Bearded
Collie
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 Description:
The origin of the Bearded Collie may have come
from the Magyar Komondor of Central Europe, however,
there is also a theory this breed descended from
the lowland Polish Sheepdog. To support this theory,
documented records indicate that in 1514, Polish
traders brought two lowland Polish Sheepdogs to
Scotland. But, it is just a theory that suggests
these dogs were then bred with local Scottish
dogs to produce the Bearded Collie. The first
documented description of the Bearded Collie breed
was not published until the early 19th Century.
The Bearded Collie is an energetic and devoted
herder of sheep and cattle in the rough terrain
of Scotland. Known as Highland Sheepdog, the Highland
Collie, and the Hairy Mou'ed Collie, it was also
nicknamed Beardie and is one of Britain's oldest
breeds.
In the early part of the 20th Century, the Bearded
Collie just about disappeared. However, after
WWII, Mrs. G. 0. Willison, owner of the Bothkennar
Kennels was fascinated by the these dogs started
breeding them for show purposes. In 1955, she
established the Bearded Collie Club in Britain.
Once the Kennel Club in England accepted the breed,
its popularity began to increase. Bearded Collies
were introduced to the United States in the 1950s,
but none were bred. It was not until 1967 the
first litter of Bearded Collies were bred in the
US.
In 1974, The AKC allowed the Bearded Collie to
be eligible to be shown in the Miscellaneous Class
and in 1977, it was eligible to compete in the
Working Group. Once the Herding Group was established
in 1983, the Bearded Collie became a breed within
this group.
The Bearded Collie's best known talents include
herding, agility, performing tricks and competitive
obedience.
Height:
The height for a Bearded Collie is 20-22
inches (51-56cm.) Females are just a little shorter
than males.
Weight:
Bearded Collies weight approximately 40-66 lbs.
(18-27 kg.)
Coat Type: The
Bearded Collie has a long, shaggy coat which protects
against wet and cold weather. The outer coat is
harsh and shaggy while the undercoat is thick
and soft. The length of the coat is longer on
the lower lip, cheeks and under the chin and lengthens
toward the chest. This creates the characteristic
beard of the this breed. The Bearded Collie is
an average shedder. Daily brushing (not combing)
is necessary in order to help prevent matted hair.
Color:
The color of the Bearded Collie's coat
can be lack, brown, fawn, blue; with or without
lighter markings. Tan trim may occur on all colors.
Temperament:
The Bearded Collie is an enthusiastic, high-energy,
lovable dog. They do very well with children and
love to be indoors with family. Bearded Collies
are playful, charming, alert and easy to train.
This breed is a noisy barker, but is not a watchdog.
Bearded Collies are not aggressive or shy.
Health Problems:
The Bearded Collie is generally a healthy breed.
The most common causes of death among in the UK
were old age, cancer, cerebral vascular, and chronic
kidney failure. Leading causes of death of Bearded
Collies in the USA and Canada were old age, cancer,
kidney disease, cerebral vascular, and Addison's
disease. UK and USA/Canada surveys also indicate
the median age of a Bearded Collie is 12.8 years.
However, the median age for this breed in the
UK is 13.4 years while the median age in the US/Canada
is 12 years.
Special Interests:
The Bearded Collie can be seen in a 1771 Gainsborough
portrait of the Duke of Buccleigh as well as a
1772 Reynolds portrait. These portraits are the
earliest known pictures of this breed.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 7 - Herding Group
ANKC: Group 5 Working Dogs
CKC: Herding Group
KC: Pastoral Group
NZKC: Working
UKC: Herding Dog Group
FCI: Group 1 ; Section 1 - Sheepdogs
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