Bearded Collie

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Bearded Collie
Bearded Collie 600.jpg
Other names
  • Highland Collie
  • Mountain Collie
  • Hairy Mou'ed Collie
Common nicknamesBeardie
Origin Scotland
Traits
Height Males
53–56 cm (21–22 in)
Females
51–56 cm (20–22 in)
Weight
18–27 kg (40–60 lb)
Coat long double coat with furnishings
Colour black, blue, brown, or fawn with white or tan markings
Litter size 4-12 pups
Kennel club standards
The Kennel Club standard
Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog ( domestic dog )

The Bearded Collie, also called Beardie, Highland Collie, or Hairy Mountain Dog [1] is a British breed of herding dog of collie type. It was formerly used primarily by Scottish shepherds, [2] but now commonly kept as a family companion.

Contents

Weights are usually in the range 18–27 kg (40–60 lb), while height at the withers varies from about 51 to 56 cm (20 to 22 in). [3]

History

Photograph from about 1915 Bearded Collie from 1915.JPG
Photograph from about 1915

The legend of the Bearded Collie's origin is that the ancestors of what is today the Polish Lowland Sheepdog were abandoned on the shores of Scotland, and these dogs then bred with native herding dogs. [4] A variant on this story is that Kazimierz Grabski, a Polish merchant, reportedly traded a shipment of grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514 and brought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs to move them. A Scottish shepherd was so impressed with the herding ability of the dogs that he traded several sheep for several dogs. [5] The Polish sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs to produce the Bearded Collie. [6]

The first written reference to the Bearded Collie occurs in 1891, [7] when D.J. Thomson Gray describes them in his book The Dogs of Scotland as

A big, rough, ‘tousy’ looking tyke, with a coat not unlike a doormat, the texture of the hair hard and fibry, and the ears hanging close to the head.

It is generally agreed that Mrs. G. Olive Willison founded the modern show Bearded Collie in 1944 with her brown bitch, Jeannie of Bothkennar. [8] Jeannie was supposedly a Shetland Sheepdog, but Mrs. Willison received a Bearded Collie by accident. She was so fascinated by the dog that she wanted to begin breeding, so she began searching for a dog for Jeannie. While walking along the beach, Mrs. Willison met a man who was emigrating from Scotland; she became the owner of his grey dog, David, who became Bailie of Bothkennar. [7] Bailie and Jeannie of Bothkennar are the founders of the modern show breed. [6]

The last non-Kennel Club registered sire whose offspring received registration was Paul Turnbull's Blue, born in 1978. [9] Turnbull's Blue was of pure working stock, registered to the International Sheep Dog Society on merit in 1984. [10]

While the registered breed lines can be traced to a limited number of bloodlines, there are still many unregistered Bearded Collies in Scotland, some still working as herding dogs. [7]

The breed became popular during the last half of the 20th century—propelled, in part, by Potterdale Classic at Moonhill, a Bearded Collie who won Best in Show at Crufts in 1989. [1] The Bearded Collie Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2005.[ citation needed ]

As pets

With a toy rope Bearded collie and a rope.jpg
With a toy rope

The Bearded Collie ranks 140 out of 202 breeds in popularity in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club's yearly breed ranking. [11] A Bearded Collie is best obtained from a reputable breeder or a dog rescue. [12] [13] There are Bearded Collie rescue associations, such as Bearded Collie Rescue. [14]

As they were bred to be herders, Bearded Collies have a high energy level, and those kept as pets require vigorous exercise. It is recommended that a pet Bearded Collie have at least two half-hour play sessions per day, [15] and that they have a large garden to roam in. [16] They also require regular grooming; weekly brushing is mandatory for keeping their long hair mat-free. Bearded Collies that are not being shown can be clipped all over (a "puppy cut") [17] to make grooming easier, though this can result in the dog looking little like the normal appearance. [18]

Bearded Collies are intelligent, and can compete in obedience trials. Obedience Champion Scapa, trained by Jenne Wiggins, was the first Bearded Collie obedience champion. [19] They are also frequently seen in agility, flyball, and freestyle competitions. [20]

Working life

Herding sheep BoomtownDalwhinnie.jpg
Herding sheep

The Bearded Collie is used to herd both sheep and cattle. It is essentially a working dog — bred to be hardy and reliable, able to stand up to the harshest conditions and the toughest sheep. The Bearded Collie is classified as a Vulnerable Native Breed by the Kennel Club. [16]

Herding instincts and tractability can be assessed in noncompetitive herding tests. Bearded Collies exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials. [21]

Health

A three-year-old dog BeardedCollie.jpg
A three-year-old dog

Mortality

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.9 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds. [22]

Leading causes of death amongst Bearded Collies in a 2004 Kennel Club survey were old age (26%), cancer (19%), cerebrovascular disease (9%), and chronic kidney failure (8%). [23]

