Originating from Scotland, Bearded Collie was used to herding cattle and sheep regardless of the terrain or weather. They make excellent working sheepdogs, family pets, and show dogs. Sheep farmers were the first ones to breed this breed. You can easily identify a Bearded Collie in a crowd of dogs by looking at its long, straight coat. Keep reading to learn some amazing facts about this breed.
| Breed Name | Bearded Collie |
| Other Name | Highland Collie |
| Dog Breed Type | Herding Dogs |
| Origin | Scotland |
| Parent Breeds | None |
| Height | 20-22 inches |
| Weight | 45-55 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12-14 years |
| Coat Type | Long and Straight |
| Common Colors | Chocolate, Grey, White |
| Grooming Needs | High grooming needs |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Temperament | Lively, Playful, Quick-witted, Spunky |
| Apartment Living | Not suitable for apartment living |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes |
| Health Concerns | Colonic disease, Epilepsy, Hypoadrenocorticism, Canine hip dysplasia (CHD), Pemphigus |
| Overall Health | Healthy |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Trainability | Medium |
| Energy Level | Medium |
| Activity | Active |
| Litter Size | 4-12 puppies |
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability 3 stars
Adaptive to apartment living 3 stars
Suitable for new owners 4 stars
Sensitivity scale 4 stars
Comfortable being alone 2 stars
Comfortable with cold weather 4 stars
Comfortable with hot weather 3 stars
All about friendliness 5 stars
Lovable around family 5 stars
Kid-friendly 4 stars
Dog-friendly 5 stars
Frank around strangers 4 stars
Grooming and Health Requirements 3 stars
Shedding quantity 4 stars
Drooling capacity 1 star
Effortless to groom 2 stars
Overall health 3 stars
Capable of weight gain 4 stars
Size 3 stars
Trainability 4 stars
Effortless to train 5 stars
Smartness 4 stars
Capable of biting 3 stars
Tendency to attack prey 3 stars
Urge to howl or bark 3 stars
Wanderlust nature 5 stars
Physical Requirements 4 stars
Energy range 4 stars
Intensity 4 stars
Exercise Requirements 4 stars
Playful Personality 5 stars
Vital Statistics
DOG BREED GROUP: HERDING BREED DOGS
HEIGHT: 20-22 INCHES
WEIGHT: 45-55 POUNDS
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12-14 YEARS
Highlights
Bearded Collie loves freedom, and if you lock it inside the house, it can lead to useless barking in the future. They need to be kept in fenced yards to play and train them. They have headstrong personalities, to early obedience training can help. These dogs bark when they see someone coming to you, but they don’t have a history as guard dogs. They will try to escape if they feel bored.
They live a long life of 12 to 14 years, so this dog is going to be your companion for a long time. They also bark when they feel excitement or happiness. It looks cute when they are puppies but needs to be controlled.
History
Bearded Collies are known to be in existence for a long time. They also go by the names Hairy Mou’ed Collie, i.e., the Mountain Collie. Sheep farmers bred them for herding, so there’s no exact record of their history. It’s said in the 1500s and a Polish Merchant traded Polish Lowland Merchant Dogs during his visit to Scotland. These dogs’ breeding must be done with local sheepdogs to produce the Bearded Collie.
Their role is of farm dogs from the beginning, and it’s still the same. They do something interesting called “beardie bounce.” This is done to spot their stock while herding undercover. Bearded collies have also acted in several movies and Disney shows, and you might spot them as well from now on. Their working abilities made their survival possible, shepherds. G.O. Willson should be credited for the development of the modern version of this breed. After world war II, she started their breeding show ring.
This breed’s entry into the U.S. was made during the late 1950s, but they weren’t bred. In 1967, the first litter of this breed was born. By 1969, Bearded Collie gained enough popularity that led to the formation of the Bearded Collie Club.
Size
Bearded Collies are considered medium-sized breeds that grow between 20 to 22 inches. Their long fur can give the impression of a long height sometimes. Their size also depends on several factors, including diet and environment.
