MyDogBreeds
Both Bedlington Terrier and Bandog are originated from United Kingdom. Bedlington Terrier may grow 32 cm / 12 inches shorter than Bandog. Bedlington Terrier may weigh 46 kg / 101 pounds lesser than Bandog. Both Bedlington Terrier and Bandog has almost same life span. Both Bedlington Terrier and Bandog has almost same litter size. Bedlington Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Bandog requires Moderate maintenance
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.
The original Bandogs were bred for guarding and protecting. It is believed that the dogs were developed from eastern shepherds, the American Pit Bull Terrier and Mastiffs and crossed with western Bullenbeissers and hounds, and it is thought that the hybrid breed came into existence way back, around 1250-1300 in Middle England.
Although it isn’t possible to say exactly how the Bandog originated, it is certain that the dogs were bred with a functional purpose – to guard and protect. In fact in the late 1960s a veterinarian by the name of Swinford started a breeding program, even though breeders of Bandogges disagree on the breeds that went into Swinford's original breeding scheme. It is believed to have been 50% American Pit Bull Terrier and 50% molosser.
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 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 Bandog is a powerful, stocky, muscular dog with small, upright ears. His tail is long and tapered, but most people prefer to have the tail docked. With his broad skull, wide shoulders and powerful chest, he is also confident and intelligent. He is a rugged dog, heavily boned and muscled, and quite aggressive when provoked. This characteristic comes from the intentional breeding to combine the courage and tenacity of an American Pit Bull Terrier with the size of the Bull Mastiff and its guarding instincts.
Even though the breed has a history of competitive fighting, today when he is trained and socialized he can be a devoted, controlled and amicable family pet, even getting on well with children and being social and affectionate with his human family members. They can be aggressive with strangers, more so if provoked or threatened by them.
Bandogges are able to get along with other animals in the home if they are raised with them, but can be aggressive with pets they aren’t familiar with. You won’t find a better guard dog and with his low barking tendencies, he quietly watches, waiting to go for any intruders.
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.
This is certainly an intimidating looking breed, having been developed from a variety of stock breeds, Because of this, there isn’t a standard set for the dog and his appearance can vary. He isn’t recommended for first-time dog owners, because he is quite complex – being both docile and aggressive – not your regular dog. He will certainly require an owner who shows them who is boss.
The Bandog may well have a reputation of being a fighter, but once he has had training and socialization, he turns out to be just a gentle giant. With a strong, firm owner, he is good with children too and becomes a devoted guardian to the entire family.
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.
Your Bandog is generally a robust, healthy breed, but he may well be prone to health concerns. Some of these are hip and elbow dysplasia and Bloat
This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that can, if left unattended, lead to lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. eye problems.
His size and his deep chest also mean he is prone to bloat. Known as gastric dilatation and volvulus, this isn’t good for your dog as the stomach becomes distended with gas, putting pressure on the diaphragm, which can cause breathing problems.
Just because your Bandog is a healthy breed, it doesn’t mean your puppy is immune from his puppy shots. Your puppy will need his first vaccinations from 6 to 8 weeks of age for parvovirus, distemper, rabies and hepatitis.
Check your country’s vaccination regulations, because in the United States, most states require that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies.
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.
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.
These large, short-haired dogs have a short coat and they are easy to groom. Remove loose hair with a rubber brush twice a week. The breed is an average shedder and if you start regular brushing from when he is a young dog, he will be happy to let you do it as an adult. Check his ears and eyes regularly and clip his toe nails.
The Bandog is an energetic breed that will require a good deal of exercise. This is one breed you can’t leave alone in your garden day after day. He will require games and walks to avoid boredom and frustration.
The Bandog puppy will grow and develop quickly, so his diet should be good quality dog food. He is big and thirsty and there must be a ready source of clean drinking water. Because he is inclined to drool, his water bowl will need to be cleaned out regularly to avoid him drinking contaminated water.