The Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a dog that has a very carefree disposition.

This breed, which dates as far back as 1514 in Scotland, is a direct descendent of the Polish Sheepdog. The Bearded Collie is in all likelihood connected to the Old English sheepdog because of the obvious similarities.

Some of the Beardie's gifts are tracking, herding and performing tricks. The Bearded Collie was employed in Scotland as a herder of both sheep and cattle. As collie is the Scottish word for herding dog, it adds up that the breed became known as the Bearded Collie.

This breed, which is still somewhat rare in the U.S., is registered with AKC as a member of the Herding group.

The Beardie is a robust, hardy and active dog. This medium to large sized dog weighs in at a solid 40-60 pounds with a height of 20-22 inches. The Beardie has a shaggy coat all over his body, including under the chin, which makes him look as though he is sporting a beard. That's why fans of this breed refer to it as Beardie.

The Bearded Collie and People

The Bearded Collie is not recommended for apartment life. These dogs are fairly active, even indoors, and will be happier with at least an average-sized yard. This is a dog that demands lots of exercise, preferably running free. Beardies do not like to be restrained and your dog ought to have a place to run off of its lead.

Obedience training is crucial for this breed because while they are intelligent, these dogs can be very self-willed. Because it was bred to be an independent thinker, the Beardie may resist training. The Beardie is a natural herder of people and animals. They are noisy barkers, but most Beardies do not make good watchdogs.

The Bearded Collie and Grooming

Grooming for the Bearded Collie requires daily brushing of its long, shaggy coat. If you don't maintain your dog's coat, it will become so entangled that you will have to have the dog shaved to remove the matts.

You should use a brush to thoroughly groom your dog's coat once a day. A fine mist of water will help to tease out any matts. A spray on conditioner can also be helpful. Pay additional care to the coat when the dog is shedding. Grooming can help collect all of that loose hair before it hits the ground.

You may want to consider having your dog professionally groomed every few months. A daily check of the eyes, ears and paws is also a good idea. Bathe your dog or use a dry shampoo when necessary. Check regularly for ticks on the thick undercoat.

Grooming for the Bearded Collie requires daily brushing of its long, shaggy coat. If you don't maintain your dog's coat, it will become so entangled that you will have to have the dog shaved to remove the matts.

You should use a brush to thoroughly groom your dog's coat once a day. A fine mist of water will help to tease out any matts. A spray on conditioner can also be helpful. Pay additional care to the coat when the dog is shedding. Grooming can help collect all of that loose hair before it hits the ground.

You may want to consider having your dog professionally groomed every few months. A daily check of the eyes, ears and paws is also a good idea. Bathe your dog or use a dry shampoo when necessary. Check regularly for ticks on the thick undercoat.

The Bearded Collie and Health

Overall, Beardies are a sturdy breed that enjoys good health. However, problems do occur within the breed. These include allergies, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, auto-immune disease and some eye problems. Also, the breed's dense coat may conceal external parasite infestation.

If you're looking for a dog that is a good family companion that has a tail that is almost constantly wagging, then the Bearded Collie may just be the perfect breed for you and your family.

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