Elevate Your Grooming
full body profile of a white Bedlington Terrier standing on a grooming table station against a wall
The Bedlington Terrier Breed Trim typography
quarter view of a white Bedlington Terrier standing on a grooming table after its session
quarter view of a white Bedlington Terrier standing on a grooming table after its session

by Blake Hernandez

Bedlington Terriers are a rare breed with a hardcore following. Their trims are super unique and often leave those who are not familiar with them wondering if they are looking at a dog or a sheep. The following will outline a breed standard trim for this distinctive and captivating breed.

groomers hand holds the tail up, referencing where the bottom of their reproductive organs begin
groomers hand grasps the base of the terriers tail
the tail is trimmed with scissors, continuing upward to connect the tail into the back of the dog’s roached area
Fig. 1)

After shaving the sanitary, lift the tail to reference where the bottom of their reproductive organs begin.

Fig. 2)

With the tail down, place your thumb at that spot and shave the tail from there to the tip.

Fig. 3)

Scissor from the point where you started clipping, continuing upward to connect the tail into the back of the dog’s roached area.

the groomers hand holds the terriers tail showing the “V” shaped fur left at the top
the groomer holds a length comb guide before trimming the terriers face
Fig. 4)

The fur left at the top of the tail should be in the shape of a “V.”

Fig. 5)

Shave the face with a #30 for a pet or #40 for show from the top corner of the ear to the corner of the eye.

Fig. 6)

The shave work should go down in a “U” shape and include the entire chin.

Fig. 7)

In order to give the dog length of neck and help enhance the roach, take a short guard comb down to where the dog’s shoulder blades meet on the spine.

the groomers hand holds the terrier's head upward showing the “U” shaped shave work including the entire chin
clippers with a short guide comb is used to trim the spine area, between the shoulder blades
Fig. 8)

From underneath the ear to the shoulder blades, use the same short guard comb to create a more narrow and finer front.

Fig. 9)

Before you can scissor the legs, you must first scissor the feet. Bedlingtons have a “hare” foot, which should look longer than your standard, round teddy foot.

the area underneath the ear to the shoulder blades is shaved with the help of a small comb for a guide
the groomers hand holds the terriers right leg showing it's “hare” foot
Fig. 10)

Now you can scissor the legs into parallel lines. Bedlingtons are not to have “sweeping” coat, so be sure to not leave the legs too heavy.

Fig. 11)

Do the same for the back legs, making sure to look at them from all angles.

profile view of the terrier as its left front leg is trimmed
the terrier's left back leg is trimmed
Fig. 12)

When putting a finish on the legs, be very mindful that your elbows are tucked and that you continue to scissor into parallel lines.

Fig. 13)

Now scissor from the “V” on the tail up into the top of the roach with a larger curved scissor.

the terrier's right front leg is trimmed
a larger curved scissor is used to blend the “V” on the tail up into the top of the roach
a larger curved scissor is used to blend the “V” on the tail up into the top of the roach
straight scissor are used to trim the top of the roach
the groomer begins the head trimming, starting at the lip line
Fig. 14)

Once you reach the top of the roach, switch to a straight scissor and create a silhouette going into the dip at the withers.

Fig. 15)

When scissoring the head, start from the lip line with a straight scissor to begin setting the head up with symmetry.

a hand holds the terrier's nose as the other hand scissors in line with the dog’s bone from the eye to the ear
the terrier's profile is trimmed using a curved shear
the neck is smoothed using a straight scissor at a slight tilt
Fig. 16)

Scissor in line with the dog’s bone from the eye to the ear.

Fig. 17)

The profile of the head should have a nice curvature, which can be achieved with a curved shear.

Fig. 18)

Tilt the straight scissor slightly inward to smooth the neck into all the previously done work.

This trim involves lots of freehand scissor work and using your eye to balance, but it can be tons of fun and a real eye-catcher. Bedlingtons are not all that common, but you will surely impress any owner of a purebred when executing such a technical trim.
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