Bearded Collie

Highland Collie

The Bearded Collie, guardian, herding dog and protector, has become one of the best companion dogs of our time. The difference between sheep and humans is not very pronounced for him. He gathers and watches over them in order to better protect them. This magnificent show dog has all the qualities to become a full-fledged family member.

Height 51 to 56 cm
Weight 25 to 30 kg
Life expectancy 13 to 15 years
Hair Loss High
Excercise Need High
Home country United Kingdom (UK)

Quick Overview of the Bearded Collie

Temperament

  • Reliable and determined
  • Great kindness
  • Comfortable living with the family
  • Loves children

Appearance

  • Longer than high
  • Giant fur
  • Falling ears
  • Slightly long tail

Health

  • Falling ears sometimes prone to ear infections
  • Generally healthy
  • Good life expectancy

Temperament of the Bearded Collie

Reliable, determined, strong, hardy and simple, the Bearded Collie has all the qualities required of a sheepdog. His beautiful abilities are matched by his great kindness. He is comfortable living with the family. Even if he is primarily a sheepdog, he is more and more used as a companion dog. He loves children and bonds with all members of the household.

With a protective instinct towards his own, surely coming from his sheepdog genes, he is distrustful and more reserved towards strangers. His aptitudes make him an excellent guard dog. He tends to gather his own and watch over them to protect them against any situation.

His qualities and attributes make him a very attractive dog regardless of the type of owner. However, one must still be prepared to invest time in his education and also in his maintenance, in order to keep his coat in good condition.

bearded collie personnalité

Breed Appearance

bearded collie

Longer than it is tall, the silhouette of the Bearded Collie allows for lively and flexible movements without any heaviness. Despite his immense coat, he seems to move effortlessly and his trotting gait is one of the most beautiful among sheepdogs.

Height

Between 53 and 56 cm (20.87 to 22.05 inches) for the male
Between 51 and 53 cm (20.08 to 20.87 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 25 and 30 kg (55.12 to 66.14 pounds) for the male
Between 25 and 30 kg (55.12 to 66.14 pounds) for the female

Color

The Bearded Collie's color can vary between slate grey, reddish fawn, blue, black, grey in all shades, brown and sand. It can be spotless or spotted with white spots.

Hair

The hair of his giant fur is double. It is rough, shaggy and strong and has a very soft and tight undercoat.

Morphology

His broad head has a skull with a moderate stop. His large eyes are more or less dark but always brown. The color of his coat and the age of the dog can affect the color of the eyes. His drooping ears are medium size.

The Bearded Collie's nose is generally black but can also match the coat color. His tail is moderately long. When he is happy, he wears it cheerfully but it is never carried over the back.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 1, section 1 and is #271

Characteristics of the Bearded Collie

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

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Life in an apartment
Good first dog
Tolerates solitude
Tolerates cold weather
Tolerates hot weather
Affectionate
Friendly with children
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other animals
Hair loss
Drooling level
Easy to care for
Robust health
Easy to train
Intelligent
Tendency to bark
Tendency to nibble
Protective
Instinct to hunt
Adventurous spirit
Energy level
Level of intensity
Need for exercise
Playful

Price and monthly budget

Price you can expect to pay for a Bearded Collie puppy: between and
These prices are indicative and may vary from breeder to breeder
Average monthly budget for a Bearded Collie:
The monthly budget includes the average expenses for food and hygiene products (grooming, anti-parasite...)

Tips About this breed

The Bearded Collie has an excellent character. Very loyal and protective, he will tend to stay close to his masters in order to watch over them and gather them in case of an outside threat, similar to sheep herding. He is always on the lookout and stays close by so that he can bring back lost sheep if necessary. He does not tend to bark excessively, but if he senses sheep moving away from his flock, he will bark to bring them back to order. So he makes an excellent babysitter.

He can live in the city as well as in the country, but he much prefers to live outdoors. His sheepdog genes still remain today and the great outdoors are his preference. Living in an apartment will be possible if the owner is willing to let him spend his energy and run during the day.

Since he can be stubborn, his upbringing must be gentle but firm. He will tend to repeat the same behaviour once he has adopted it. If he entertains once and feels appreciated, he will certainly do it again.

It is advisable to provide good training from a young age to ensure that he understands his limits. He must be convinced of the usefulness of what he is being asked to do in order to carry out orders, so it is preferable to start his education very early.

Health of the Bearded Collie

Falling ears are sometimes prone to ear infections, but regular maintenance will prevent recurring infections. The Bearded Collie generally enjoys good health. He is a robust dog that lives quite a long time.

GROOMING

Due to his huge fur, the Bearded Collie needs a good and energetic brushing about every fortnight. During the moulting period, it is best to increase the pace and give him a brushing two to three times a week. His drooping ears should also be checked regularly to avoid foreign bodies that could cause infection. Regular checking and cleaning will reduce the risk of otitis.

History of this breed

The Bearded Collie's origin is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated either in Scotland or England. This very old dog most likely comes from a cross between a Bobtail and a primitive form of Collie. The first written records of the breed date back to the 16th century and to the time of the Roman invasion of the British Isles.

Even though the Collie is mentioned in the name, his appearance is totally different from his ancestor. His beard gives him a familiar look with the breed, but once the beard is removed, he has no Collie-like attributes. The name Collie could, according to some, come from the word "coal" for the charcoal color that dominates the Bearded Collie's fur. Some others would argue that the Collie portion of his name was given because of his work as a sheep herder on Scottish lands at the time.

There are several types of Collies, including the Collie (of with the famous movie star, Lassie), the Border Collie (from the Borders region between Scotland and England) and the Bearded Collie discussed in this article.

The Bearded Collie was at the time an excellent herder and extraordinary livestock keeper. Primarily a sheepdog, today he has become essentially a show and companion dog much appreciated for his great family qualities.

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