The shaggy-coated Bearded Collie (‘Beardie’ to his buddies) is a noisy and gregarious droving dog from Scotland who enjoys outside exercise in any conditions. They are bred to be autonomous decision-makers and can be stubborn, but they are always friendly. Beardies, which stand 20 to 22 inches at the shoulder and have a shaggy double coat from head to tail, have a passing resemblance to another British favorite, the Old English Sheepdog. Beardies are the more slim and angular of the two beneath their coats. The extravagant facial hair should not hide the signature expression: a dreamy, faraway stare. These boisterous comics might be a handful, but Beardies are usually 50 pounds of heart, energy, and fun. Beardies who have been socialized will get along well with other animals and children. They become bored quickly, therefore training must be kept fresh. Outdoorsy families looking for a strong dog to share their active lifestyle will never find a more devoted and entertaining companion.
Bearded Collie
smart / bouncy / charismatic
Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height
21-22 inches (male)
20-21 inches (female)
Weight
45-55 pounds
Life Expectancy
12-14 years
Breed Traits & Characteristics
About the Breed
What To Expect When Caring For a Bearded Collie
Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.
Health
The Beardie is a robust breed, and prudent breeders evaluate their breeding stock for health issues like hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, autoimmune illnesses, allergies, and eye difficulties. As with all breeds, a Beardie's ears should be cleaned on a regular basis to eliminate foreign matter and prevent wax accumulation, and his teeth should be washed daily.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Thyroid Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Grooming
The Beardie grooming routine is divided into two sections. The first is a daily brushing to eliminate tangles and foreign matter, which should only take five or ten minutes if the dog hasn't gotten into anything messy. The second step is to use a pin rake, brush, comb, and potentially anti-tangle spray once a week to remove dead hair and restore the coat to exquisite condition. This usually takes between a half-hour and an hour. The Beardie's nails, like those of all breeds, should be clipped on a regular basis because extremely long nails can cause pain as well as issues walking and running.
Exercise
The Bearded Collie is an active, exuberant breed that needs plenty of outdoor activity. Beardies, unlike many of their owners, are content to run and play outside regardless of the weather. Every day, they require some form of movement, whether it is ball play, a lengthy walk, run, or trek, or simply playing in a large, fenced-in yard or another area with a buddy, human, or canine. Beardies, being raised to herd sheep, enjoy participating in athletic activities such as herding, rally, agility, and obedience competitions. A Beardie who is busy is a happy Beardie.
Training
Early socialization and puppy training sessions are advised for all dogs. Between the ages of seven weeks and four months, gradually introducing the puppy to a wide range of people, places, and situations will help him mature into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult. Puppy training seminars assist owners learn to spot and avoid certain undesirable behaviors that may be emerging as part of the socialization process. The Beardie, like many other Herding breeds, was bred to work in the field without human supervision. This independent (some would say obstinate) streak can make training difficult, but with patience and lots of goodies, patient owners will eventually win over their Beardies.
Nutrition
The Bearded Collie should thrive on high-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or produced at home with your veterinarian's supervision and consent. Any diet should be tailored to the age of the dog (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to becoming overweight, so keep an eye on your dog's calorie intake and weight level. Treats can be a valuable training aid, but feeding too much can lead to obesity. Discover which human foods are suitable for dogs and which are not. If you have any concerns regarding your dog's weight or diet, consult with your veterinarian. At all times, clean, fresh water should be available.
History
Originally known as the Highland Collie and Mountain Collie, Bearded Collies earned their keep in the Scottish Highlands for generations as rugged herding and droving dogs treasured by shepherds for their ability to work hard in Scotland’s harsh climate and rocky terrain. Beardies were anticipated to assist with cow control at pasture and driving the herd to market.
The origin legends differ. The Beardie was long thought to be an old breed, predating the Roman conquest of Britain in the first century b.c. Beardies are thought to be descended from Central European stock, specifically Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and Komondorok, which were transported to Scotland in the 1500s. No definitive records of the Beardie’s creation have come down to us, as with other breeds used largely by peasants and shepherds in the distant past.
The breed can be seen in paintings from the 1700s, a golden age of British portraiture. Dogs identified as Beardies were included in portraits of well-heeled Scottish clientele by artists like as Reynolds and Gainsborough. This suggests that the modest shepherd’s dog became a fashionable ornament of high society somewhere along the way.
By the early 1800s, the breed’s appearance and attitude had been established. They were popular on the Scottish exhibition circuit in the Victorian era, but the upheavals of World War I destroyed the number of Beardies and other popular breeds. However, you cannot keep a good breed down. Dedicated breeders in Britain regenerated the Beardie population between the two world wars. The very first litter of U.S. Beardies were born in 1967, entered the AKC Stud Book ten years later, and were charter members of the AKC Herding Group, which was created in 1983.