 out of 5 and playfulness 3 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Bedlington Terrier page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.