The Bearded Collie is a descendant of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog which was brought to Scotland in 1514 by a Polish sea captain that traded his dogs with a Scottish shepherd. For centuries, it was used as a cattle and sheep herder.

The Collie comes from the Scottish word colley that means herding dog. This breed almost disappeared in the 20th century, but it was rescued in 1944. The Bearded Collie is still unpopular and very rare in the United-States.

The Bearded Collie can be black, fawn, brown or blue, with or without white markings. As the dog grows up, its color may lighten.

The Bearded Collie’s outer coat is straight, strong, harsh and bushy. The coat naturally falls to each side of the dog and the undercoat is soft and furry. The Beardie’s hairs are dense and very long. The top of the nose is partially covered with hairs that are longer on the sides. Hairs are longer on the lower lips and under the chin as to form its beard.

The Bearded Collie has a charming personality that will surly please its master. Cheerful and affectionate, the Beardie is a perfect companion for children and the family. It is very playful, lively and has a happy-go-lucky attitude. This dog is extremely enthusiastic and humorous which makes it a dog that can’t be left alone all day; they need a human’s presence. They are stable and self-confident, never aggressive or shy; they are not great watch dogs even if they tend to be noisy barkers. This breed is highly energetic and needs a master that will do some activities with it.

The Bearded Collie is generally a healthy breed. However, they can sometimes be prone to hip dysplasia and their coat may be infested with parasites.

It is important to mist the coat lightly with water before the daily brushing of the Beardie’s coat. An extra care should be taken when the dog is shedding. Check out for mats before they get bad and also check the eyes, the ears and the paws daily. The coat should be regularly checked for ticks as it is extremely dense. Bathe or dry shampoo only when needed.

Obedience training is very important for this dog as it is intelligent and stubborn, a combination that will find a trainer dealing with a dog that does as it wills. An experienced trainer is therefore suggested.

The Bearded Collie is a highly energetic breed and needs daily occasions to work out the excess energy.