National Bedlington Terrier Club

History of the NATIONAL BEDLINGTON TERRIER CLUB.

Canine books and journals from the 1860’s to date contain almost as many opinions of the origin of the Bedlington Terrier as there are chapters written. One of the most popular beliefs is that they were peculiar to the gypsies in the Rothbury Forest area in the 18^th century; this has not been confirmed. In the 18^th century, there were but two types of terrier, the rough and smooth coated types. The popularity of these ancestors of the modern terrier decreased in direct proportion to the increase of those breeds originating from them. By the 1870s, apart from the Rough Scotch they had become extinct. It is from the Rough Coated Scotch Terrier that the Dandie Dinmont and the Bedlington have developed by selective breeding.

Published documents state that a family called Cowney brought into England some of their dogs in the late 18^th century and it is probable that other migrant Scots imported terriers of a similar mould. It is thought these and the dogs of the area became the forerunners of the Bedlington Terrier.

In 1873, the Kennel Club was formed. In 1874 the first issue of the Kennel Club Stud Book was published. It listed 30 Bedlingtons, the first entry is that of Beauty, owned by Mr A Currie, of Leith, Scotland, whose qualification was a 2^nd prize at Edinburgh in 1871.

1875 was a significant year in the development of the breed. A group of fanciers came together to form the Bedlington Terrier Club, and in 1876 a speciality show was held at the Half Moon Inn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This first club was disbanded and reformed in 1882 and immediately published its rules, together with the Breed Standard and a list of judges. This second club lasted 5 years before going out of existence and a third Bedlington Terrier Club started up in 1887 with Mr W E Alcock, a solicitor from Sunderland was elected its secretary, a post he filled until the club was disbanded in 1892.

Over the years the club has had a number of secretaries, the longest serving being Mr John Cook who took over on January 1^st 1906 and served the club until 31^st December 1933. The present secretary, Mrs Alice Emsley took on the roll on 14^th August 1977.

The club has amassed a number of silver trophies over the years; the first to be presented to the club was the Williams Wears Cup in 1901. This is presented to the Best in Show winner at the club’s Open Show in March. William Wears of the ‘Clyde’ Bedlingtons was employed in the licensed trade and was landlord of a number of public houses in the Newcastle and Gateshead area. The most sought after trophy is the Bedlington Coal Co. Ltd Challenge Cup, often referred to as the Bedlington Statuette. This beautiful solid silver model of a Bedlington is now presented for Best in Show at the Championship Show in August. Presented to the club in 1936, the first winner was CH Welldon Adorable owned by Miss M Pattison.

Extracts taken from the Centenary Book of the National Bedlington Terrier Club 1998 written by I J Phillips.

The club celebrated its centenary in 1998 with a Championship show in Bedlington, Northumberland. Visitors from around the world enjoyed a weekend of celebrations.

Friday, March 27^th saw the start of a very special weekend with an evening get together at the Bedlington Inn, Bedlington. On the morning of Saturday March 28^th, exhibitors and visitors gathered at Bedlington High School for the start of the Championship Show which had drawn an entry of 139 Bedlington Terriers, later that day visitors once again gathered for a social evening with live music to entertain us.  Sunday morning saw many set off on a coach tour of the area, taking in many villages and towns where the early Bedlington owners had lived many years ago.

The club continues to grow with a worldwide membership who receives News Bulletins, which are published twice a year, and Bedlington merchandise is available from the membership secretary. The club has hosted a seminar on copper toxicosis, a hereditary disease found in the Bedlington Terrier and held several judges training days. A booklet called the Illustrated Standard is also available which includes hints on trimming, and a Guide for Judges, a must for all Bedlington owners and judges.

Membership of the club runs from 1^st December to 30^th November each year, fees are - Joint/Partnership £8.00, Single £6.00, Juniors 6 – 16 years £3 and overseas £8.00 or £40.00 for 5 years. To be paid in Sterling. Membership Application on line.

For more information on the club and its shows, contact the secretary or check out the News and Events page.

The objectives of the club are to promote the breeding, showing, ownership, appreciation and welfare of Bedlington Terriers.

The club offers congratulations to members who have made up a champion in 2008. They will receive champion medals at the club's AGM in March 2009