Bedlington TerrierVSGlen of Imaal Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is known for being gentle, spirited, charming, while the Glen of Imaal Terrier is typically described as brave, gentle, patient. These distinct personality traits mean each breed offers a different kind of companionship.

When it comes to playfulness, the Bedlington Terrier has the edge with a 4/5 rating compared to the Glen of Imaal Terrier's 3/5. If you're looking for a dog that's always ready for a game of fetch, the Bedlington Terrier is your pick.

The Bedlington Terrier is a medium breed standing 38–44 cm (15–17 in) tall and weighing 8–10 kg (18–22 lbs). In comparison, the Glen of Imaal Terrier is a medium breed at 30–36 cm (12–14 in) and 14–18 kg (31–40 lbs).

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is somewhat larger, though the difference isn't dramatic. Both breeds are manageable for most owners, but the size gap does affect food portions and space requirements.

The Bedlington Terrier has a curly coat available in blue, liver, sandy, blue and tan, liver and tan, while the Glen of Imaal Terrier sports a wiry coat in wheaten, blue brindle, blue. Coat type significantly impacts grooming needs and shedding, which we cover below.

The Bedlington Terrier has moderate energy (3/5) with moderate exercise needs (3/5). The Glen of Imaal Terrier has moderate energy (3/5) and moderate exercise needs (3/5).

Both breeds have similar exercise requirements, so your daily activity routine won't change much regardless of which you choose. Plan for regular walks and play sessions to keep either breed content.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier sheds more than the Bedlington Terrier — 2/5 versus 1/5. You'll want to invest in a good lint roller and vacuum if you go with the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

The Bedlington Terrier demands more grooming attention with a score of 4/5, while the Glen of Imaal Terrier is lower-maintenance at 3/5. The Bedlington Terrier's curly coat requires regular brushing and professional grooming sessions, adding to the overall cost of ownership.

Annual grooming costs average around $350 for the Bedlington Terrier and $200 for the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Bedlington Terrier has a lifespan of 11–16 years, while the Glen of Imaal Terrier lives 10–15 years. The Bedlington Terrier tends to live longer on average.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is generally the healthier breed, scoring 4/5 for health robustness versus the Bedlington Terrier's 3/5. This often translates to fewer vet visits and lower medical costs.

Common health issues for the Bedlington Terrier include copper toxicosis, patellar luxation, retinal dysplasia, renal cortical hypoplasia. The Glen of Imaal Terrier is prone to progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cone-rod dystrophy. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $500 for the Bedlington Terrier and $500 for the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Pet insurance is worth considering for either breed.

The Bedlington Terrier is easier to train with a trainability score of 4/5, making it more suitable for first-time dog owners. The Glen of Imaal Terrier scores 3/5 and may require more patience and experience during training sessions.

Both breeds match in intelligence at 4/5, so expect similar learning speeds and mental stimulation needs from either choice.

Regardless of which breed you choose, early socialization and consistent positive reinforcement training are key to raising a well-behaved dog. Puppy classes are a great investment for either breed.

Both the Bedlington Terrier and Glen of Imaal Terrier score 4/5 for intelligence, putting them on equal footing mentally. They'll learn commands at similar speeds and need comparable amounts of mental stimulation to stay happy and well-behaved.

These breeds excel in different types of intelligence. The Bedlington Terrier leans toward adaptive intelligence — reading human emotions, adapting to new environments, and solving unfamiliar problems. The Glen of Imaal Terrier, on the other hand, shows strong instinctive intelligence — excelling at breed-specific tasks through natural instinct rather than learned behavior.

For either breed, mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, scent work, and interactive toys keep intelligent dogs engaged and prevent the boredom that leads to chewing, digging, or excessive barking.

Both breeds score 4/5 with children, making them equally suitable for families. Either breed can be a wonderful addition to a household with kids.

If you have other pets, the Bedlington Terrier tends to get along better with other dogs (3/5) than the Glen of Imaal Terrier (2/5). Proper introductions are still important, but the Bedlington Terrier is naturally more sociable with canine companions.

The Bedlington Terrier is more welcoming to strangers (4/5), while the Glen of Imaal Terrier tends to be more reserved (3/5). If you frequently have guests, the Bedlington Terrier's sociable nature will make entertaining easier.

The initial purchase price for a Bedlington Terrier ranges from $1,500–$2,500, while a Glen of Imaal Terrier typically costs $1,500–$2,500. Both breeds have similar purchase prices.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,270 for the Bedlington Terrier and $1,180 for the Glen of Imaal Terrier. The Bedlington Terrier is more expensive to maintain year over year, mainly due to grooming expenses.

Monthly food costs run about $35 for the Bedlington Terrier and $40 for the Glen of Imaal Terrier. Over a typical lifespan, the total cost of ownership can differ by thousands of dollars, so it's worth factoring in the long-term financial commitment.