Bearded Collie
Country/Date of Origin: Great Britain/1600s
It is thought that Bearded Collies are descended from Polish or Hungarian sheepdogs traded for Scottish sheep in the 1600s. These continental dogs were interbred with Scottish stock and worked the fields unheralded outside the mountain fastness for centuries. In the 1700s the Beardies had become popular with both shepherds and Scottish aristocracy. And by 1800 the breed was a favored pet of all classes. When dog shows were introduced in the late 19th century, the Beardies path was all uphill. In the years of World War I the Beardie hung on by a thread, kept alive by a few shepherds who recognized its working prowess. In 1944 a brown puppy was sent to Mrs. G. O. Willison, an Englishwoman who had asked for a Shetland Sheepdog. She knew it wasn't a Sheltie but by the time she was able to identify what it was, she was captivated and worked tirelessly to promote the breed. From this mystery puppy came almost all the Beardies of today. In 1967 the first American litter was whelped and the AKC granted the breed full recognition in 1977.
Other Names Body Type Personality Coat Health Concerns
Back to TopBeardie
AKC Group: Herding
Breed Club: Bearded Collie Club of America
Rescue Club: Bearded Collie Club of America - Beardie Rescue
Back to TopBody Type:
- Resembles a smaller, thinner Old English Sheepdog
- Arched eyebrows give it a quizzical expression
- Height: 20-22 inches (at the shoulder)
- Weight: 40-60 pounds
- The tail is medium length, low set and never altered
- Medium-sized hanging ears are not altered
Personality:
- Unequaled as a family dog
- Lovable and loving without discrimination; this however, makes them poor guard dogs
- Intelligent and wants to please
Coat:
- Shaggy, double coat with long, rough outer coat and soft undercoat
- Permissible colors are black, brown, reddish-fawn, blue, sandy, or various shades of gray, silver or slate with touches of white
- Requires regular brushing to avoid matting and excessive accumulation of dirt
- In shows, the coat should appear natural with no traces of trimming
Health Concerns:
- Healthy overall but with a tendency to be fragile
- This breed is not a "fighter." When it becomes ill, it just gives up and dies when a stronger, tougher breed would pull through
- Subject to hip dysplasia
Tasty Tidbits:
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