Bearded Collies are medium-sized dogs that generally stand at a height of 22 inches. They feature long, flowing, straight coats but don’t reach the ground. The Bearded Collie also has large eyes, a broad head, and a low tail. And as their name implies, a Bearded Collie has a beard.
Bearded Collies are often described as enthusiastic dogs with bouncy nature. They are adorable, but if you’re an inexperienced dog owner, they may not be the right breed. These dogs would require someone who is energetic too and can easily cope up with them.
These dogs are best paired with families that love outdoors. And if that happens to be you, then Bearded Collies will surely be your source of laughter and energy.
Bearded Collie Breed Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Herding Group |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Height | 21-22 inches (male); 20-21 inches (female) |
| Weight | 45-55 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
Bearded Collie Breed Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
Bearded Collie History
Bearded Collies are one of the oldest herding breeds. They are believed to have originated from Scotland around the 1500s and were called Highland Collie and Mountain Collie.
These dogs have existed for centuries, but there were no written records about how they came to be. It is believed that the dogs descended from Polish Lowland Sheepdogs brought to Scotland around the 1500s.
The earliest visual records of Bearded Collies were found in 1700 paintings. Famous painters like Reynolds and Gainsborough have included the dogs in many portraits of their Scottish clients. These works somehow indicated that apart from being a shepherd’s dog, the Bearded Collie was also a fashionable member of the high society.
At the end of the Victorian Era, Bearded Collies were popular show and working dogs. However, until that time, there was no breed club nor standard written for the breed. That was until the end of World War II.
G.O. Wilson started the development of modern Bearded Collies. And by 1955, she also founded the Bearded Collie Club in Britain. Four years later, the Kennel Club granted rights to show the dog for Challenge Certificates and Championships, increasing the Bearded Collie’s popularity.
It was in the late 1950s when the dogs first came to the United States, and by 1967 the first litter was born. Two years later, the breed became very popular, and the Bearded Collie Club of America was formed.
It was only in 1977 when the American Kennel Club finally recognized the breed. By 1983, there were moved from the working group to the herding group. And now, they rank 127th as the most popular dog breed in the US.
Bearded Collie Temperament
Bearded Collies are generally smart, lively, and charismatic. They are most well-known for their Beardie Bounce, a bouncy leap that represents their carefree attitude. You can expect these dogs to jump to you unless you train them not to.
Since these are herding dogs, they are athletic and would need a fair amount of exercise outdoors. They enjoy working the most, and as long as you keep them busy, they wouldn’t be a big problem.
These dogs are great playmates for children. They also have a great sense of humor, which will surely make anyone in the family laugh. They get along well with other dogs, too, and can even be too friendly at times.
Bearded Collies are friendly dogs, and they love everyone. They may not make excellent watchdogs as their bark can even be welcoming. Some are timid with strangers, but they’re never aggressive.
Early socialization is needed to make these dogs more well-rounded. It will also help in bringing up their confidence and help them get accustomed to anything new.
They will also require someone confident and firm to provide consistent training. These dogs are independent thinkers and can be stubborn. You may need lots of patience. Positive reinforcements should be effective, so remember not to treat them harshly.
Bearded Collie Care Requirements
- Nutrition: Bearded Collies don’t have any special dietary requirements. What’s most important is that you provide them with high-quality and well-balanced meals. Make sure you have great sources for proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, which are all helpful to your dog’s growth. Make sure to buy high-quality ingredients only. Dog food should be of high-quality too. Check the label and make sure that it doesn’t contain fillers, additives, and by-products. These have low-nutritional content and can cause harm to your dog’s digestion. Fruits and vegetables are great to add to your dog’s diet, as these are good sources of fiber. Plus, there are vitamins your dog can get. Just take note of any ingredients they’re allergic to and stay away from those.
- Grooming: Bearded Collies have long coats that shed seasonally. We recommend two parts of the grooming regimen. First, you would need to brush their hair daily. This will help remove mats, tangles, debris, and excess hair. You can do this for 5-10 minutes (or more if needed). Second is a weekly brushing session that is more thorough than what you do daily. This will help keep their coats in good condition and may take 30 minutes to an hour. Baths can be given regularly, too, depending on how dirty they get. Be sure to clean out their ears to prevent ear infection. Nails should be trimmed regularly as well, so they won’t feel pain and discomfort.
- Exercise: Bearded Collies are energetic, herding dogs. They would need a regular but fair amount of outdoor exercise. Nothing heavy or hard activities required. Daily long walks or running around the backyard should suffice. You can also make them participate in some athletic events such as herding, rally, agility, and obedience competitions. You can even assign him work. Always remember, a busy Bearded Collie is a happy Bearded Collie.
- Health: Bearded Collies are generally happy dogs. But they too are susceptible to several health conditions. As dog owners, it’s essential to be aware of possible health diseases your dog may get. For Bearded Collies, allergies, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, and persistent pupillary membrane are commonly found. It’s essential to give them the right care and nutrition to help prevent some of these. It’s highly recommended to meet at least one of your dog’s parents to be aware of any hereditary conditions your dog may acquire. Taking screening tests will also help in detecting certain conditions early.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of Bearded Collies is 12-14 years.
Famous Bearded Collies
- Shaggy Dog: The Bearded Collie from the film “Shaggy Dog”
Fun Facts about Bearded Collies
- Bearded Collies originated from Scotland in the 16th century.
- They are believed to have descended from Polish Lowland Sheepdogs.
- They were originally called Mountain Collie and Highland Collie.
- They are well-known for their “Beardie Bounce,” which represents their happy personality.
- Their coat comes in several colors: black, brown, fawn, and blue.
- The American Kennel Club recognized them in 1977.
Check Out Other Herding Dog Breeds:
Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Beaucerons, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Bergamasco Sheepdog, Berger Picards, Border Collie, Bouviers des Flandres, Briards, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Collie, Entlebucher Mountain Dogs, Finnish Lapphund, German Shepard, Miniature American Shepherd, Norwegian Buhunds, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Spanish Water Dog, Swedish Vallhunds