Bedlington Terrier Colors & Coat Guide

All recognized Bedlington Terrier colors, coat types, genetics, and how color can impact pricing and health.

Bedlington Terrier Colors Overview

The palette of Bedlington Terrier coat colors reflects the breed's genetic diversity. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Responsible breeders prioritize health over color production. While rare colors may be appealing, they should never come at the expense of proper health testing and breed-standard temperament.

Recognized Colors

Blue Standard

Liver Standard

Sandy Standard

Blue and Tan Standard

Liver and Tan Standard

Sandy and Tan Standard

Color & Price Impact

Standard colors	Normal pricing ($1000–$2000)
Rare/unusual colors	Premium pricing (+$600–$1000)

Coat Genetics

Color genetics in Bedlington Terriers involve multiple loci working together. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Key genetic loci include E (controls whether pigment is expressed), A (pattern distribution), K (solid vs. patterned), and B (black vs. brown base). DNA testing allows breeders to predict litter colors accurately.

Rare vs Standard Colors

Among Bedlington Terriers, the standard colors (Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan, Liver and Tan, Sandy and Tan) are most common. With 6 recognized colors, variety exists even within the standard palette. Buyers should be cautious—extremely rare colors can sometimes be associated with health issues or may indicate crossbreeding.

All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Do Bedlington Terrier Colors Change with Age?

Many Bedlington Terrier puppies experience some degree of color change as they mature. Their crisp, curly, linty-textured coat coat undergoes significant textural changes alongside color shifts. Standard colors (Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan, Liver and Tan, Sandy and T) typically stabilize as the puppy coat transitions to the adult coat between 4 and 12 months of age.

Controversial Colors

Some Bedlington Terrier colors marketed as 'rare' or 'exotic' may not be recognized by the breed standard. The standard palette includes Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan, Liver and Tan, Sandy and T. Be wary of breeders who charge premiums well above $2000 for unusual colors, as this may indicate they prioritize appearance over health testing for Copper Toxicosis and other conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard Bedlington Terrier colors include Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Rarity depends on genetics. Non-standard colors may be less common but should not be prioritized over health and temperament. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Yes, many Bedlington Terrier puppies experience color changes between 4 and 12 months as the puppy coat transitions to the adult coat. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate.. The breed's crisp, curly, linty-textured coat coat may show particularly noticeable changes during this transition.

In most cases, coat color does not affect health. However, certain color genes (such as merle or extreme white) can carry health implications in some breeds. All Bedlington puppies are born dark and lighten with age, with the progressive graying gene causing blue dogs to fade from black and liver dogs from chocolate..

Standard colors like Blue, Liver, Sandy, Blue and Tan are the most widely available for Bedlington Terriers. The breed has a well-defined color standard with limited variation. Breed experts consistently advise choosing based on health testing and temperament rather than color preference.