Wednesday 20 January 2016

Mat the Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is a dog which originates in the Northumbrian borders. It was first called the Rothbury Terrier, but was renamed after the Bedlingtonshire district. The Bedlington Terrier was primarily a hunting dog, used to eradicate vermin, and also used to hunt badgers, hares and foxes.

Bedlington Terriers were also family pets, and were a favoured companion of Northumbrian pitmen. The first dog show with a Bedlington Terrier class was in 1870.



In May 1872, James Knox of Bebside, placed two advertisements in the Morpeth Herald. He claimed that his blue Bedlington Terrier, was "of the Pure Blood" and had a "Pedigree from 1791", and was wanting to stud him out.

In November of the same year, James placed a notice in the newspaper, saying that his blue Bedlington Terrier, Mat, was lost. He was last seen at Bedlington. There would be a reward for anyone who returned him, but anyone detaining Mat would be prosecuted. 

Clearly Mat was sick of being a stud dog! 

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