This lovely card is from a set issued by Players & Sons in 1925, called Scenic
Backgrounds. On the back it says: "The Bedlington Terrier, as its name implies,
originated in the village of Bedlington, in Northumberland, and is sometimes
known as "the pitman's Terrier." He is a very game useful Terrier-light-muscle,
wiry, with a bright, alert bearing and demeanour that is indicative of fire and
resolution. His head should be high, narrow, and wedge-shaped, surmounted with
a fine silky tuft usually nearly white in colour, which is a characteristic of
the breed. His colours are dark blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan,
sandy, sandy and tan. Weight: dogs 24 lbs, bitches 22 lbs. Height: at
shoulder 15 to 16 ins."
Bedlington Terrier Card 1(Players Scenic, 1925)... $7.95 each
This headstudy is a reprint of a set of cards from 1940 called "Dogs Heads
(Eire)" issued in 1994. On the back it says: "At first glance the Bedlington.
seems a lamb-like creature, but his appearance belies his toughness and his
origin. He is descended from the sporting terriers of the English and Scottish
border and he owes his development to the efforts of Northumberland breeders,
particularly those about the village of Bedlington. Of the early terriers the
two which seem to have really started the breed on its modern path were Piper
and Phobe, from whose mating about 1825 came the famous dog, Young Piper. It is
thought that Dandie Dinmont Terriers and Bedlingtons sprang from the same stock
and that later Whippets contribued to the Bedlington's evolution."
Bedlington Terrier Card 2(Dogs Heads-Eire,reprint 1994)... SOLD OUT
This is another card from Players & Sons, issued in 1940 from a set called,
"Dogs Heads by Biegel." On the back it says, "A dog similar to the Bedlington
Terrier (which takes its title from a village of that name in Northumberland)
was familiar to the Scottish border country some time before the breed was so
named in 1825. There is much controversy as to the actual origin of the
Bedlington, but knowledgeable opinion leans to the theory that "Rothers"--
.terriers kept by Rothbury Forest gipsies-were deeply involved . The Bedlington
of today differs considerably in appearance and demeanour from the original
Bedlington, which had excellent sporting characteristics. It has a woolly lamb-
like coat, which may be whole coloured blue, liver or sandy, or these colours
combined with tan."
Bedlington Terrier Card 3(Players, 1940)... $7.95 each
This nifty card is from the 1st Series of Dogs put out by "Cofton's Collections
-- Reprint of 1963" in 1988. On the back is the address of the company and a
short ad.
Bedlington Terrier Card 4(Cofton Collections reprint, 1988)... $5.95 each
Once again, a Player's Cigarette card. These smaller cards were designed to be
inserted into packs of 10 cigarettes. This one was released in 1931 as part of
the "Dogs by Wardle -- Full Length." On the back it says, "The Bedlington
Terrier. one of the gamest, most sensible and companionable of all the Terriers,
originated in the mining village of Bedlington, in Northumberland, and is
sometimes known as the "Pitman's Terrier." His head should be high, narrow and
wedge-shaped, surmounted by a characteristic tuft, which is fine and silky, and
usually nearly white in colour. The Bedlington moves with a light, mincing
step, entirely different from the movement of other Terriers. Colours: dark
clue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, sandy and tan. Height about
15-16 in. Weight: dogs about 24 lb., bitches about 22 lb."
Bedlington Terrier Card 5(Players, 1931)... $6.95 each
This attractive card was issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1937 as part of a series
simply called "Dogs." On the back it says, "One of the gamest and most
companionable of all the terriers. Skull narrow, high at peak and covered with
top-knot. Jaw long and sharp, lips close fitting. Eyes small and well sunk.
Nose black in blues and blue in tans, flesh-coloured in livers and sandies.
Ears moderately large, flat to the cheek, thinly covered with silky hair. Legs
straight and square set, feet of good size. Tail thick at root and tapering to
a point, scimitar-shaped. Body of moderate length, flexible and well
proportioned, flat ribbed, not wide in chest. Back slightly arched, well
ribbed; quarters light. Coat hard, with soft undercoat."
Bedlington Terrier Card 6 (Wills, 1937)... $6.95 each
This is not a cigarette card, but a Tea card, issued by Hornimans Tea in their
1/2 lb. packets of tea in 1961. On the back, it says: "Named after the mining
district in Northumberland, originally the friend of miners and gypsies, of the
latter probably because, being fast enough to catch a rabbit and Terrier enough
to kill it, he makes a good poacher! A mixture of Whippet and local Terrier.
A graceful, muscular dog with pear-shaped head and distinctive grey-hound-like
body. Coat is thick and linty, colours blue, liver or sandy; weight
approximately 20 lbs."
Bedlington Terrier Card 7 (Hornimans Tea, 1961)... $5.95 each
This delicate card was issued by Priory Tea in 1957 to be put in their 1/4
pound boxes of Tea. The series was called I-Spy Dogs and you were supposed
to try to spy one of each breed. On the back there is an area where you can
put the place and date of finding the breed and a score to a be added up
for the game. It also says, "Lamb-like in appearance but he has the heart
of a lion. He has a bluish woolly coat."
