The Bearded Collie or ‘Beardie’ is an animated and cheerful working dog breed. It is a medium-sized breed with a shaggy coat, famed for its ‘Beardie bounce’, symbolic of its carefree and playful attitude. Beardies are lean, active dogs with long, shaggy, waterproof outer coats and soft undercoats. It has short hair on its nose, widely spaced intelligent-looking eyes and a long beard. The Beardies can come in a few different colors with or without white markings.
They were primarily bred as herding dogs in the Scottish Highlands. More recently they have found popularity in many countries as a companion dog and family pet. Though they are more popular in the UK and Europe than in the USA, where they ranked 117th most popular out of 175 dog breeds in the AKC’s yearly ranking in 2016. Since then, they have slipped to 154th out of 200 breeds in 2023.
With a great temperament and loving nature, it is certainly not their personality putting Americans off. They do have high maintenance needs with their long shaggy coat, and as energetic dogs they need lots of exercise too, which might go some way to explain these stats.
The Bearded Collie is a member of the herding dog breeds group with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Kennel Club (KC) in the UK, and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
History Of The Bearded Collie
Originating in the Scottish Highlands, the Bearded Collie has a long working history dating back centuries. Primarily used for herding sheep and cattle in the rural, rugged hills. The breed was central to the development of other collie breeds, valued for their intelligence, agility and strength. Despite its functional origins, the Bearded Collie also gained popularity in dog shows and as a family pet, charming people with its playful spirit.
The breed almost disappeared in the early 1900’s but had a resurgence in the later half of the 20th century. This followed exceptional performances at prestigious shows, such as Crufts and fame found across film and culture.
Breed Origin
The Bearded Collie, was developed in Scotland as a herding dog, but its origins started further afield in Eastern Europe. It is believed that the breed claims ancestry with the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, which was brought to Scotland in the 16th Century. In one story they were abandoned on the shores by Polish merchants, and in another they were traded for sheep with Polish grain traders in 1514. In either case, the Polish dogs were so impressive that they were used to breed with local Scottish herding dogs to produce the resilient and hardy Bearded Collie that we know today.
The modern show standard for the breed would not be established until the 1940’s. There are only a handful of registrable blood lines for the breed, but there are plenty of unregistered Bearded Collies in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands and Western Isles.
Quick Facts
- Energetic and Hardy – The Bearded Collie is suited to active environments and is known for its stamina and resilience. Characteristics that were essential for its original role as a herding dog.
- Playful and Affectionate – Beardies are known for retaining their playful, puppy-like demeanor well into adulthood. They are a bouncy dog that won’t be ignored, and a joyful addition to any home.
- Highly Intelligent and Independent – This breed is smart and quick to learn but can have an independent streak, particularly if they feel ignored, bored or frustrated. As a herding dog, they are decision makers and working things out themselves is in their nature. Consistent training a must.
- Extremely Sociable – With a sociable nature, Bearded Collies do best in environments where they can interact frequently with people and other animals.
Characteristics Of The Bearded Collie
Often going by the nickname ‘Beardie,’ this breed has also had a few different names over its history. You might hear them called the Mountain Collie, or the Hairy Mou’ed Collie, but these are mostly regional names, not as widely used as the more popular Bearded Collie name. Beyond this, there’s no significant confusion with other breeds or common mix-ups regarding their name.
Bearded Collie puppies are typically born in litters of 4 to 8. The first crucial weeks, as with all breeds, should be spent with their mother and littermates, learning important social and hierarchical behaviors. They are ready for adoption at around 8 weeks of age.
The cost of a Bearded Collie puppy from a reputable breeder can range from $1200 to $2000 in the USA or between £400 to £500 or more. A pup with a good pedigree and health screening certificates will influence price, but is advisable for any potential owners.
Appearance
Bearded Collies are medium-sized dogs with a lean yet sturdy build underneath all that fur. Standing about 20-22 inches at the shoulder (withers), and with a healthy weight usually between 40 to 60 pounds. Males tend to be slightly larger than the female but only by an inch or so.