Morbidity

Further existing breed dispositions of the Bearded Collie include: Dermatological conditions, such as pemphigus foliaceous and black skin disease, follicular dysplasia, musculoskeletal conditions such as congenital elbow luxation, ocular conditions, such as corneal dystrophy, cataract and generalized progressive retinal atrophy (GPRA). [24]

Hypoadrenocorticism

Hypoadrenocorticism (also known as Addison's disease) is an inherited disease in Bearded Collies, although the mechanism of inheritance is not known. [25] It occurs when the adrenal cortex produces insufficient glucocorticoid and/or mineralocorticoid hormones. It affects approximately 2–3.4% of Bearded Collies in the USA/Canada, [26] and causes the death of at least 1% of Bearded Collies in the UK. [27] These are much higher percentages than for the general dog population (0.1%), and hypoadrenocorticism causes a disproportionate number of deaths among young dogs. [26]

References

  1. 1 2 Morris, Desmond (2001). Dogs: The ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds. North Pomfret, Vermont: Trafalgar Square Books (published 2008). pp. 461–463. ISBN   978-1-57076-410-3.
  2. ↑ Joyce., Collis (1992). The complete bearded collie . Jones, Pat. New York: Howell Book House. ISBN   087605131X. OCLC   25245755.
  3. ↑ "Bearded Collie: Dog Breed Selector: Animal Planet". Animal Planet. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  4. ↑ FCI Breed Standard
  5. ↑ "NZKC - Breed Standard - Bearded Collie". New Zealand Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
  6. 1 2 Wilcox, Bonnie (1989). Atlas of dog breeds of the world. Internet Archive. Neptune City, N.J. : T.F.H. Publications. ISBN   978-0-86622-899-2.
  7. 1 2 3 "History of the Bearded Collie". Bearded Collie Club of America. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  8. ↑ "Brambledale Bearded Collies | True Beardie Type?". Spanglefish.com. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  9. ↑ Williamson, Joanne (September 2020). "Bagpipes: Extra Edition" (PDF). Bearded Collie Club.
  10. ↑ Hancock, David (2014). Dogs of the Shepherds: a review of the pastoral breeds. Crowood Press. p. 81. ISBN   978-1-84797-808-0.
  11. ↑ Haid, Melanie (20 March 2025). "The Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2024". akc.org. Archived from the original on 6 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Breeders | Bearded Collie Club of America". Beardedcollieclub.us. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  13. ↑ "How to Find a Good Dog Breeder : The Humane Society of the United States". Archived from the original on November 22, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Rescue | Bearded Collie Club of America". Beardedcollieclub.us. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  15. ↑ Gold, Carol (2000). Bearded Collies: A complete and reliable handbook. Neptune City, New Jersey: T.F.H. Publications.
  16. 1 2 "Bearded Collie". The Kennel Club . Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  17. ↑ Kim, Jessica (3 March 2025). "What is a Puppy Cut: History & Grooming Tips". Dogster .
  18. ↑ McKinney, Betty Jo (1997). Beardie Basics and Beyond: The complete guide. Loveland, Colorado: Alpine Publications. p. 54. ISBN   0-931866-78-2.
  19. ↑ Harcourt-Brown, Bryony (2000). Bearded Collie. ISBN   1-902389-35-2.
  20. ↑ "Bearded Collie". Westminster Kennel Club . Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  21. ↑ Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy; Taylor, Ty (2010). Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN   978-1-57779-106-5.
  22. ↑ McMillan, Kirsten M.; Bielby, Jon; Williams, Carys L.; Upjohn, Melissa M.; Casey, Rachel A.; Christley, Robert M. (2024-02-01). "Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death". Scientific Reports. 14 (1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: 531. Bibcode:2024NatSR..14..531M. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. ISSN   2045-2322. PMC   10834484 . PMID   38302530.
  23. ↑ Adams, V. J.; Evans, K. M.; Sampson, J.; Wood, J. L. N. (2010-10-01). "Methods and mortality results of a health survey of purebred dogs in the UK". Journal of Small Animal Practice. 51 (10): 512–524. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.00974.x. PMID   21029096.
  24. ↑ Gough, Thomas (2008). Breed predispositions to disease in dogs and cats. Oxford, UK: Wiley. p. 23. ISBN   978-1405107488. OCLC   53231203.
  25. ↑ Scott-Moncrieff, JC (2014). "Chapter 12: Hypoadrenocorticism". In Feldman, EC; Nelson, RW; Reusch, CE; Scott-Moncrieff, JCR (eds.). Canine and feline endocrinology (4th ed.). Saunders Elsevier. pp. 485–520. ISBN   978-1-4557-4456-5.
  26. 1 2 "1996 Bearded Collie Health Survey. Presented as part of the BCCA Health Committee Annual Report for 1997–1998. (But report suggests survey was not sponsored by BCCA. Not clear exactly who to cite.). Although called a 1996 health survey, the data apparently come from surveys submitted in 1997 and 1998". Beaconforhealth.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2007.
  27. ↑ "Purebred Breed Health Survey 2004 • The Kennel Club". Thekennelclub.org.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
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