Bearded Collie: Your Complete Guide

Bearded collies have a distinctive appearance, long shaggy coat, and bouncy, friendly demeanor. It’s no surprise that this historically working breed is becoming more popular with individuals who want an active, lovable dog.

The bearded collie has a long history as a herding dog and originates from Scotland. Today, they are mostly known as a family companion, though they are still highly intelligent and skilled at learning new things and completing herding tasks.

If you’re thinking of adding a bearded collie to your family, there are several important things you should know, such as care standards and the exercise needs of this dog. Our complete guide gives you insight into the bearded collie breed to help you decide whether or not this is the right dog for you.

Quick Look at the Bearded Collie

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Bearded Collies?

The bearded collie originated in Scotland, and it’s widely believed that the first ancestors of this dog were a mix between local Scottish herding dogs and the Polish lowland sheepdog.

History points to the modern bearded collie emerging around 1944. An English woman named Mrs. G. Olive Willison sought a Shetland sheepdog puppy from a Scottish farmer but received a bearded collie puppy instead. She met a Scottish immigrant with a bearded collie and their dogs ended up becoming the parents to the bearded collie breed we know today.

The majority of purebred bearded collies around today can trace their ancestry back to these dogs, Jeannie and Ballie.

The first litter of bearded collies born in the United States occurred in 1967, and the breed was registered with the American Kennel Club as part of its herding group in 1983.

Most bearded collie breeders dedicated to preserving this breed take great care with their breeding practices and the homes that they place these dogs in. This makes this breed very traceable in terms of ancestry and parental genetics, in addition to preventing changes to the appearance and standards of the breed over time.

What Do Bearded Collies Look Like?

Bearded collies have a distinctive shaggy long coat, and their straight fur forms a beard around their muzzles, something that gives them their name. This dog typically appears in a bi-color pattern, and they are commonly seen in the colors of black, blue, and brown or fawn. Over time, their coat color may change to more of a silver or white.

Bearded collies are medium-sized, and they have a friendly, bouncy appearance. This breed has a double coat that consists of a longer and coarse shaggy, straight layer, and a softer layer underneath. Their eyes are intelligent and alert, and their ears are floppy and furry.

What Size Is a Bearded Collie?

Bearded collies are considered a medium-sized dog, and they will stand between 20 and 22 inches tall. This dog will weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. Males are generally taller and weigh more than females of this breed.

What Is a Bearded Collie’s Coat Type and Length?

Bearded collies are long-haired dogs, and they have a double coat. Their top layer of fur is what gives them their shaggy, bearded appearance, and this fur is straight and somewhat coarse in texture. Their bottom layer of fur is softer and not quite as thick.

What Is a Bearded Collie’s Temperament?

Bearded collies are known for being the life of the party, and this pup loves to bounce around exercising and playing with their families. They are friendly and outgoing, and they need lots of time spent running around outdoors to stay happy.

Bearded collies are intelligent, and this can lead to bad habits or stubbornness if they aren’t properly trained and mentally stimulated throughout the day.

Your bearded collie will likely be protective over their families, though they don’t automatically distrust strangers or other animals. This breed is independent and athletic, and you can expect them to come up with their own methods of getting what they want, as they enjoy a challenge and have the intelligence to puzzle things out as needed.

Are Bearded Collies Good With Kids?

Bearded collies are generally fairly tolerant and good with children, as long as the children know how to properly interact with their dog. They are especially well-suited for active families with children that play often with the dog, and they may see the children as part of their flock, occasionally herding them around and protecting them.

Are Bearded Collies Good With Other Animals?

For the most part, bearded collies are good with other animals, especially animals that they have been raised alongside. They aren’t distrusting of other dogs, including cats, though they do tend to chase smaller animals from time to time, usually in an attempt to play.

Your bearded collie might need lots of socialization to stay happy, so they typically fit into families with other dogs at home.

Are Bearded Collies Aggressive?

Bearded collies aren’t likely to be aggressive unless they feel like they or a member of their family is directly threatened. Even then, this dog is quite friendly and outgoing, and it can take a lot for them to develop aggressive behavior.

However, it’s important to note that bearded collies are very intelligent, and they require a lot of exercise. Lack of physical and mental stimulation may lead to unwanted behaviors such as barking, growling, and acting territorially as they seek to have their needs met.

Do Bearded Collies Bark?

Bearded collies are generally not very active barkers, though they may bark when they feel things aren’t going their way or to show displeasure. They have been known to bark at threats or intruders, but they are likely a little too friendly to really show that they are a threat beyond their bark.

Your bearded collie might bark more if they aren’t having their exercise and mental stimulation needs met. Barking is typically the first step before more destructive behaviors set in out of boredom.

Are Bearded Collies Affectionate?

Bearded collies are known for being very affectionate, and they love to spend time with their owners. They will enjoy going on long hikes or working alongside their families, and they love to cuddle up with their owners at the end of a long day. These dogs are cuddly and friendly, and you will have no problem giving and receiving affection with them.