Bedlington Terrier Card 8 (Priory Tea, 1957)... $5.95 each
This is an actual photograph put out in 1936 by Carreras Ltd. to go in their
packs of 10 cigarettes. The series is called "Dogs & Friend" On the back it says,
"No one can help being struck by a Bedlington's resemblance to a sheep, but
it is supposed to carry a certain amount of Dandie Dinmont look. If it is
to look attractive it needs a certain amount of trimming, which rather
detracts from its popularity as an ordinary pet. It is striking in colour
when it is blue or blue and tan, but its sunken eyes rather detract from
its appearance. On the other hand, it is very wiry and hard, and when it
is stretched at full gallop it has a most beautiful action."
Bedlington Terrier Card 9 (Carreras, 1936)... $5.95 each
This is an actual photo that was issued by Pattreiouex for their Senior Service
Cigarettes in 1939, sixty years ago. On the back it says, "A good all round dog
but, to preserve the odd appearance desired by his owners, needs constant
'dolling up'.
GENERAL HINTS
DISTEMPER (1). Formerly most pups got distemper, nowadays the 'Field' or 'Nill
Hill' inoculations usually prevent it. Have your pup inoculated but be very
careful afterwards; he may get distemper so slightly that you do not notice it
and later catch one of the diseases which follow it, such as pneumonia or
chorea."
Bedlington Terrier Card 10 (Pattreiouex, 1939)... $5.95 each
In 1938, Sinclair issued their "Champion Dogs" series. This is an actual photo
of the Bedlington Terrier from that time. On the back it says:
"CH. BRIGHTSTONE VENTURE
SIRE: Ch. Gardners Supremacy.
DAM: Ch. Esperanza.
BORN: May 2nd, 1933
A finely bred dog, every inch a terrier, has beautiful dark eyes, grand reach of
neck, and perfect shoulders, a typical Bedlington. Venture won every time out
in Breed and Variety Classes and Open Shows this year. Winner of Championship
Certificates at Cruft's, Richmond and Harrogate.
Owned by: Miss G. Lewis, Patcham, Brighton."
Bedlington Terrier Card 11 (Sinclair Champion Dogs, 1938)... SOLD OUT
This card was issued in 1936 for Hignett's Cigarettes. The same
image was used for Ogden Cigarettes about that same time, but I
don't have one. On the back it says,
"The Bedlington was first bred by the pitmen about Bedlington
on Tyneside, who probably used Whippets and the Dandie
Dinmont to give them a game, active dog for ratting and
rabbit catching. It is thought that a Northumbrian sportsman,
Piper Allan, who died in 1774, helped to make the breed, and
that Joseph Ainsley first gave it its present name in 1825.
Although now widely known as a show dog, it is still used for its
original purpose, particularly on Tyneside, and no more
sporting breed exists.
Bedlington Terrier Card 12 (Hignett, 1936)... $19.95 each
This gorgeous old headstudy is from Godfrey Phillips Ltd. in 1939. It is hard to
realize that it is over 60 years old. On the back it says, "This dog is a member
of the Terrier group and is either grey or liver colour. The coat is soft and
curly."
Bedlington Terrier Card 13 (Godfrey Phillips, 1939)... $14.95 each
This unique card was put out in 1970 by the National Geographic World. It is larger than the usual Tobacco Cards. On the back it says, "The Bedlington terrier is a good hunter and a fierce fighter. People in Bedlington,
England, originally bred this dog to hunt badgers, foxes, and other animals that
live in burrows dug in the earth. The name terrier comes from the Latin word
for earth. Unlike most hunting dogs, a terrier follows its prey underground and
digs or pulls it out.
COAT- a curly mixture of stiff and soft hair
COLOR-grayish, brown, or beige, may have tan markings
HEIGHT-15-18 in (38-46cm)
WEIGHT-17-23 lb (8-10kg)
Bedlington Terrier Card 14 (National Geographic World, 1970)... SOLD OUT
It is fun to have something really special for each breed. This card would qualify for the Bedlingtons. It was issued by W.D. & H.O. Wills in 1915 as part of their Second Series. It is 75 years old and very attractive. On the back it says, "This "game" terrier has been known as a distinct British breed for more than a
hundred years. Previous to 1825 it was known as the Rothbury Terrier, and in
that year the name Bedlington was first applied to it by a mason names Aynsley.
It is said that the Bedlington of to-day is taller and heavier than his
ancestors. He is a lightly-made dog of very lively character, and is about 15
or 16 inches high. The average weight is 22 to 24 lbs. The recognised colours
are dark blue, blue and tan, liver, liver and tan, sandy, and sandy and tan.
The Bedlington is a first-class sporting dog and is equally at home on land and
in water. He will kill a rat or any other vermin, draw a badger, work an otter,
or bolt a fox. He is affectionate and faithful, and makes a fine house-dog."
Bedlington Terrier Card 15 (Wills,, 1915)... SOLD OUT
This is a playing card that was part of a set that contained 54 different breeds. The eight of spades is the Bedlington.
Bedlington Terrier Playing Card... SOLD OUT
This is a post card that was printed in Russia in 1987. I don't think that it is an actual post card, since there is not room to write on the back, but seems to be a photo with description of the breed on the back.
Bedlington Terrier Post Card... SOLD OUT
