A medium sized dog with excellent herding capabilities, the Bearded Collie is popular as a work dog as well as a family pet. They are recognizable by their very long, luxurious coat.
The Bearded Collie originates from Scotland and has been used for many years to herd cattle. It is thought to have developed from other strains of working dogs, but their exact ancestors are unknown.
The earliest records of Bearded Collie’s in the show ring dates to 1897, the bereds numbers diminished quite a deal. Efforts post World War II have seen them on the increase ever since.
Appearance
An adult Bearded collie will stand at between 20 and 22 inches tall. They weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms. A medium sized breed, the Bearded Collie is most famous for its long coat. It has a long body and is quite a strong dog. While to look at the breed it seems quite strong and sturdy, it is actually quite agile as fits its occupation as working dog.
When born, puppies are often quite dark in colour, but as they grow up their coat lightens. Common variations in colour include black, silver, cinnamon, fawn and champagne. The coats also have white markings. They have a broad and flat skull, a large nose and large eyes which are usually dark in colour. The long coat of the Bearded Collie requires a regular grooming routine to be in place. They shed a lot, but regular crushing can helpr educe this.
Temperament
The Bearded Collie is an intelligent dog, like man y of its working dog cousins. It is a hard worker, but also has a very loving and loyal nature and will enjoy being a part of family life. When working, they are very independent dogs. They often work miles way from the Shepherd, and rely on their own sense of judgement to make decisions.
They are rarely aggressive towards people and dogs, and are quite soft antured. If a firm hand is used then they can quickly become timid or shy, so gentler methods of training are encouraged.
Energetic dogs, they love to get outside and work, and are happiest when they have a task to complete. They need plenty of exercise, although are not often destructive. The love to play, run and be outside. They are notorious for playing in the mud, so keep a look out for puddles.
Working and Tasks
The Bearded Collie has been red for many years as a working dog, and excels at herding cattle. It works well independently, but also enjoys family life.
Health
The coat of the Bearded Collie will need grooming and brushing at least three times a week. It is also important that they receive regular exercise. For the most part, Bearded Collies are a healthy breed of dog. Some dogs have had allergic reactions to heartworm pills, so speak with your vet about this. Auto immune disorders, hip dysplasia and eye conditions have also been noted to occur across the breed in some instances.