The Bearded Collie dog breed was created in Scotland to herd sheep and cattle in any climate or setting. Today, they make lovely family pets, working sheepdogs, show dogs, or perhaps all three.
Despite being purebred canines, you might find them in shelters or with rescue organizations.
Bearded Collies are excellent candidates for competing in obedience, rally, agility, and other canine sports due to their vigour and quickness. They create loving pets that even inexperienced dog parents can enjoy.
However, they require a lot of activity and would much rather have a fenced-in yard to play in. And check to see if the fence is solid; these puppies can be great escape artists!
This breed might be the one for you if you’re seeking a loving, devoted best friend who can keep you on your toes!
Table of Contents
Breed Overview
| Breed Group | Herding dogs |
| Weight | 45 – 55 pounds |
| Height | 20 – 22 inches at the shoulder |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Coat colour | Black, fawn, black & brown, brown, blue, tri-colour |
| Shedding | Medium to high shedders |
| Lifespan | 12 – 14 years |
| Temperament | Intelligent, active, social, alert, hardy |
| Trainability | Easy to train |
History Of The Bearded Collie Dog Breed
One of the oldest dog breeds in Britain is the Bearded Collie. These hairy herding dogs, known as the Highland Collie, Mountain Collie, or Hairy Mou’ed Collie, have served as farmers’ helpers for countless generations.
Farmers bred them for their working prowess and did not keep records, so it is unknown how the Beardie came to be. However, the legend is that a Polish trader visiting Scotland in the 1500s exchanged a pair of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs for other goods.
Breeders created the Bearded Collies when they presumably crossed with local sheepdogs. The earliest known depictions of dogs resembling Bearded Collie breeds are found in paintings by Gainsborough and Reynolds from 1772.
A breed description was printed in an issue of Live Stock Journal from 1818. At the end of the Victorian era, bearded collies were well-liked working and show dogs.
Still, they lacked a breed club and an official standard. Shepherds who respected their working prowess and persisted in using them as working sheepdogs helped to preserve the breed.
Personality Of The Bearded Collie
A Beardie is perceptive, resourceful, and self-assured. This breed is entertaining because of its upbeat, effervescent nature.
However, it may be a free-thinking individual who likes to do things, and it’s the way when it comes to training. They are noisy playmates for kids. Moreover, Beardies have a great sense of humour, so being around them is fun.
Health Issues Prevalent Among The Bearded Collie
Allergies
Allergies are a prevalent illness in these canines. By removing specific foods from the dog’s diet temporarily, allergies to particular foods are detected and addressed.
A reaction to something that touches the dog, such as bedding, flea powders, dog shampoos, or other chemicals, causes contact allergies.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia, a heritable disorder in which the thighbone doesn’t fit securely into the hip joint, is one such instance. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness in one or both of their hind legs, but a dog with hip dysplasia may not show any discomfort.
Hypothyroidism
This condition occurs when the thyroid gland generates its hormone deficiency. Infertility could be a minor illness symptom. Obesity, mental struggle, drooping eyes, low vitality, and erratic heat cycles are more overt symptoms.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
PRA exists in dogs long before the dog exhibits any symptoms of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can compensate for blindness with their other senses, and a blind dog can lead a whole and content life.
Persistent Pupillary Membrane
Persistent Pupillary Membranes are tissue strands formerly part of the fetal membrane that feeds the eyes’ lenses before birth.
They are found in the eye. Usually gone by the time a puppy is 4 or 5 weeks old, although occasionally, they linger. The strands are sometimes found in the eye’s anterior (front) chamber and can extend from iris to iris, iris to the lens, or cornea to the iris.
Care For The Bearded Collie
The Beardie is a mixed-environment dog. He must reside indoors with his family and have access to a fenced-in yard or large area where he can run, and he isn’t cut out for apartment living.
Whether indoors or out, bears enjoy spending time with their humans and will be content with a few 30-minute walks or play sessions daily.
If you want to impose discipline and order on your dog, obedience training is a need. Make learning enjoyable for the students and use tactics for positive reinforcement, such as food prizes, games, and praise. Bearded Collies can’t learn in harsh or cruel environments.
Socializing With Children And Other Pets
Beardies make great playmates for kids because they are full of bounce, fun, and enthusiasm. Of course, it’s crucial to educate kids on the proper way to deal with dogs and to always keep an eye on any interactions between young children and dogs.
Teach your youngster never to disturb a dog when he is resting or eating or to attempt to take the dog’s food. With a youngster present, no dog should ever be left unattended.
If exposed to other dogs and cats at a young age, beardies get along well with them. However, they can be territorial with their toys.
They like cats that stand their ground rather than flake out and run since they always love a reasonable pursuit.
Feeding The Bearded Collie
The amount of food you feed your dog depends on your pets’ size, activity levels, age, and health condition.
However, the recommended daily amount of food for your pet is 1.5 to 2 cups of nutrient-rich food divided into two meals. Your puppies may eat 3 to 4 cups daily.
Grooming
Weekly brushing with a bristle or pin brush is necessary to eliminate mats and tangles from the Beardie’s long, double coat and minimize shedding. To lessen static and prevent hair breakage, mist the skin with a conditioning spray before brushing.
If you encounter any mats or tangles, spritz them with anti-tangle spray and work them out with your fingers until a comb can glide through the hair without resistance. Thoroughly brushing the coat every week takes 30 minutes to an hour. You can take a bath whenever you like.
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