Thinking about getting a dog..advice required.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I would like to buy a Bedlington Terrier, however, I've never owned a dog before so don't know what I should be looking for when choosing a puppy. I've always been a cat owner, until recently when my cat passed away after 19 years.

Can anyone advise what I need to look out for & any questions I need to ask when searching out for a puppy.

Caroline_a

Why a Bedlington? just curious. If you don't know much about the breed I would recommend waiting a few months until Crufts is on and going to see the Bedlingtons there. You can chat to the breeders and ask for recommendations, etc.

As a general rule, if you are going to go for a pedigree puppy you need to do your research. Find out what diseases they are susceptible to and discuss that with any breeder you speak to. Ask the breeder what health checks they have done, and ask a little about their 'history' as a breeder. See how much they want to know about you - if they ask no questions then I would be wary, most good breeders vet their owners more stringently than an interview for a top job!

Finally, don't assume that the first litter you see will be the one for you. Go and meet the b1tches before they have had their puppies - once you see the puppies, no matter how dreadful the conditions, it's very hard to say no!!

Person_one

Bedlingtons look fluffy and cute but they are terriers through and through! Possibly not the easiest dog for a first timer in my humble opinion.

Do about 6 months of research on various breeds and on owning and training a puppy, then think about it seriously!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I think Bedlingtons are adorable & from doing brief research they don't appear to moult which is a bonus & they also have a good life expectancy. I have also admired them since I was a child.
Also, I wasn't thinking about even going to visit breeders until I carry out more research. Just need advice on what I should be looking for both in the breeder & the dog.

I'm not bothered whether it's a male or a female as I intend to get it neutered. The cats I have owned had all been neutered.

Thanks for the good advice Caroline & Person_one.

Caroline_a

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote: »

I think Bedlingtons are adorable & from doing brief research they don't appear to moult which is a bonus & they also have a good life expectancy. I have also admired them since I was a child.
Also, I wasn't thinking about even going to visit breeders until I carry out more research. Just need advice on what I should be looking for both in the breeder & the dog.

I'm not bothered whether it's a male or a female as I intend to get it neutered. The cats I have owned had all been neutered.

Thanks for the good advice Caroline & Person_one.

:T:T

Well done for this although you will find that male and female characters in dogs are quite different even after neutering. Again, talk to the breeders. Personally I do better with male dogs, but it's all a matter of the breed and you as a person.

Sagz_2

There is a Bedlington Rescue, I'm sure they will be able to give you good advice about the breed. If this will be your first dog you could consider having an adult dog that will teach you? There's so much to get wrong with a puppy (I know I did!).

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thank you for the link. I will check it out.

albacookie

Bedlingtons are prone to a liver condition called copper toxicosis so if you do get one make sure it has been tested and does not carry the gene responsible.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

albacookie wrote: »

Bedlingtons are prone to a liver condition called copper toxicosis so if you do get one make sure it has been tested and does not carry the gene responsible.

These kind of things is one of the reasons I posted this thread. I want to be sure of all eventualities.

The Bedlington Terrier Club appears to have a few breeders in my area. I will contact them after Christmas.

elfen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterdale_Terrier - These are a bunch of nutters (the dog) but so so lovable and a similar size to the Bedlington. Just though if you want a terrier it might be worth looking at other breeds.....

Person_one

elfen wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patterdale_Terrier - These are a bunch of nutters (the dog) but so so lovable and a similar size to the Bedlington. Just though if you want a terrier it might be worth looking at other breeds.....

Another that is terrier through and through!

OP, have you spent much time around terriers? They are lovely dogs but they have very, erm, strong personalities and instincts that can be hard for inexperienced owners to manage.

I'm not trying to put you off, but my first terrier was a steep learning curve and he was one of the less 'terrorist' breeds, he's a lovely dog but I wouldn't give him to a beginner!

There are easier types out there, but if you do love bedlingtons its worth checking that you love all their terrier instinct as well as their looks!

Is non-shedding important for allergy reasons?