Bearded Collie Purebred
Dog Breed Information

The Beardie was developed in 17th and 18th century England and Scotland and is believed to be one of the oldest herding dog breeds in that area. Originally bred for herding and cattle droving, his beautiful weather resistant coat enables him to easily withstand harsh, wet climates.

He is a stable and self-confident animal, showing no signs of shyness or aggression. Obedience training is highly suggested as Beardies do think a lot and can be headstrong at times. These dogs are typically 40-55 pounds and 21-22 inches tall at the shoulder.

Beardies need regular grooming to keep their coats free of tangles and at least one to two hours of exercise each week to keep them fit.

Daily brushing and combing as well as regular bathing are a necessity for this dog breed. His coat can be kept in a shorter clip for easier maintenance. His coat may be black or blue-gray with or without white, or it may be fawn or brown, both with or without white.

The color of the Beardie's coat changes several times over the life of the dog. Their long, shaggy coat that mats easily and absorbs odors as well.

See a Beardie in action

A natural herder, this beautiful dog is a devoted pet who is very friendly, playful and good with children. Keep in mind however, though reliable with children, these dogs like to chase children and nip at their heels.

Keep in mind, this dog breed needs plenty of exercise. He can easily excel at competition obedience, agility work, and herding. The Beardie is a dog breed that prefers to be outdoors. They are not recommended for apartment life. Time to train, exercise, socialize, and groom the Bearded Collie is also very important. Beardies can sleep outdoors and make excellent working farm dogs. Natural herders, they are bred to work long hours and to think for himself how best to get their job done. Beardies are very intelligent dogs, and are very quick to learn as long as the teaching is fun, consistent, and fair but keep in mind that enough time to train, exercise, socialize, and groom the Bearded Collie is a very, very important part of ownership. The Beardie, like many other herding breeds, has a tendency to chase moving objects such as cars, bikes, and joggers. By nature they love to have something to watch over and may take charge from instinct and start herding whatever they consider to be their flock. Due to their athletic abilities, they excel at competition obedience, agility work, and herding. Above all, the Bearded Collie is a family dog who loves children and they are the perfect companion for children. The owner of a Bearded Collie should be a consistent leader who wants an enthusiastic, friendly family dog that can excel in all sorts of work. A house with a fenced yard is really important.

Country of origin:Scotland
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Colors: Coats change color several times from puppyhood through adulthood; white with black, blue, fawn or brown
Known health problems: Eye problems, autoimmune disorders such as Addison's, hip dysplasia, allergies
Famous Beardies: "Potterdale Classic at Moonhill", winning Best in Show at Crufts in 1989; main character (Tim Allen), in the The Shaggy Dog Movie (2006)

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