Are Bearded Collies Intelligent?

Bearded collies are very intelligent, and they need lots of mental stimulation to stay happy. This is a breed that should be trained from the time they are a puppy and given lots of interactive toys throughout the day, as they are curious and love learning new things.

It’s important to note that because they are so intelligent, they might get stubborn or badly behaved when they feel things aren’t going their way, or when training and their daily routine becomes too repetitive.

Are Bearded Collies Energetic?

Historically a working and herding breed, bearded collies are very energetic. They need lots of time spent playing outdoors, and they thrive when able to work alongside their owners.

You will need to give your dog lots of outdoor playtime, take them for several long walks each day, and ensure they can run freely around a dog park or other open area often to ensure they are physically healthy and meet their socialization needs.

Are Bearded Collies Easy to Train?

Bearded collies are intelligent, and they are fairly easy to train. These dogs love to learn new things and often rise to the challenge of being trained, no matter what the task is. Bearded collies are a working breed, and they will enjoy helping out around the home and being given tasks to complete, as they are often eager to please their owners.

It’s important to note that while training a bearded collie, you may need to keep things fluid and change training techniques or lessons often, as these dogs may become bored with the same routines each day and stubborn or vocal in response.

Are Bearded Collies Good Watchdogs?

While bearded collies are alert and watchful, often protective over their homes and families, they are generally not the best watchdog. This breed is friendly and outgoing, and while they may bark a bit at someone they don’t recognize, they are easily won over with affection and the possibility of playtime with a new friend.

Are Bearded Collies Good Service Dogs?

Bearded collies make good service dogs, as they are intelligent and suited for learning complex tasks. They love to work, and being given commands and tasks to complete daily as they help their owners will fulfill them mentally.

They need lots of exercise, so it’s important that the individual utilizing them as a service dog can give them that. Bearded collies may also make good emotional support animals and therapy dogs, as long as their basic exercise needs are met.

How to Care for a Bearded Collie?

Bearded collies are a unique breed, and they must be cared for properly if your dog is to live a long, happy, and healthy life. Your bearded collie will be energetic, social, and intelligent, and they will need ample access to the outdoors so they can run and play whenever they feel like it.

A fenced backyard works great, but make sure to monitor your bearded collie when they are outside, as they often rise to the challenge of becoming an escape artist.

In addition to lots of exercise, your bearded collie will need to be carefully groomed. You will need to brush them often and have their fur trimmed consistently to keep their double coat in good shape.

Make sure to train your bearded collie to keep them mentally stimulated, and don’t leave your bearded collie alone for more than six hours at a time, as this dog gets bored and lonely, and they may use their intelligence to get up to no good around your home. Bearded collies need lots of interactive toys and a healthy diet to stay happy.

Do You Need to Groom a Bearded Collie?

Bearded collies need to be groomed consistently, and they should be brushed at least twice a week to stop their long shaggy coats from forming mats or tangles. Bathe your bearded collie as needed and take them to a professional groomer regularly to keep their fur trimmed, their hair out of their eyes, and ensure their coat is kept in good shape.

Do Bearded Collies Shed?

Despite their long coats and the appearance of lots of fur, bearded collies are average shedders. Regular brushings and bathes, in addition to professional grooms with trims, will help to contain the amount of fur this breed might shed around your home.

What Health Problems Do Bearded Collies Have?

Bearded collies are prone to certain health issues that are connected to their genetics. This breed may develop certain eye conditions and joint problems such as hip dysplasia in addition to certain types of cancers and autoimmune thyroiditis. Regular veterinary checkups and an overall healthy lifestyle can help prevent these issues or catch them before they become serious.

How Long Do Bearded Collies Live?

On average, bearded collies will live between 12 and 14 years. Making sure that your bearded collie has a healthy lifestyle, quality diet, and regular veterinary care will help to ensure your dog lives a healthy, happy, and long life.

What Should a Bearded Collie Eat?

In general, your bearded collie should eat between one and a half to two cups of dry or wet food per day, depending on the caloric content of the food and the size of your dog.

You will also need to consider any special health needs for your bearded collie’s diet, in addition to their exercise each day. If you have any questions about feeding your bearded collie, speak with your vet for recommendations.

Is a Bearded Collie the Right Dog for Me?

The bearded collie is a lovable, friendly, and energetic dog, and they are a great choice if you want an active dog to accompany your active lifestyle.

Families with lots of outdoor and indoor space for this dog to run around, individuals looking for a companion dog to spend days outdoors, and people looking for an intelligent dog to work alongside them will all be happy with the bearded collie.

It’s important that if you are considering adopting a bearded collie that you can commit to their exercise, grooming, and training needs, as these are all items that must be upkept on a daily or weekly basis to ensure your bearded collie looks their best, feels great, and thrives as a member of your family.