Personality
Bearded Collies are resourceful, confident, and very intelligent dogs. Everyone loves to be around them because of their bubbly and funny personality. Their easy-going nature might make you think it’s effortless to train them. Their independent thinking gets in the way of training them. As puppies, they want everyone to hold them and play with them. Their curiosity helps in training them.
At home, a Bearded Collie will be found where something is going on. He will be willing to be with you every time, whether you are cooking in the kitchen or relaxing on the couch. They are very affectionate dogs. They want to spread love and expect the same in return. They are sensitive, so any harsh behavior can hurt their feelings. Don’t confuse their barking with their guarding instincts. They might bark when they hear the doorbell but instantly bond with the stranger standing out there.
Health
All dog breeds are generally healthy, but they might get one or another disease later in their life. Chances of getting ill are with every dog breed, and the same applies to Bearded Collie. Here are some health problems that a Bearded Collie might face in their lifetime.
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
- Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM)
- Hip Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Care
Bearded Collies love to be indoors as much as they love to be outdoors. They just want to be with their loved ones, whether they are inside or outside the house. They might not be a good fit for apartment owners because of their big size. A big fenced backyard will be great for their playing sessions. You need to take care of their dental hygiene, too, by brushing their teeth twice or thrice a week to get rid of tartar buildup. To get rid of bad breath and gum diseases, daily brushing will be beneficial. When you start hearing a clicking sound when they walk, consider it’s time to trim their nails.
Feeding and Diet
High-quality dog food served in amounts of 1.5 cups to 2 cups separated into two meals should be given in a day. Protein-rich diets are the best food option for them, but other nutrients are required too. Each dog has different nutrient requirements depending on their size, age, exercise, and environment. When overfed, these dogs can get obese, and obesity is not good for anyone, even dogs. It’s normal to get confused regarding your dog’s dietary requirements, so taking your vet’s advice will be great.
Coat color and Grooming
Bearded Collies’ breeding was done keeping in mind the harsh climatic conditions of Scotland. They have two layers of coat- a shaggy, harsh, flat, and strong outer coat and a fluffy undercoat. The common coat colors are blue, fawn, black, or brown. The shades of the colors can lighten or darken as they grow. Their double coat is very long, making their grooming needs high. Use a pin brush or bristle for weekly brushing of their coat. A conditioning spray before brushing will help to reduce breakage and static. Proper brushing means half an hour to an hour of work.
Children and Other Pets
Bearded Collies are the perfect friends for your kid to play with. Their energetic, bouncy, and amusing personality will keep the children in your house engaged. It’s always advised to train your dog as well as kids how to behave with each other. Talking about other pets, these breeds bond well with them also. They might get a little possessive of their toys while playing. These dogs love to chase anyone or anything.
Shedding
Bearded Collies have long coats that naturally part on each side. They have double coats, and that means more shedding. They are heavy shedders, and their shedding lasts between two to four weeks once a year. Increase brushing during this time of the year to get rid of loose hair. As these dogs mature, their puppy coat will come out, too, and grow into adult coats. Brushing twice or thrice a week during this time will help them remove the coat.
Male vs. Female Attitude
How a dog’s attitude will turn out to be doesn’t depend on their gender. A male or female Bearded Collie’s attitude will largely depend on its age, environment, size, and dietary needs. Overall, they are friendly, witty, energetic, and full of love.
Exercise
Bearded Collies are filled with energy when they are outdoors. They love to chase, so use this in your exercise sessions to keep them engaged. When indoors, they love to be in action, so giving them a ball to play around will be good. Long walks with them make them happy, and this is a form of exercise too.
Little known facts
Bearded Collies are known as one of the ancient breeds of Britain.
FAQ on breed
- Where do the Bearded Collie dog breeds come from?
Scotland
- What is the best diet routine for a Bearded Collie dog?
1.5 to 2 cups of dog food
- How much exercise is required for a Bearded Collie?
Half an hour