For outdoor adventures there’s no better canine companion than the Bearded Collie. These bouncy, lively, energetic dogs are always up for an adventure. Naturally friendly and brimming with enthusiasm for life, Bearded Collies (or Beardies to their families) are fun, boisterous dogs that never slow down, even in old age. Charming, their playful personalities will delight you and your friends and family. Sure, they need lots of daily attention (including grooming, exercise and training) but with this pup by your side, there will never be a dull moment.
Bearded Collie Facts
The Bearded Collie originated in the Scottish Highlands where they were bred to herd and drive sheep. Working long, hard days, Beardies quickly became known for their energy, stamina and lovely temperament. They became fashionable for a time, swapping the outdoor herding life for the homes of the Scottish elite. They even appear in paintings, like a 1771 Gainsborough portrait of the Duke of Buccleuch.
- Breed Group: Herding
- Height: Female: 50-53cm; Male: 53-55cm
- Weight: Female: 20-25kg; Male: 20-25kg
- Life Span: 12 - 14 years
- Coat: Silky, long, double
- Colour: Black, blue, brown and fawn with white
What Does a Bearded Collie Look Like?
At first glance, you might think a Bearded Collie is an Old English Sheepdog. They both rock a shaggy double coat that brushes the floor, for starters. But underneath all that hair, a Bearded Collie is a far more lean and angular pup. Weighing up to 25kg as a fully grown adult, Bearded Collies are full of fun and energy.
You’ll notice their eyes peeking out from under their lush facial hair. Their large, expressive eyes are coloured to match their coat. Black dogs have dark eyes, and silver dogs have blue-grey eyes. You might struggle to notice their long, hairy, floppy ears but they are there (somewhere). Watch a Bearded Collie get excited and you’ll see them perk up at the base. Again, their long, fluffy tail might be hidden by their coat but the second they spy you, it’ll start swishing with joy.
Bearded Collies’ long shaggy coats come in a range of colours, although they’re mainly black, blue, brown and fawn with white.
Bearded Collie
Bearded Collie Temperament: Boisterous and Bouncy
Imagine a Bearded Collie as a toddler: they’re independent, somewhat willful but always friendly with a pure zest for life. Known for being boisterous and rambunctious, Beardies tackle everything with their signature enthusiasm: these are charismatic, charming dogs that it’s impossible not to fall in love with.
Because of their weatherproof double coat (designed to keep them warm and dry in the wild Scottish Highlands), Bearded Collies don’t let a little wind or rain stop them. They need outdoor exercise, in all and any weather. If you’re into outdoor adventuring, you won’t find a better and more loving and funny pup pal than a Beardie.
Born leaders, Beardies are really intelligent dogs that need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. A bored Beardie is a potentially destructive Beardie who will turn their paws to anything they can think of, whether that’s hooning around your home, herding the kids or chewing the furniture.
Athletic dogs, Bearded Collies never really grow out of their energy - they’re full of beans, at every age. They love chasing, playing and running alongside you and prefer to always be by your side, even when you’re just popping to the shops, rather than being left alone. A well-socialised Beardie will settle into every home and get on well with other animals and kids.
Keeping Bearded Collies Healthy: 4 Issues to Watch Out For
Ear Problems
Those long, floppy, hairy ears might look lovely but they can easily get dirty and infected, especially if they’re not cleaned regularly. In your weekly grooms, be sure to check their ears for any signs of infections, like redness or swelling. Also check them after hiking in the bush, swimming or playing in muddy places. You can use gentle ear cleaning wipes to remove any dirt or debris.
Cancer
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Bearded Collies. Because there are so many different types, all with different symptoms, the best way to watch out for cancer is to have yearly vet check-ups where your vet can perform a range of tests to check your Beardie’s health. If you notice anything different about your Beardie, book a vet appointment as soon as possible rather than waiting for their yearly check. Cancer can be managed and treated in many different ways, which depends on your dog’s age and the type and stage of cancer.