They have a distinctive warm and shaggy coat, that covers their face and eyes. The long coat giving them a wise and friendly appearance. Their body is slightly longer than it is tall, contributing to their agile and energetic gait. Their coat can make them look heavy and cumbersome but they are quite the contrary.
To watch them in action herding sheep is quite a sight, and a role they take on with exceptional skill. Their razor sharp focus at work is a clear contrast to their otherwise playful and bounding nature.
| Male | Female | |
| Height | 53 – 56 cm (21 – 22 in) | 51 – 56 cm (20 – 22 in) |
| Weight | 18 – 25 kg (40 – 55 lbs) | 20 – 27 kg (45 – 60 lb) |
Coat
The coat of a Bearded Collie is perhaps its most distinctive feature—long, dense, and weather-resistant, providing protection against the harsh Scottish climate. It needs very regular maintenance to prevent tangling and matting though.
Color
Typically, Beardies can come in several colors, including black, blue, brown, or fawn, with or without white or tan markings. These are the four breed standard colours. The variety in their coloring and marking often adds to their distinctive appearance, with each dog having a unique pattern.
Temperament
Bearded Collies are known for their bouncy and enthusiastic personality. They are very energetic and sociable, with lots of affection for their families. Their friendly disposition makes them excellent companions for active families, but they are high maintenance dogs, not well suited to owners that are out working all day.
These collies need constructive activities such as herding, hiking, jogging, biking or watching over other pets to stop them from getting bored. If these dogs don’t get lots of attention and exercise, they start to dig holes, chew things and otherwise get into trouble.
Despite their success as show dogs, Beardies have not lost their herding instinct and will keep trying to herd their ‘family’ and other pets. Male collies are more outgoing while female collies seem to be calmer. Early training is an absolute must to promote good behaviour and keep their herding nature in check.
Lifespan
The typical lifespan of a Bearded Collie is around 12 to 14 years. With proper care and a healthy lifestyle, they can be lively family members for many years. According to a UK study carried out in 2024, on the longevity of companion dog breeds, they have an average lifespan of 13.9 years, which is above average when compared to both purebreed and crossbreed dogs.
Known Health Issues
Bearded Collies are generally healthy, but as with all breeds, they are susceptible to certain genetic conditions. Paricular issues to look out for with this breed include:
Hip Dysplasia – This condition involves an improperly formed hip joint, which can lead to pain, arthritis, and mobility issues. It’s caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- Treatment: Management options include anti-inflammatory medications, weight management, physical therapy, and potentially surgery for severe cases.
Addison’s Disease – Also known as hypoadrenocorticism, this disease affects the adrenal glands, leading to insufficient production of adrenal hormones that are crucial for normal physiological functioning. It is an inherited disease in Bearded Collies, though it is not fully understood how.
- Treatment: It requires lifelong replacement of these hormones through medication.
Cataracts – This eye condition results in a cloudy film forming on the lens, obstructing vision, and can progress to blindness if untreated. Cataracts are particularly concerning in older dogs but can appear at any age due to genetic factors.
- Treatment: Surgical removal of the cataract is a common and effective solution to restore vision.
Corneal Dystrophy – This group of diseases affects the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye, leading to opacities that can impair vision. These changes are typically inherited and can vary in impact from slight visual obstruction to significant vision loss.
- Treatment: Treatment varies based on the specific type and severity of the dystrophy but may include surgical intervention or medication to manage symptoms.
Prospective buyers should ask for the breeding parents Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) test results for hip dysplasia (or regional equivalent) and also the Canine Eye Registry (CERF) recent ophthalmologists report for eye disorders.
Daily Life
Now we know a bit about the breeds characteristics, what is the daily routine and life with a Bearded Collie actually like? Let’s explore.
Food and Diet
Bearded Collies do best with a balanced diet tailored to their needs as a medium-sized, highly active breed. They typically thrive on high-quality dry kibble that is rich in protein and healthy fats to support their energy requirements. The amount of food depends on their age, weight, and activity level, but generally, an adult Bearded Collie should consume about 2-3 cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals.
