Bedlington TerrierVSStaffordshire Bull Terrier

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

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier tends to be more playful, scoring 5/5 versus the Bedlington Terrier's 4/5. Expect the Staffordshire Bull Terrier to be more eager for playtime and interactive games.

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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium breed at 36–41 cm (14–16 in) and 11–17 kg (24–37 lbs).

The Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier sports a short coat in red, fawn, white, black, blue, brindle. 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier has high energy (4/5) and high exercise needs (4/5).

You'll need to dedicate more time to exercising the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which thrives on vigorous daily activity. The Bedlington Terrier is less demanding in this regard and settles more easily into a relaxed routine.

The Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The Bedlington Terrier demands more grooming attention with a score of 4/5, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is lower-maintenance at 1/5. 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 $60 for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Factor this into your budget when deciding between the two.

The Bedlington Terrier has a lifespan of 11–16 years, while the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives 12–14 years. The Bedlington Terrier tends to live longer on average.

The Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, cataracts, L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria. Regular vet checkups and health screenings are essential for both breeds.

Annual vet costs average $500 for the Bedlington Terrier and $500 for the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier edges ahead as a family dog, scoring 5/5 with children versus the Bedlington Terrier's 4/5. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier's brave temperament makes it especially patient around kids.

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

The initial purchase price for a Bedlington Terrier ranges from $1,500–$2,500, while a Staffordshire Bull Terrier typically costs $1,000–$2,500. The Bedlington Terrier has a higher upfront cost.

Ongoing annual costs (food, vet, grooming) come to approximately $1,270 for the Bedlington Terrier and $1,040 for the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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.