Bedlington Whippet

Introduction to the breed: A cross between a Bedlington Terrier and a Whippet. The cross has been a popular one for about 100 years. Beddlington Terriers were used for rat hunting and Whippets for hare coursing and racing.

Keywords: Small lurchers, either smooth or rough coated, elegant & muscular.

Traits: Fun, friendly and active. They have the whippet speed and tendency to chase together with the tenacity of the Bedlington Terrier. They love to play with other dogs but particularly other sighthounds.

Exercise: As with all puppies, care should be taken not to overwork the growing legs & muscles. However they quickly gain stamina and love running & playing. Adults need at least an hour of active exercise every day plus other walks whenever you feel like it & the weather permits. Once fully mature they will walk & run almost endlessly followed by many hours of good sleep!

Health: Generally robust as cross breeds tend to be. Keep an eye out for skin & paw damage when running through brush or on rough ground. 

Why you will never have another breed again: They are fun! Loyal and cuddly and exactly the right size! They respond well to training particularly if it involves running & playing. Although staying still is difficult as they are easily distracted by the world around them.

Comparison to other breeds: Being a specific cross breed, they have the traits of both Whippets & Bedlington Terriers. This cross keeps the size small and the smooth haired can be mistaken for Italian Greyhounds to those who have not seen them before. The rough haired look like mini deer hounds.

Average life expectancy: 12 - 15 years

Average weight: 10-14kg

Ups of breed: Fun to be with, good companions, comparatively easy to look after. Not noisy and happy to sleep for hours. Can be left alone for up to 4 hours.

Downs of breed: Being sighthounds they can have a high prey drive. They can be very reluctant to go out in wet weather, so be prepared to play indoor games.

Personal Stories: 

Example: Pebble is a smooth haired Beddy Whippet or Whipplington. Her rough haired litter sister also belongs to this group and they just love to play together. They will be 2 years old this month and are an absolute delight. Pebble has been with me since she was 8 weeks old and has been a little furry rock helping me through the grief of losing my husband.

Written by Lin Shepphard