Bearded Collie

Height: 21 to 22 inches (male); 20 to 21 inches (female). Size: Medium.
Weight: 45 to 60 pounds (male); 35 to 50 (female). Availability: Difficult to find.

History:
The Bearded Collie is a descendant of the Polish Sheepdog (the Polski Owczarek Nizinny or PON) which was first introduced into Scotland in 1514 by a Polish sea captain who traded three of his dogs to a Scottish shepherd for a valuable ram and ewe. The dogs were bred with local herding stock and this formed the foundation for the Bearded Collie breed. For centuries, the Beardie was used in Scotland as a herder of both sheep and cattle, and was known variously as the "Highland Sheepdog", "Highland Collie" and the "Hairy Moved Collie". Collie is the Scottish word for herding dog, derived from the "colley" or "coaley" black-faced sheep. The name Bearded Collie comes from the long hair under the Beardie's chin that flows into the chest, forming a "beard". The Beardie's lovable personality and appearance make him an ideal companion and family dog. Still fairly rare in the United States, the first US litter of Beardies was whelped in 1967.

Description:
The Bearded Collie, or Beardie, as he is known to his fanciers, is a medium- sized strong, but agile, herding dog with a shaggy coat and an ever-wagging tail. He is an ancestor of the Old English Sheepdog, and the family resemblance is obvious. The Beardie has a broad head, short muzzle and a shaggy coat all over his body, even under the chin (hence the name "Beardie"). Beneath the dense, weather-proof outer coat lies a thick, soft undercoat. The ears lie close to the head and the tail is long and carried low unless the dog is excited. The Beardie is robust, hardy and active, but not massive. The color of the coat changes several times over the life of the dog. Puppies are generally born either black, brown, fawn or blue. The puppy coat then fades to light gray or cream. As the dogs reach maturity, they darken again to their adult coat in any of four colors, black, brown, blue or fawn. The final coat color is somewhere between the puppy coat and the yearling coat.

Notes:
Due to the long coat and fine undercoat, frequent, thorough grooming is recommended. Eyes, ears and paws should be checked daily. Requires plenty of exercise. Obedience training is a must, as Beardies think a lot and can be headstrong at times. Beware of hip dysplasia. Purchase puppies from OFA stock only.

Personality:
Known for his "bounce", the exuberant Beardie will charm you with his joyous, affectionate, happy-go-lucky ways. Playful and lively with an always wagging tail; the perfect companion for children. Enthusiastic, stable and self-confident. Males tend to be more bold and outgoing; females tend to be calmer and more submissive. The Beardie needs to be with people and not left alone without anything to do. Humorous and high- energy dogs. Very trainable for many activities.

Behaviour:
Children: Excellent with children.
Friendliness: Loves everyone.
Trainability: Easy to train.
Independence: Moderately dependent on people.
Dominance: Moderate.
Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.
Combativeness: Not generally dog-aggressive.
Noise: Average barker.

Grooming and Physical Needs:
Grooming: Extensive grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Medium long coat.
Shedding: Average shedder.
Exercise: Needs lots of exercise.
Jogging: An excellent jogging companion.
Indoors: Fairly active indoors.
Apartments: Not recommended for apartments.
Outdoor Space: Best with at least an average-size yard.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Good for novice owners.
Longevity: Moderately long lived (12 to 15 years).

Talents:
tracking, herding, watchdog, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks.