# Bearded Collie

Also known as: Beardie, Highland Collie, Hairy Mountain Dog
- **Group:** Herding (FCI group 1)
- **Size:** Medium
- **Origin:** Scotland
- **Height:** 51–56 cm
- **Weight:** 18–27 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 12–14 years
- **Temperament:** Lively, Intelligent, Friendly, Hardy, Playful
- **FCI standard:** No. 271

The Bearded Collie is a shaggy, bouncy Scottish herding dog with a flowing double coat and an irrepressible zest for life. It is now mainly a family companion and sports dog.

## Overview

The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized, long-coated herding dog from Scotland, once used by shepherds to move sheep and cattle across rough hill country. Its tousled coat and cheerful expression make it instantly recognisable.

Today most Beardies are family pets, but they keep a lot of working energy and need an active home.

## History

Stories link the Beardie to Polish sheepdogs brought to Scotland in the 1500s and crossed with local herding dogs, though this is legend rather than proven. An 1891 book describes a rough, doormat-coated dog much like today's.

The modern show breed is traced to the 1940s and the dogs of Mrs Olive Willison. Popularity grew in the later 20th century, helped by a Crufts Best in Show win in 1989. Some working Beardies in Scotland remain outside the registers, and the breed is listed as a vulnerable native breed in Britain.

## Appearance

This is a lean, longer-than-tall dog with a square head, medium drooping ears and a low-carried tail. It moves with a smooth, ground-covering stride. Males are 53 to 56 cm and females slightly smaller.

The double coat has a soft undercoat and a flat, harsh, shaggy outer coat. Colours are black, blue, brown and fawn, with or without white markings and slight tan points.

## Temperament

Beardies are bright, outgoing and very affectionate, and they greet life with bounce. They are clever and willing but can be exuberant and easily bored.

They generally enjoy children and other dogs, though their herding instinct may lead them to nudge or round up people. They like being involved in family life.

## Care and exercise

Plan on vigorous daily exercise, such as long walks, play sessions and a garden to roam. They shine in agility, obedience, flyball and herding.

The coat needs thorough brushing at least weekly to prevent mats, and more during moulting. Pet dogs can be clipped short for easier care, although this changes the typical look.

## Health

A UK study found an average life expectancy of about 14 years. Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) is more frequent than in dogs generally. Skin, eye and joint conditions, including cataract and progressive retinal atrophy, are also reported.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 4
- Exercise needs: 4
- Grooming: 4
- Shedding: 3
- Trainability: 4
- Barking: 3
- Good with children: 4
- Good with other dogs: 4

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/bearded-collie
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearded_Collie · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37619
Photo: Unknown author (CC BY-SA 3.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bearded_Collie_600.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.