Bearded Collie
A bouncy, cheerful Scottish herding dog with a long shaggy coat and a lifelong sense of fun.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 53–56 cm · Females 51–53 cm
- Weight
- Males 20–27 kg · Females 18–23 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, long
- Colours
- Black, Blue, Grey, Brown, Fawn
- Bred for
- Herding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 271 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 5/5 – Very high |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 4/5 – High |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a friendly, sociable dog for an active home
- enjoy brushing and coat care
- like a dog with a sense of humour
Think twice if you …
- want a tidy, low-maintenance coat
- prefer a quiet, reserved dog
- cannot offer daily exercise
Care
Temperament
Bearded Collies are outgoing, enthusiastic and affectionate. They are usually friendly with strangers and other dogs. Their independent herding streak can make them a little stubborn.
Exercise
Give at least an hour a day of varied exercise, including free running. Herding, agility, rally and long country walks suit them.
Grooming
The long double coat needs thorough brushing a few times a week down to the skin to prevent mats. Coat changes in young dogs can be especially tangly.
Training
Bright but independent, and easily bored by repetition. Keep sessions playful, reward generously and stay patient through a long adolescence.
Health
Bearded Collies are generally healthy; hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and some autoimmune conditions are seen at times. Breeding dogs are usually hip and eye screened, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Bearded Collie comes from the Scottish hills, where it worked sheep and cattle in rough, wet country, moving stock with its body and voice rather than by staring them down. It nearly died out as a show breed, and much of today's population descends from a pair re-established by Mrs G. O. Willison after the Second World War.
Beardies are bouncy, sociable and full of humour. They tend to like everyone and enjoy family life, though they can be boisterous and slow to fully mature. The long coat is a real commitment, and the breed needs plenty of exercise and company.
Did you know?
Bearded Collie puppies are often born dark and their coat usually lightens as they grow, before deepening again in adulthood.