There is a great deal of speculation as to the origins and ancestry of this great shaggy dog. Said to be one of Britain’s oldest breeds, some feel that he predates the Roman invasions while still others argue that he is a descendant of the Polski Owzcarek Nizinny (the Poland Lowland Sheepdog) and the Magyar Komondor dogs who came from Central Europe, as well as some mingling of various herding dogs found throughout the British Isles. The true history of this magnificent breed was overlooked by most, as he was not a breed common to the nobility but, rather, helped the herdsmen with their flocks. Escaping the notice of those who cared about ‘blooded’ animals, he instead made his place in the poor country villages, where he was bred not for his fancy lines but for his hardiness and his ability to perform the tasks that were required of him. In this environment, the Bearded Collie found his niche and thrived.

In 1818, a description of the Bearded Collie breed was published in “Live Stock Journal” and he began to gain more notice. Before long, Bearded Collies had become quite popular throughout Scotland, particularly in the southern part of the country, where they were prized both as working companions and show dogs. Unfortunately, the Bearded Collie had no breed club to establish a standard of perfection, and each judge went with his own opinion of what the breed should look like. This, coupled with the coming of World War I severely stagnated the show market of the Bearded Collie and, by the 1930’s, there were no longer any kennels that were breeding Beardies for show.

It is a testament to the breed’s ability to work, that he did not die out as many breeds did during this time. Able to survive the harsh and rainy climate of Scotland, as well as the rough and rocky terrain, the Bearded Collie had earned the respect and devotion of the herders and these hardy workers continued to thrive amongst the Peebleshire shepherds. Following World War II, the owner of Bothkennar Kennels, G.O. Willison, began to breed these magnificent dogs for the purpose of showing them, thus saving the Beardie from any further risks of extinction. In 1955, she put the idea in motion to start up the Bearded Collie Club and, by 1959, they were once again growing in popularity.

While the first Bearded Collies were introduced to the United States in the 1950’s, it wasn’t until 1967 that the first American-born Beardies came to be. 2 years later, enough people would have taken an interest in this unique and shaggy breed, that the Bearded Collie Club of America was founded and they were able to be registered within the AKC Stud Book by 1976.

Perhaps one of the first comments to come from anyone’s mouth, upon seeing their first Bearded Collie is to remark that he looks nothing like Lassie and the other dogs that the general public has come to recognize as a Collie dog. In fact, many people commonly mistake the Beardies for a smaller version of the English Sheepdogs. The truth of the matter, however, is that any sheep-herding dog in Scotland is known as a collie. Believed to have come from the black-faced, or Coaley, sheep that the dogs commonly tended, this explains why there are so many different varieties of Collie dogs, ranging from the Border Collie to the Beardie, and even with the Lassie-like Rough Collie thrown in.

Abandoning ones mental image of dogs that save Timmy from the well, the Bearded Collie is a medium built dog that is known for having a perfect mix of strength, stamina and agility. Capable of protecting his herd and dealing with uncooperative individuals, he is study enough to hold his own and yet light enough on his feet to keep up with even the most independent of ewes. His legs and straight and strong, yet the dog’s muscular form allows for a great deal of spring and bounce, making him nimble enough to traverse even the rocky terrain of Scotland’s slopes.

The Beardie should be between 20-21 inches at the shoulder, if female, and 21-22 inches at the shoulder if male. Dogs that are over or under the ideal height are severely penalized in the show ring, so breeding the ideal Beardie can be quite the exacting science! Healthy individuals usually weigh between 40-60 pounds as adults, though they tend to have the ability to bounce and jump to such a degree that one would swear they were light as a feather.

The most notable trait of the Bearded Collie is, of course, his coat. Carrying a long and dense coat of hair, from head to toe, he is the epitome` of the shaggy dog, right down to his generous beard beneath his chin (hence his nickname “Beardie”). This beautiful dog can be born in any shade of black, blue, brown or fawn, though their coats often lighten over time, and it’s not uncommon to find your Beardie doing a couple of different color swaps as his life progresses. Their eyes and pigmentation of skin are always harmonious with the color of the dog and limited white markings are permissible.

Ask any Beardie owner about the personality of their dogs and you’re likely to hear the same similar things - the Bearded Collie is a playful and joyous dog, a comical clown, a faithful and loving companion, and that almost all Bearded Collies love to bounce. This is an exuberant and happy-go-lucky breed that is always quick to jump up and greet you with slobbering kisses and a wagging tail. Beardies love their humans and make no attempts to curb their outward displays of affection. They are sweet and loveable mops who love to show it. Make no mistake, however, as the Beardie is also a protective companion who will bark to let his humans know of any intruders about. Whether his flocks are children or sheep, he takes his job very seriously.

If you’re thinking of getting a Bearded Collie, it’s important to realize that these are working dogs, despite their heavy coats and comical personalities. Bred for his working ability, these wonderful dogs tend to have a great deal of intelligence and energy. Most Bearded Collies require a fair amount of exercise, in order to keep them healthy and fit.

Exercising the Bearded Collie can be as simple as a few walks a day or a trip to the dog park, where he can run and roll in the grass, as well as socialize with other canine companions. Without proper exercise, your Beardie can become obese, as well as suffer from boredom, anxiety or hyperactivity, often leading to destructive behavior.

Beardies are a long-coated breed and, unless you’re planning on taking your Bearded Collie to the groomer’s for regular haircuts, chances are you’re going to be doing a fair amount of brushing. Training your Beardie puppy to enjoy his weekly grooming sessions will help to make brushing and combing out tangles much easier as your Bearded Collie grows. Since a Beardie puppy only needs a small amount of brushing, you can start out slowly and gradually work him into getting accustomed to longer and longer sessions. For best results, when grooming an adult Bearded Collie, section the hair off and brush small amounts from underneath up to the top coat. Starting at the ends of the coat and combing it out from the ends will make your job easier and help your Collie avoid having to deal with painful hair pulling.  Grooming an adult Bearded Collie, in full coat, usually takes an average of 30-60 minutes per week.

In addition to his weekly brushings, a Bearded Collie should be bathed at least once a month. You should also check his ears carefully, ensuring there is no buildup of hair on the insides or excessive dirt or ear wax. Check also for any redness, signs of tenderness or foul odor, which may require treatment. When you bathe your dog, also be sure to check his toenails and, if needed, clip them to ensure your dog is comfortable. Some Beardies will need their nails clipped every other week, while others only need a monthly trimming.

A very quick and intelligent dog, the Bearded Collie is often seen as being very difficult to train. While the combination of their intelligence, happy-go-lucky personality, and athletic ability makes them perfect dogs for agility training, getting these independent thinkers to work with you can sometimes be a chore. More than happy to just wander off on you, mid-lesson, the Bearded Collie will also react in a very stubborn manner to any who apply a heavy hand or stern voice. Persistence and a whole lot of patience are the best techniques to bring to these training sessions.  Be patient and try to remember that he doesn't mean to be impudent, but he's used to tending sheep, not rolling over and playing dead.

The Bearded Collie is a wonderful and loyal dog, dedicated to his owner and adaptable to his surroundings.  Known for their generous and giving natures, they are a determined breed and they love entertaining and pleasing their masters.  Few who have had the honor of knowing an Bearded Collie have anything ill to say about them.

However, knowing that a Bearded Collie is smart and good natured isn't always enough - it's important to also note that the Beardie is a very energetic dog as well as being very family-oriented.  If left alone for too long or ignored, he may turn to destructive behavior in an attempts to gain attention.  While a good pet, they are not for someone who has a busy or hectic life, nor are they the ideal companion for the couch potato.