Mary Allen
The Bearded Collie, also called “Highland Collie” or “Mountain Collie” elsewhere, is a fluffy herding dog from Scotland. Although his herding instinct will probably never dry up completely, these days he is mostly kept as a friendly companion and family dog.
FCI group 1: herding dogs and cattle dogs.
Section 1 – Shepherd Dogs
Without a work test
Country of origin: Great Britain
Size:
Males – 53-56 cm
Females – 51-53 cm
Use: Shepherd and companion dog.
#1 Written documentation of a breed of dog from the Scottish Highlands resembling the Bearded Collie dates back to the 16th century.
Exactly which dog breed it remains a matter of speculation - a likely candidate is the Polish herding dog breed Polski Owczarek Nizinny (in English "Polish lowland herding dog").
A relationship with the Tibetan Terrier, the Old English Bobtail, and the French Briard/Berger de Brie is also assumed.
#2 They have long been bred in Scotland and the north of England and used to herd sheep in the highlands. Therefore, they are still known today under the names “Highland Collie” or “Mountain Collie”.
The Bearded Collies were well protected against the bad weather conditions with their characteristically shaggy fur.