Autoimmune Disease
Although not common, some Bearded Collies develop autoimmune diseases. These include hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease), thyroiditis, or low platelet or red blood cell count. Autoimmune diseases cause your dog’s immune system to attack healthy cells and come with a range of symptoms. Blood tests can help confirm if your Beardie has an autoimmune disease. Most are treatable with medication.
Joint Issues
Large dog breeds are prone to developing joint issues, but the medium-sized Bearded Collie appears to be at a greater risk of developing hip dysplasia. This painful condition causes the hip joint to not form correctly, so it rubs rather than moves smoothly. A Beardie with hip dysplasia might limp or have problems moving, especially going up and down stairs. Hip dysplasia can be treated in a range of ways, including weight management, physical therapy and surgery. However, it’s an inherited condition which responsible breeders should screen for.
Caring for Your Bearded Collie Dog
That lush shaggy coat needs plenty of daily attention and care. Other daily must dos for your Bearded Collie include lots of exercise and time with their families. Beardies do best with a structure and routine to their day and behavioural expectations to help this independent dog become the best version of themselves.
Grooming
Bearded Collies have a long double coat that sheds a moderate amount of hair throughout most of the year, but considerably more once or twice per year as the seasons change. Regular brushing is needed to maintain their coat and is one of the best ways to reduce shedding.
Every day, give them a brush to remove any tangles, dirt or debris. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Then, weekly you’re going to need a more thorough grooming session. Arm yourself with a rake, brush, comb and maybe even some detangler. The aim is to remove any dead hair and get their coat looking as shiny and neat as possible. This will probably take between 30 and 60 minutes. You might want to think about a hair clip to keep their fringe out of their eyes.
These weekly grooming sessions are a good opportunity to check their ears for any dirt or debris, wax, and signs of infection (like redness or swelling). Gentle ear cleaning wipes can help keep their ears healthy. Check their nails regularly too, and clip them as needed.
Baths can be kept to a minimum (unless they’ve rolled in something disgusting). Every 4 to 6 weeks should be fine. What you’ll need to do more regularly is brush their teeth. Work up to doing this every day to keep their mouth and gums healthy and disease-free.
Nutrition
Bearded Collies don’t have any special dietary needs. They’ll do well on quality commercial dog food that’s suited to their life stage: puppy, adult or senior.
Because this is such a busy, active dog, Beardies might need extra protein added to their diet or to eat food that’s specifically for working dogs. Check with your vet to ensure your Beardie is getting all the nutrients that it needs.
Exercise
A bit of bad weather doesn’t scare off a Bearded Collie - they want to be outside, running and playing, whatever the weather’s doing. Every single day, come rain or shine, a Beardie needs some sort of activity for around 1 hour.
They really love playing ball; going on long walks, runs and tramps; and playing in a large, fully-fenced area, either with their people or other pups. Dog sports, like herding, rally and agility, is when a Beardie really shines.
As well as exercising their bodies, give them something for their minds too. Teach them tricks like play dead or shake and stock up on puzzle and enrichment toys for some indoor entertainment.
Training
High energy levels plus smarts plus being bred to herd and work independently without humans equals a somewhat stubborn dog. Starting training with a Bearded Collie early is the best way to help your pup see that your way is the best way.
Thanks to their intelligence, a Beardie can pick up the basics easily: they should master sit, stay and come in no time. Positive reinforcement training, which rewards them for doing a good job with treats, praise and playtime, works best for Beardies.
But this intelligence and independence also means that Bearded Collies can get quickly bored and distracted. Keep training sessions short and fun, moving onto new skills once they’ve got to grips with one.
Another thing to bear in mind with Beardies is their herding instincts are strong. Without proper training and socialisation, your Beardie might try to herd (and nip) anyone that they don’t think is moving quick enough. Other dogs, animals, kids and family friends all might find themselves with sore heels. Training a Beardie helps them learn when it’s appropriate to herd, and when it isn’t.
Although they’re naturally friendly pups, Bearded Collies still need appropriate early socialisation, including puppy training classes. These introduce your Beardie to a range of situations, people and dogs, helping them to become a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult.