Bearded Collies – Enterprising Herding Dogs

The Bearded Collie has only spread across Europe since the mid-20th century and is loved by owners for its independent and enterprising nature. With his light mustache and beady eyes framed by long hair, he looks friendly and is popular with all age groups. You can find out what makes the herding dog from Great Britain a suitable family dog in a brief overview of the dog breed.

How to Recognize the Bearded Collie?

Bearded Collies are covered all over with long, straight hair and a soft undercoat. Their actual body shape and facial features are hardly recognizable because of their thick fur – often only the black nose and tongue peek out of the fur bundles, which can be up to 56 centimeters in size. Bitches are slightly smaller than males with a height of 51 to 53 centimeters at the withers. The friendly eyes of the dogs are not covered by the well-formed growing eyebrows.

Characteristics of Bearded Collies at a glance

• The head is broad and square and the eyebrows are very prominent due to the long hair growth. Many dogs wear a white mask that extends from the larynx over the muzzle and forehead crease. The nose is well defined and can be black, brown, or grey.
• The floppy ears are set quite low and are not carried higher than the forehead. Due to the long hair on the ears, the head appears even broader in an attentive posture.
• The body is slightly elongated and the chest is very deep. Despite their long coat, the dogs appear slim and agile.
• The low-set tail is usually carried hanging with the tip erect or straight at the level of the back.
• Like the entire body, the tail is covered with long fur from root to tip.
• The soft paws are also completely hairy, even between the individual pads.

The special coat of the Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie’s trademark is its double-layered coat. Its topcoat reaches almost to the ground at the lower profile line of the belly and hangs slightly wavy down the whole body. The dogs are bred in many different colors:

• All basic colors except white are allowed for inbreeding, from black or gray to brown and sandy colors to blue and fawn.
• Two-colored dogs have white markings on the snout, forehead fold, chest, tip of the tail, underside of the body, back of the head (blaze), or neck (also as a collar).
• Merle coloring and piebald fur are not allowed in inbreeding.
• Tricolored Bearded Collies are also bred, they have light brown tan markings on the eyebrows, lips, paws, or on the transitions between white markings and basic color.

How is the Bearded Collie different from other dog breeds?

Bearded Collies differ from other herding dogs mainly in terms of their size and their independent character. The coat pattern of the long topcoat is also a clear identifying feature of the dogs. They have the longest hair among collies.

Origin of the Bearded Collies: The Dogs of the Pastures of Scotland

• According to various sources, long-haired herding dogs with the stature of Bearded Collies were herding sheep in Scotland as early as the 15th and 16th centuries.
• Unlike other herding breeds like the Border Collie, Bearded Collies did their work independently and could be left alone with the herds.
• The origin of the breed may be related to the import of the Polski Owsczarek Nizinny (the Polish lowland herding dog) by Scottish shepherds in the 15th century.
• Various German Shepherd breeds have been crossed, including the Tibetan Terrier, the French Briard, and the English Bobtail.
• Bearded Collies only became a breed in their own right after the end of World War II. Today they are recognized by American and European dog breed associations.

Nature and Character of the Bearded Collie

Bearded Collies feel comfortable in any weather and are very persistent. If the coat is cared for regularly, they have no problems even in hot temperatures and can be actively occupied for hours. Even heavy rain and frost do not bother them. No dog likes to be left alone, but this dog breed is used to keeping itself in a good mood and always looking for new activities. If you enjoy spending time outdoors and are looking for an intelligent and trainable dog, a Bearded Collie puppy might suit you.

Breed-typical characteristics at a glance

• Sensitive and fond of children
• Active and lively
• Intelligent and willing to learn
• Reliable and independent
• Adaptable and persistent

Shaggy helpers in everyday life

If a Bearded Collie is introduced to its later tasks as a puppy, it easily passes various work tests and can be used in different professional areas and as a service dog for people with physical disabilities. Despite their independent character, the dogs are very obedient and people-oriented. Because of their high intelligence, some Bearded Collies from companion dog breed lines are also used as therapy dogs. They are only too happy to take on the role of watchdog for children playing outdoors – but of course, Bearded Collies should not “guard” children without adult supervision.

A dog with a sensitive side

Because of their long history as herding dogs, Bearded Collies are generally suspicious of strangers. They always pay attention to their owner and adapt their behavior to the general mood in the pack. If you are afraid of another pedestrian, your Bearded Collie will probably react aggressively and his protective instinct will kick in. If you approach others in a friendly manner, your dog will relax. The dogs also perceive sadness or aggression and adjust their temperament accordingly. Be careful when consuming alcohol, medication, or psychoactive intoxicants: Your Bearded Collie notices every hormonal change and can be irritated by such strong influences and react inappropriately.