Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie most likely descended from Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, which were brought to Scotland in the 1500s. They became fashionable in high society, especially during the Victorian Era, but were mainly working dogs, traipsing the Scottish Highlands driving sheep. Shepherds loved them for their hard-working demeanor and ability to navigate the hills.

The Beardie dog population dwindled after World War I but was rebuilt. In 1967, the first litter of Bearded Collies was born in the U.S.

The ideal owners for the Bearded Collie dog breed are as active as the dogs are. They need someone who is ready and willing to train, entertain, play games, and go on long walks. The Bearded Collie has a distinctive coat, so owners should also enjoy grooming and have space dedicated to this task or be prepared to outsource to a professional groomer. Rural environments are preferable to allow the Bearded Collie to roam and expend energy as needed.

Beardies are a high-energy, boisterous breed that loves to be fit and active, and they will want to be outdoors even in inclement weather. They enjoy staying busy by playing games, fetching a ball, taking a hike, and playing in a large yard with their human or canine friends. They excel at any herding, agility, and obedience tasks.

The Bearded Collie dog breed has a long coat that can hold a lot of dirt, water, and debris. Owners will want to have a dedicated place to bathe them and allow them to dry off, which can take a while because the coats are so dense. They’ll need access to a fenced-in yard for roaming and running, as well as a variety of places to go on leash walks. They are country dogs at heart and do best in rural or suburban areas.

Bearded Collies do not shed much, but do require brushing to remove tangles and any debris from their long coat. Owners should also be prepared for sessions with a coarser comb and anti-tangle spray to help keep their coats in pristine condition and remove any dead hairs. Full baths can be an undertaking—their dense coats can take quite a while to dry.

Herding dogs were developed to work independently, so this subtle stubbornness can be a challenge when starting to train a Bearded Collie. However, patience, positive reinforcement, and a lot of treats are the key to training this breed. They are intelligent and clever problem solvers who enjoy learning new things. Beardies are known to get bored easily so the more fun and diverse an owner can make training, the better.

Bearded Collies make excellent pets for families who are willing to put the time and effort into their exercise and grooming requirements. They love to herd and have no distinction between young children and animals, so families with older children or no children are be

The cost of a Bearded Collie from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.