Bearded Collie

Beardie, Highland Collie, Hairy Mou'ed Collie
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Face-On View
3/4 View
Sideways View
Standing View

Summary

  • The Bearded Collie is a herding breed from Scotland, known for its shaggy coat, intelligence, and high energy levels. They are affectionate and playful family dogs that require regular grooming and a significant amount of daily exercise.

Origin and Purpose

  • Developed in Scotland to herd sheep and cattle, particularly in harsh terrain. Known for its intelligence and adaptability as a working farm dog.

Appearance

Dimensions

GenderHeightWeight
Female20-21 inches45-55 pounds
Male21-22 inches55-60 pounds

Coat

AttributeNotes
Color
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Brown
  • Fawn
  • Lilac
  • Gray
  • Sandy
  • Slate
  • White
  • with or without white markings
Type
  • Double, with a soft, furry undercoat and a long, shaggy, coarse outer coat
Length
  • Long

Care

AttributeNotes
Shedding
  • Moderate
Grooming
  • Regular, 2-3 times a week
Drooling
  • Low

Body

AttributeNotes
Head
  • Large and broad
Skull
  • Broad and flat
Ears
  • Medium-sized, hanging down
Eyes
  • Large, set wide apart, brown in color
Nose
  • Large, usually black, but follows coat color
Muzzle
  • Strong and of moderate length
Teeth
  • Scissor bite
Neck
  • Moderately long
Forequarters
  • Shoulders well-laid back
Fore Legs
  • Straight and well boned
Hindquarters
  • Well muscled
Hind Legs
  • Well-bent stifles
Feet
  • Oval, compact and well-padded
Tail
  • Moderately long, carried low with an upward swirl, may be carried gaily when excited
Gait
  • Free, smooth, and covering plenty of ground

Temperament

  • Intelligent, lively, and good-natured. Can be independent but is also eager to please its owners

Social

AttributeNotes
Affectionate with Family
  • Very affectionate
Good with Children
  • Generally good
Good with Dogs
  • Good, when properly socialized
Good with Cats
  • Generally good
Openness to Strangers
  • Friendly but can be reserved
Playfulness Level
  • Very playful
Protective Nature
  • Moderate
Adaptability Level
  • Adaptable to different living situations

Working Roles

  • Herding sheep
  • Cattle
  • Agility
  • Obedience
  • Search and Rescue
  • Therapy dog

Exercise Needs

  • High. Requires at least 1-2 hours of exercise per day.

Health

  • Generally healthy, but may be prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Additional Notes

  • Requires a lot of grooming to maintain coat health. Early socialization and training is important.

References