Bearded Collie Breed Information

Bearded Collie Portrait

Bearded Collie on the Beach

History

The Bearded Collie is a herding dog from the Scottish Highlands. The modern day breed is traced back by a bloodline to the end of World War 11 when Mrs. G.O. Willison, owner of the Bothkennar Kennels began to breed them for show purposes and pushed the establishment of the Bearded Collie Club in Britain in 1955. In 1959 the Kennel club in England allowed the dogs to be eligible for Challenge certificates and championships, and the popularity began to grow.

Bearded Collies were brought to the United States in the late 1950s, however none of these dogs were bred. The first litter came in 1967 and by 1969 there was enough interest for the establishment of the Bearded Collie Club of America.

Bearded Collie Portrait
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Physical Attributes

The Bearded Collie is a medium sized dog with a medium length, double coat that hangs straight and follows the natural lines of the body. The outer coat is flat, harsh and strong, while the undercoat is soft, and close to the body. Long and lean, the body is strong without appearing heavy. The head is large and broad with medium sized ears close to the body, wide set eyes and long hair with only the square black nose showing through.

Personality

Affectionately called ‘Beardies’ these dogs are confident and well balanced. Their affectionate nature make them the perfect companion for children. This is an outdoor dog that would not be appropriate for apartment living. They need plenty of exercise and room to run and feel comfortable in windy or rainy weather. Without exercise and mental challenges, they become restless, loud, and uncontrollable. They are very trainable with firm and consistent handling. Obedience training is recommended. They are neither shy or aggressive.

Bearded Collie in the Snow
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Grooming and Health

Daily brushing of the shaggy coat is important. One technique is to lightly mist the coat with water before brushing. If matting starts, tease out the spots before it becomes a serious problem. Many owners have their Beardie professionally groomed once every two months. Eyes, ears and paws should be checked daily and ticks are hard to locate in the dense coat so check regularly. They are an average shedder.