Like many working breeds, the Bearded Collie has evolved over hundreds of years to perform specialised tasks in the service of humans. For the Bearded Collie this evolution continued to be based on their performance as working sheep and cattle dogs until 1949 when a Mrs. Willison searched for and found good examples of the Bearded Collie of Scotland and bred the first litter which forms the foundation of the pedigree of all pure bred Bearded Collies today. It is possible that the very early origins of the Bearded Collie may be found in the Polish Lowland Sheepdog. This connection is not documented and for centuries the Beardie was bred by the sheep farmers of Scotland for their agility, stamina, hardiness and sheep herding instinct with no concern for recording their history as long as they were good working dogs. Their thick shaggy coat kept them warm and dry in the harsh winters, while their lithe but strong build enabled them to work easily on the rugged mountain areas of the Scottish Highlands, using a certain independent style to seek out lost and stray sheep on the craggy hills. While herding they use a distinctive circling technique, barking at the stock to intimidate them into moving along. Some times they were used as drovers dogs with sheep and cattle taking their charges to market. As you would expect they were also companions for the farmers and it is easy to imagine them sharing the fireside at the end of a hard cold days work.
CARE & MAINTENANCE
Before we proceed with specific information we would like you to realise that Bearded Collie Breed Clubs have the responsibility to our beloved breed to try and ensure that EVERY Bearded Collie lives in a happy loving home. With this in mind the information we have provided here does not try to "sell" you our breed, (the dogs can do that themselves) It is intended as an accurate portrayal of life with a Bearded Collie.
GLAMOUR
Let's start with the Beardies' most obvious attribute first, the beautiful coat. Most people ask whether the coat takes a lot of work to keep it looking glamorous. The answer to this question is both yes and no. Compared with a smooth coated dog a Beardie does need consistent and frequent grooming, but unlike some long coated breeds a thorough brush and comb through once a week will keep an adult Beardie in pretty good style. However this does mean once a week, not once a month. Bathing, is a matter of personal preference, brushing removes most dirt and dust from the coat but some people like to bath their dogs and this does not harm the coat even on a weekly basis. Another important aspect to coat care is ensuring your Beardie does not have a flea problem. Naturally fleas cause dogs to scratch and this very quickly spoils the appearance of a Beardies' coat and causes tangles which need to be brushed out, it is therefore essential for a very strict flea control program to be maintained. This is probably the most important secret to keeping a Beardie looking good. Of course, if a Bearded Collie is kept as a show dog, a lot of care and attention goes into preparation and grooming for the show ring. But basically the rules are the same, keep your dog flea free, groom every single week, keep him/her happy and in good health and your Beardie will bloom.
TEMPERAMENT
Initially it was probably the beautiful appearance of The Bearded Collie that attracted you, but once you have met one you will be won over completely. As a breed they are generally happy, lively, energetic, affectionate family dogs. Visit a Beardie at home and you may well find them curled up on the couch or helping out in the kitchen. They love to be where the action is and are easily adaptable to almost any situation. Most of all Beardies love company, and will not be happy locked outside and ignored for weeks. Unless your dog is to be a member of your family, the Bearded Collie is probably not the dog for you. Some Beardies can be easily excited, while others are extremely placid. Typically the breed is very affectionate and expects a lot of loving attention. There are always some exceptions, but do not expect a Bearded Collie to be much of a guard dog, they may bark at the door bell but will probably welcome burglars like your best friend. Beardies are very sensitive dogs, they will not respond well to harsh treatment. Like sensitive children they need to be understood to be disciplined effectively. Hitting and yelling will achieve nothing with a Beardie, they will simply keep away from you until you come to your senses. When you are calm, firm and persistent you will find they quickly respond to training. At the same time you will find Beardies have a very strong will and soon take advantage of you unless you set the rules clearly. Some are very slow to come to maturity and continue with juvanile behaviour well past one year of age. Most Beardie owners find this part of the charm of the breed but it can be exasperating at times. Many Bearded Collies are competing successfully in obedience competition, showing the combination of beauty and brains Beardie owners are proud of. This is an enjoyable option for owners that don't necessarily want to show their dogs but would like to be involved with a dog "hobby". Beardies, have a unique style in "Obedience" and the rough handling and bullying methods of training used for German Shepherds for example will not suit a Bearded Collie. It takes commitment and persistence but is a lot of fun for both owner and dog. Your best guide to the temperament of the breed is to meet and talk to Beardie owners. They are usually as friendly as their dogs and love to talk about their pets.
HEALTH
Bearded Collies, as a breed, appear to be free from any major problems caused by inherited diseases. They are a "natural" unexaggerated breed which probably accounts for their robust health and longevity. Many Beardies live well into their teens and maintain excellent health. The Bearded Collie Clubs encourages breeders to breed from only the very best examples of our breed and our numbers and breeders generally seem to have adopted a very responsible attitude to breeding, limiting numbers of litters and using the best quality breeding stock. There will always be individual cases of health problems but Beardies can boast of a very good record in this area.
HOW TO BUY A BEARDED COLLIE
If you have read through our brief outline of Bearded Collie ownership and would like further information on the breed or would like help in locating a Bearded Collie for sale, please feel free to contact the Club closest to you. Some are listed below.
Occasionally, older (not puppy age) Beardies are listed for re-housing. Circumstances vary and thankfully this does not happen very frequently but you may consider this when making enquires about buying a Beardie.
