Bearded Collie
A Scottish drover's dog under a shaggy weatherproof coat. It works cattle by bounce and by noise rather than by the border collie's stare.
Photo by Tharudah, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Bearded Collie is a Scottish droving dog, used to move cattle and sheep over rough country in bad weather, and the long harsh coat is what let it work in a Scottish winter. It nearly died out after the Second World War and was rebuilt from a handful of dogs in the 1940s.
It is a bouncy, exuberant breed, and the enthusiasm is a defining characteristic rather than a phase.
Temperament
Cheerful, boisterous and enthusiastic to a degree that some people find exhausting. Beardies are affectionate, sociable with people and dogs, and they stay puppyish for years.
They are clever and independent and they will offer their own suggestions during training. They are vocal, they bounce, and they herd. They do badly left alone and they need a household that finds the energy funny rather than irritating.
Care and grooming
A serious coat commitment. The long harsh outer coat over a soft undercoat mats down to the skin if it is not combed thoroughly twice a week, and the puppy coat change around a year old is a period of daily work.
Many pet owners keep them trimmed shorter. Hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and Addison's disease all occur in the breed, and Addison's is worth knowing about because it is easily missed.
Living and exercise
Ninety minutes to two hours a day, and mental work as well. They are good at agility, herding and obedience.
They suit an active outdoorsy household with space, and they are a poor fit for a quiet flat. The coat also means a Beardie comes home from a walk carrying most of it.
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