Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie breed originates from Scotland where it was bred for herding. The long hair surrounding the cheeks and chin, in the form of a beard, is a distinctive feature of the breed. They are dogs with a carefree and highly energetic personality.

General details

Dogs of the breed are medium-sized and slender-bodied. The weight ranges between 20 and 25 kilograms, while the height varies between 53 and 56 centimeters in males and between 51 and 53 centimeters in females. The life expectancy of this breed is 12 to 14 years. They belong to Group 1 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which groups shepherd dogs and cattle dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs).

Breed history in brief

The Bearded Collie breed has a long history. Around the 16th century a breed similar to the Bearded Collie was registered in Scotland. At that time it was bred to move and protect herds of sheep in the Scottish Highlands. It is possible that the Bearded Collie breed is descended from breeds such as the Komondor and the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. The breed's strong work ethic made them very popular with farming families. Despite the breed's long history, it was not until 1967 that the first litter of dogs was registered in the United States. To this day, it continues to act as a working dog in some parts of the world, although it is mostly known as a family pet, much loved for its lively and active personality.

Breed characteristics

Bearded Collie is a dog with an elongated body, with a level topline. The shape of the skull is flat, square and broad. The eyes are large, wide apart and their color corresponds to that of the coat, while the ears are medium-sized and pendulous. Its tail is long and carried low with a slight upward curve. The coat is double-coated, the undercoat is soft and compact, while the outer coat is rough, smooth, shaggy and without curls. The coat is long and dense, but without hiding the lines of the body. On the cheeks, lower lip and lower jaw, the hair is longer to the chest, in the form of a beard. The coloration of the Bearded Collie includes black, gray, brown and blue, with or without white markings. In addition, it may have slight tan markings on the eyebrows, inside of the ears, cheeks, under the insertion of the tail and on the legs. The breed is known for its friendly, playful and especially energetic character. In addition, they are intelligent dogs, although they can be independent and need firm training. As a consequence of their energetic attitude, they require regular exercise to keep them stimulated. The breed's thick coat requires constant grooming to prevent tangles and matting.

Common health problems

Bearded Collies are a robust breed in good health. However, it is true that they may show some predisposition to suffer from diseases or disorders such as cataracts, corneal dystrophy, follicular dysplasias, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and pemphigus foliaceus. In addition, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends screening for autoimmune thyroiditis.