General Information

Dog NameBearded Collie
Other NamesMountain Collie
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeHerding
GroupHerding
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginUnited Kingdom (UK)

Physical And Size

Min Life Span12
Max Life Span15
Min Ideal Weight for male20
Max Ideal Weight for male22
Min Ideal Weight for female18
Max Ideal Weight for male22

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentCharismatic, Smart, Hardy
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyHigh
Child FriendlyHigh
Cat FriendlyMedium
Apartment FriendlyMedium
Senior Citizens FriendlyMedium
Service DogMedium
Search and Rescue DogMedium
Biting PotentialMedium
Country of OriginScotland
Nicknames and Other NamesMountain Collie, Highland Collie, Hairy
Mou’ed Collie, Beardie, Argle Bargle
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeHerding
GroupHerding
Bred ForHerding livestock
SizeMedium-sized
Recognized ByAKC, UKC, CKC, FCI, NZKC, ANKC, KC (UK)
Life Span12-14 years
Ideal Weight40-55 pounds
Ideal HeightMale: 21-22 inches
Female: 20-21 inches 21-22
Fur TypeDouble coat, long
Common ColorsBlack, Fawn, Brown, Blue
MarkingsWhite, Tan, Fawn, Black
AvailabilityRare
AchievementsWinning Best in Show at 2017 AKC
dog show
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar ToSchapendoes

Bearded Collie is a breed of dog originally bred for herding purpose in Scotland. They function today as an excellent companion for family, show dogs and herding dogs.

They are well suited to be competing in obedience, rally, agility, and other dog sports because of their energy and quickness.

Origin and History

The Bearded Collie breed dog was originated in the country of Scotland. They are one of the oldest herding breeds, which are thought to be slanted form Polish Lowland sheepdogs left in Scotland in the 1500s. These dogs then were crossed with the local herding dogs to produce the herding dogs of the British Isles.

Bearded Collie has been all-around farm dogs from the beginning, working livestock and guarding with a carrying alarm bark. They will do the characteristic “beardie bounce” by leaping high to spot their stock while working in deep cover.

Are they Child Friendly?

The Bearded Collie breed dogs are usually good with children as well as other pet and can be friendly to a fault. They admire working and do very well in competing in most of the dog sports including herding and agility.

Despite the strong temperament, the bearded collie does not show much aggression. It is a lively, loyal and playful dog. It is very good with kids. Your kids can play all day long with this buddy. Don’t leave them unsupervised though.

Behavior, Temperament and Personality

The Bearded Collie is a wonderful family dog; active, outgoing and affectionate. He is hardy and energetic with the agility and intelligence of a herding breed.

A Bearded Collie is usually never shy or aggressive but is a sensible and stable personality. This loving breed is famous for the “Beardie Bounce” – a bouncing yo-yo leap that represents his happy, carefree attitude about the world.

A happy Bearded Collie. Image Source: ZooPlus

Bearded Collie is very sociable dogs who can become unhappy and destructive if you leave them for long periods of time without any companion in the house.

They require lots of socialization to develop the buoyant temperament. This independent thinker can be stubborn, so you’ll have to be very careful with them.

Trainability of Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie dog has the capacity to be an extremely obedient dog or a complete oppressor. He can pose some challenges, but you should train him with obedience classes.

A Bearded Collie being trained to herd sheep.

While he is eager to learn, he also has a bit of a stubborn and independent streak. Be sure to use positive reinforcement while training in order to motivate him.

Facts About The Bearded Collie

Here are some of the facts about the Bearded Collie:

  • Bearded Collie has short and strong legs with well-padded, large feet.
  • It is a very lively and cheerful breed.
  • This Collie is an excellent companion for children.
  • This dog is good at socializing.
  • It was originally bred for herding purpose in Scotland.

Common Health Issues found in Bearded Collie Dog Breed

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesAllergies, Cancer, Eye DIseases,
Hip Dysplasia,
Hypothyroidism, Arthritis
HypoallergenicNo
Vaccination RequiredCanine Parainfluenza, Rabies,
Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus,
Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough,
Canine Coronavirus
SheddingAbove average
DroolingLow
GroomingRegular, heavy grooming
Weight Gain PotentialAverage to High
Separation AnxietyModerate Chance
AllergiesSkin allergies
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 20%-23%
Carbohydrate: 5%
Fat: 5%-8%
Gulcosmine
Probiotics

The Bearded Collie lives a life of about 14-15 years and during this lifetime, he suffers from various diseases. As a caring owner, you should know about them.

The only orthopedic disease that occurs regularly in your Bearded Collie is hip dysplasia, which causes pain and lameness requires expensive surgery. The most common eye disease he may suffer is cataracts at 2-5 years old.

Autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis, Addison’s disease, colitis are a concern, as also are epilepsy and heart disease. Allergies and ear infections cause itchy skin which is somehow common in Bearded Collies.

Color Patterns

A bearded collie in nature.

The bearded collie can be seen in various colors. They are –

  • Black,
  • Fawn,
  • Blue,
  • Black & Brown

You can choose any color you like from the color options available. The choice is yours!

Puppies

If you are willing to own a bearded collie pup as your new family member, it is very important to keep your garden and home puppy-proofed well before the arrival of the little guest.

Cute little bearded collie puppies. Image Source: Pinterest

The average cost of a little bearded collie puppy is $1500 to $2000 depending on the type of breeder. Be careful how much you pay.

Which Dogs are they similar to?

Some of the breeds that are similar to the breed of Bearded Collie are as follows:

Visit Doglime for more dog breed information.

Tags