For puppies, who are more active and still growing, the frequency of meals should be higher, typically three to four times a day, with portions adjusted accordingly to prevent overfeeding. Monitoring their weight and body condition is crucial since Beardies can gain weight if their diet isn’t managed properly, especially if they aren’t getting enough exercise.
Exercise
Beardies are definitely not apartment dogs and need a fair amount of exercise and lots of attention to keep them from getting bored. These collies, with their waterproof coats, love to play outside even in wet weather and then bring the water and dirt into the house.
They love long walks, play sessions, and mental stimulation. If not kept as working dogs, their herding instincts can be channelled into activities like agility training, which keeps them physically and mentally sharp. However you keep them entertained, they will need a moderate amount – at least an hour or so – of good exercise every day, rain or shine. You might not like the ‘rain’ part, but they love a walk whatever the weather.
Family Compatability
Bearded Collies make excellent family pets with their playful nature and desire to bond with all members of the household. They are particularly good with children, often protective and gentle, but they do have strong herding instincts which they may try to use on the family. They are also very bouncy dogs that love the sound of their own voice, which may be a bit much for young kids, especially infants that need lots of sleep.
They are most suited to active families, away from cities and urban areas, with plenty of space to be active and explore.
Training
Training should begin early for Bearded Collies, as they are quick learners but can be stubborn and strong willed. Positive reinforcement techniques work best, and it’s important to keep training sessions engaging and consistent to keep up with their intelligence.
Training works best when using praise and food rewards, but you have to be patient. You will also need a sense of humour when this intelligent and mischievous breed thinks up ways to thwart what you are trying to teach. Novice dog owners seem to do fine with this breed as long as they are prepared to make a commitment to grooming and affectionate wet-dog greetings. There are easier dogs to train for sure, but these are intelligent and lovable rouges indeed.
Socializing
Early socialization from a young age is so important for Bearded Collies to develop into well-adjusted adults. Exposure to various people, environments, and other animals helps them develop their naturally friendly, outgoing personalities. Puppy clubs are also great to help young pups learn important social skills.
They need to learn what is normal social behaviour for their household which may go against their natural, instinctive herding nature. Your friends might take offence if your dog is constantly trying to herd them out of the front door, so put the effort it early, it’s worth it.
Grooming
As I’ve mentioned before, the Bearded Collie’s long shaggy coat requires brushing every day. Their coat seems to knot or mat easily and these tangles must be teased out. Some owners prefer to have their dog’s coat professionally clipped every couple of months. The dense undercoat should be checked for ticks on a regular basis.
Even less active pets will need a quick daily to get rid of tangles, but they need a deeper brush at least once per week to remove any matting and dead hair. They are a moderate to heavy shedding dog, and coat care is critical to keep them comfortable and looking their best.
They should be bathed as needed, which may be more frequently for working dogs, where the coat can get a bit smelly. A close eye should also be kept on their nails to clip before they get too long, as this can be quite uncomfortable for a dog and lead to further problems.
Breed Traits
| Positive Traits | Negative Traits |
| Abundantly joyful and bouncy | Very energetic |
| Intelligent and crafty | High maintenance grooming |
| Great working dog | Can be strong willed and stubborn |
| Very attractive and charming | Not suited to apartments and city life |
Breed FAQs
Is a Bearded Collie a good family dog?
They are friendly and loyal family dogs, great with children and abundantly playful. They can also be protective of their family and have a strong herding instinct, but with good training they can make an excellent family dog.
Are Bearded Collies high maintenance?
In a word, yes. They are very active dogs, and with a working and herding background they are constantly looking for something to do. They also need lots of grooming and maintenance to keep their coat in good condition. But boy, are they a beautiful and loving dog.
Summary
The Bearded Collie is a charming and energetic breed. They are keenly intelligent, with a unique and charming playfulness and abundantly affectionate nature. They do require very regular exercise and grooming, an assertive and respected leader to keep them active and their behavior in line. A novice may find an easier breed to start with, but with the right attitude and attention they make rewarding companions and loving family members.