The Original Bedlington Terrier.

[John H Williams]

 

  The Bedlington Terrier has changed dramatically since its first appearance in Bedlington in 1825.It was once considered the hardest,meanest,toughest terrier around.It was often used in dog fights,and crossed with Bull Terriers (which Stafford nailmakers had brought to Bedlington) to produce small/medium sized gladiators. Sir Mathew Ridley of Blagdon Hall and Edward Donkin of Great Tosson used Bedlingtons with their foxhounds.The Carlisle Otter Hunt used Bedlingtons with the Otterhounds.The modern Bedlington does not look anything like the original dog,especially in regards to coat. The original dogs had rough,waterproof coats that did not need trimming.The drawing below shows what the early Bedlingtons were like.William Clark,who farmed the Wind Mill Farm in Bedlington,was an enthusiastic early breeder of Bedlington Terriers,and he considered the dog in the drawing below to be remarkably similar to Ainsley's 'Piper',the first dog to be called a Bedlington Terrier,bred in St. Cuthbert's Vicarage in 1825.

  This is the earliest known representation of a Bedlington Terrier,a drawing of Mr. Taprell-Holland's Peachem,which was published in The Field in November 1869.The dog is very different to the modern Bedlington,with a business-like appearance and a rough coat. In January 1870,a letter by "A" (actually Mr.W.J.Donkin,the secretary of the first Bedlington Club) appeared in The Field,and he mentioned this dog. "Let me assure Senex that where pains have been taken to preserve the breed pure,there has been no degeneration in head,shape,or courage.Of this I had a striking proof at the last Darlington Show. In the Bedlington class were two light liver-coloured dogs in adjoining pens,so much alike as to pass for brothers,or sire and son. They had many admirers,one of whom was William Clark,an old and enthusiastic breeder. From him I learned that Ainsley's Piper was faithfully represented in the specimens before him. Neither of them were known to him,but I may here state Peachem was one,and William Weldon's Billy the other." So,in this drawing of Peachem,we find a "faithful representation" of Ainsley's Piper,the original Bedlington Terrier.

[Canny lass]

The name Donkin seems to crop up quite often. In my childhood there was a family baker's shop in Bedlington owned by the Donkins. There must be Donkins around today who may have information/photos etc.

[Canny lass]

Perhaps we should combine the two topics in one?

[John H Williams]

I know little about Northern surnames. Donkin seems to crop up frequently in different areas,so I am guessing (I could be wrong) that it is fairly common. The early records claim that the ancestors of the Bedlington Terrier were derived from two dogs named Peachem and Pincher owned by Edward Donkin (known as Hunting Ned) of Great Tosson Farm,near Rothbury. He died in 1832,and there is no mention of any Donkin in the pedigrees of the Bedlington Terrier afterwards. Great Tosson is near Piper Allan's home,and Donkin's terriers were probably related to,or were descended from,Old Will Allan's terriers.

[Yail Brussels]

If we look at the new modern Bedlington terrier, he looks very innocent. No one can imagine that he was used in dog fights. It's all about how you train the dog. We have examples of many other dogs like a blue nose pitbull, even he was used in dog fights, he even competed in wars. Now many people says that he is not like that. Many experts say its all about how you train your dog. Even the badass dog like pitbull can behave well if trained well. I believe the appearance of Bedlington is changed because breeders may have tried to interbreed with different parent dog.

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

1 hour ago, Yail Brussels said:

If we look at the new modern Bedlington terrier, he looks very innocent. No one can imagine that he was used in dog fights. It's all about how you train the dog. We have examples of many other dogs like a blue nose pitbull, even he was used in dog fights, he even competed in wars. Now many people says that he is not like that. Many experts say its all about how you train your dog. Even the badass dog like pitbull can behave well if trained well. I believe the appearance of Bedlington is changed because breeders may have tried to interbreed with different parent dog.

@Yail Brussels - when you say '...... we have examples of many other dogs like a blue nose pitbull..............'  are you referring to a 'group' - a Facebook group - a web site or something else?

Are you looking for info or members?😊

[Yail Brussels]

Lol. I meant to say we have seen. I was referring to people generally.

[Alan Edgar (Eggy1948)]

5 hours ago, Yail Brussels said:

Lol. I meant to say we have seen. I was referring to people generally.