Some may recognize this breed’s hilariously distinctive appearance from the 2006 film The Shaggy Dog. But this old-time breed has a history that spans far beyond Hollywood. From moving sheep along the Scottish Moors in the 1700s to excelling in modern-day agility trials, this versatile breed is truly a marvel. Bearded Collies are known for their strong herding instinct, rambunctious personalities, friendly nature, and athleticism. Prospective Beardie owners should be armed with a brush and comb!
1. No One Knows Where These Dogs Originated
Draped under a curtain of long, straight fur, the history of the Bearded Collie is a bit obscured. Today’s breed enthusiasts don’t exactly know how these dogs came into existence, but traces of the breed reach back many centuries. Bearded Collies are thought to be somewhat of a “naturally occurring” breed, meaning that these dogs were around before the days of well-documented pedigrees and bloodlines. Scottish farmers likely valued the rough, shaggy coat to protect these collies from rough terrain and harsh weather. The famous “beard” protects the dogs’ muzzles and eyes from brush and undergrowth. This unique hairdo is not only fashionable: it’s functional!
It’s thought that the Beardie’s ancestors may have been the Komondor dogs of Central Europe, another uniquely-coated herding breed dog.
The earliest known portrait of a recognizable Bearded Collie was commissioned in 1771, but descriptions of these dogs can be traced back as early as the 1500s. Regional names for these dogs varied, including the Highland Collie or Scotch Sheepdog. These were working farm dogs, existing long before the modern show ring; pedigrees were not documented, and much of the breed’s history can be loosely traced through illustrations, writing, and even verbal folklore. Written accounts from hundreds of years ago described these shaggy dogs as reliable, hardy, tough, and with a keen ability to herd sheep and cattle.
The breed was formally recognized in the 1940s, and efforts to preserve this unique, long-lived dog began. The American Kennel Club (AKC) didn’t recognize the Bearded Collie until 1976; today, this is one of the more uncommon breeds outside of Scotland. Bearded Collies currently rank 140 out of 202 AKC-recognized breeds, making them exceptionally rare dogs in the United States.
2. These Medium-sized Collies Require Regular Grooming
The Bearded Collie is a true medium-sized dog, standing at 20 to 22 inches tall (females tend to be a bit shorter than males). They weigh between 45 to 55 pounds and are on the sturdier side for a herding breed. Bearded Collies have long, coarse hair that will reach the ground if uncut. Watching a well-groomed Beardie run with an excess of rippling, flowing hair in tow is quite a sight! It’s generally not recommended to shave double-coated breeds like the Bearded Collie, but some opt to shave senior dogs who struggle with grooming.
These dogs sport a unique “beard” that hangs down from the face, as well as hair that hangs down around the eyes. The Bearded Collie’s coat gives these dogs an endearing “scruffy dog” look. Bearded Collies can be black, blue, tan, or fawn with white points. These dogs shed and require extensive grooming, with daily brushing being an absolute necessity. Bearded Collies will make your hair routine look easy; if preventing tangles and mats sounds exhausting, this breed is likely not the best candidate for you!
Bearded Collies shed very heavily during shedding season, and prospective caregivers should be prepared for this. Keeping a lint roller handy and investing in a couch cover are wise ideas when caring for this breed.
3. Bearded Collies Thrive with Regular Activity
The Bearded Collie bears all the behavioral characteristics of a herding dog: active, quick-witted, intelligent, and very eager to please. Equipped with strong problem-solving skills, these dogs are ideal, willing candidates for competitive dog sports and other forms of formal training.
Biddability is a strong trait in all herding breeds. In the training world, a dog’s biddability is their innate desire to learn from and work with humans out of purely intrinsic motivation. Biddable dogs tend to be easier to train complex behaviors. Bearded Collies are highly biddable. These clever, loyal dogs tend to be very engaged with their handlers. If a trainer makes learning fun and provides the right motivation, learning will become a passion for most Bearded Collies. More than any other breed group, herding breeds simply tend to dominate in sport and trick training.
