GROOMING, GROOMING... and more GROOMING
Need A Pep Talk?
You Got This & Your Bedlington Will Still Love You!
The Unusual & Unique 'Oh They Are So Soft' Coat
The correct texture of the coat should consist of a hard and soft mixture of fine hair. It can best be described as a ‘linty’ feeling. Bedlington hair tends to twist rather than curl like a Poodle coat. However, like Poodles, Bedlingtons are considered a non-shedding breed. A non-shedding breed has hair that continuously grows and requires regular trimming, versus breeds that have fur. Fur-type coats have a predetermined genetic component that regulates the length and amount of shedding. Breeds with fur typically have a dense double undercoat, whereas Bedlingtons are more or less single-coated dogs. Because the Bedlington coat is hair rather than fur, the Bedlington does not have natural oils or sebum to make it waterproof and protected. This is the main reason dirt and debris will adhere to the coat more than other breeds. The hair is also translucent, absorbing its surroundings like grass stain or dirt.
Let's Get Started
Grooming the Bedlington starts with discipline. Bedlingtons need to be brushed weekly in order to prevent mats and knots in the coat and to remove debris. After brushing and combing through the coat, clean the ears and trim the nails. Next, move on to the clipper work:
Step 1 Shave the cheeks, neck, ears, tail, with a #40 blade.
Step 2 Shave the underbelly and sanitary area with a #10 blade.
Step 3 Shave between the feet pads with a #40 blade or narrow blade specifically made for feet.
Scrub-A-Dub-Dub It's Time for the Tub
Follow These Simple Steps to Bathing Your Bedlington Terrier:
Step 1 Wet the entire dog except the head, the head will be bathed last.
Step 2 Shampoo the body with a pH balanced pet shampoo. Human brand shampoo has a different pH level and can dry out the coat and skin.
Step 3 Let the shampoo sit on the body and wet the head.
Step 4 Wet the head then add shampoo, be sure to avoid the eyes. Add any ear cleanser to the ears if needed, at this time. Immediately rinse the head removing all the shampoo.
Step 5 Rinse the shampoo out of the body until the water runs clean.
Step 6 Use conditioner if needed, let sit for 2-3 minutes, rinse thoroughly
Step 7 Towel dry dog thoroughly
Bring On the Blow Out
The fastest way to dry your Bedlington is to invest in a top quality force-air dryer. If your dog is agitated by the dryer, you can purchase a Happy Hoodie that goes over the head and covers the ears. Dry the entire body and legs of the dog first, then move on to drying the head. Be sure not to aim the dryer directly into the eyes, ears, and nose. You can consider your dog dry at this point if your dog does not need trimmed. If you are trimming your clean and blown out Bedlington, follow the force-air dryer with a hand-held heat dryer. Use a heat setting that is comfortable to the dog while still allowing you to fluff up the coat and get the hair to stand up and away from the body. In doing so you will get a better scissor finish on the dog.
Always do the clipper work before the bath.
This will prevent clipper burn by removing small slivers of embedded hair and sooth the skin from any irritation caused by the clippers.
Bedlington Scissorhands, Anyone?
Follow the Bedlington Terrier Grooming Chart, created by master groomer Sandy Miles, for choice of clipper blade and direction of use. For instance, use a #7 on the sides of the neck and shoulders, stopping at the elbows and start of the rib cage. Next, use a #5 starting at the shoulders and going over the dog’s sides, avoiding the top line, and stopping at the tuck up. Do not clipper over the hips or croup. The top line, croup, and hips will be hand scissored after using the clippers.
If you are going for a pet or utility trim, you may use a #4 or #5 over the entire body of the dog and clipper comb attachments over the legs. You will still hand scissor the head in order to maintain the iconic Bedlington look. If a show trim is your goal, hand scissor the head, back of the neck or mane, topline and croup blending into the hips and rear legs, and finally the front legs. For more details on grooming, open the Advanced Grooming Article for Pet & Show Grooms.
DIY Grooming List For Bedlington Owners
GROOMING EQUIPMENT:
Grooming Table with Arm Attachment
Slicker Brush
Greyhound Comb
Clippers, Electric or Cordless
#10, #40, #5 or #7 Blades (F or Skiptooth)
Scissors, 8in Straights or Similar
Nail Trimmers or Dremel
Hemostats or Curved Foreseps
Force Air Dryer
Hand-Held Dryer
GROOMING PRODUCTS:
Shampoo
Conditioner
Ear Cleanser
Ear Powder
Kwik Stop Powder
#4 Blade
Clipper Comb Attachments
Curved Scissors
Don’t Forget The Treats!
OPTIONAL ITEMS:
Grooming Spray
Antistatic Spray
Happy Hoodie
Bathing Sponge
Toothbrush & Toothpaste for dogs