Herding breeds might be highly biddable, but their care and training shouldn’t be simplified. Sadly, herding breeds are often destined for failure with caregivers who don’t know how to exercise their instincts healthily. If not provided with enough mental stimulation, herding breed dogs might take it upon themselves to “herd” members of the household using spatial pressure, vocalizing, and even nipping. Herding breed dogs also tend to be sensitive to subtle environmental changes, as they are bred to perform jobs that require a heightened state of awareness and intensity. Without proper socialization, training, and an outlet for their instincts, herding breed dogs are at an increased risk in becoming reactive.
Compared to the rest of the herding group, Bearded Collies tend to be very friendly towards new faces. These dogs are naturally playful, goofy, and outgoing. With active, positive socialization starting in early puppyhood, Bearded Collies can grow into confident, stable dogs who play a positive role in their community.
Positive socialization means the pairing of socialization with positive reinforcement in the form of high-value rewards. It means allowing the puppy or dog to take things at their own pace and not forcing interactions. Good socialization starts with a dog’s breeder and can continue both in a positive reinforcement-based puppy class, as well as an ongoing process throughout the dog’s lifetime.
Because these dogs require so much grooming, it’s essential that caregivers learn how to teach dogs to enjoy the grooming process. Bearded Collies must be brushed every day, and a Beardie who experiences fear or discomfort when being brushed will be living through unnecessary daily stress. Brushes and other grooming supplies should be introduced slowly using cooperative care-style methods and careful desensitization. Having a dog who lies down or stands willingly to be brushed and groomed will provide a more relaxing experience for both dog and caregiver. Ethical breeders should introduce grooming tools at a very young age, and a professional dog trainer can help you continue the cooperative care process if necessary.
4. Bearded Collies Thrive with Activity
All dogs thrive in an environment filled with some form of structure, routine, and predictability. Herding breeds are particularly reliant on taking direction from their caregivers. These highly engaged dogs thrive with extracurricular training activities to exercise their minds. This can consist of trick training, enrichment games, or a fun activity you and your dog do together on a regular basis. Fun training activities strengthen the bond between canine and human, increasing engagement and setting dogs up for success in navigating the human world.
Whether you want to compete in a formal sport like agility, herding, obedience, or nosework, or simply teach your dog silly party tricks at home, training is an ongoing process and will continue to benefit your dog throughout their lifetime. Training should be fun for both dog and handler and should always serve as a joyful bonding experience.
For city pups, special training toys can be used to mimic sequences of the herding process. Dogs can be trained to “herd” toys instead of animals (or people!), and this can serve as a powerful, biologically satisfying activity. These dogs have incredible endurance, so simply running or walking them to “tire them out” likely will not work for the average caregiver. Instead, activities to stimulate the mind can serve as an outlet for these dogs’ instincts.
Enrichment items can be incorporated into a dog’s routine to keep them busy and fulfilled. Serving meals on snuffle mats, in closed egg cartons or cardboard boxes, or in puzzle balls will turn mealtime into an opportunity to exercise natural instincts such as sniffing, foraging, dissecting, and shredding. Rotating simple enrichment activities can help keep these clever dogs busy and enriched. “Work smart, not hard” is the motto here!
If you’re ready to provide active, positive socialization, plenty of engagement, daily grooming, and extensive training, the Bearded Collie could be an ideal breed for you. A well-cared-for Bearded Collie can live 14 years or more, providing well over a decade of faithful companionship. You should take great care to find an ethical dog breeder; this will ensure that your puppy is well socialized and far less likely to experience genetic health issues.
Both clever companions and incredible athletes, the Bearded Collie is truly a breed to behold. These dogs might be uncommon, but those who appreciate their uniqueness truly adore them. This breed has withstood the test of time and is still just as eye-catching as its ancestors who roamed the rugged Scottish highlands many centuries ago.
