The Bearded Collie

A true working dog, the Bearded Collie traces its roots back to 16th Century Scotland. The Captain of a Polish ship arrived in Scotland to buy sheep; a local shepherd, impressed with the Captain's Polish Lowland Shepherds, offered two ewes and a ram in exchange for one male and two female dogs. These three dogs were crossed with the local Highland Collies and the result was the present-day Beardie. However, because the owners of the Bearded Collies were more concerned with the breed's ability to work and herd, the dogs were rarely shown. It wasn't until 1912 that a breed club was formed and it wasn't until 1944 that the breed was officially recognized in England. The breed first received recognition in Canada in 1970 and then a few years later in the States. Because the Beardie is such an active dog, it prefers its family to be an active, outdoors one.

Height: 21 - 22" (53.3 - 53.3cm) for dogs, 20 - 21" (50.8 - 50.8cm) for bitches

Weight: 40 - 60 lbs (17.9 - 26.8 kg)

Coat Type: The Beardie's double-coat consists of a short, soft undercoat and a harsher, flat outer coat. The long outer hair should hang straight down, and may be slightly wavy but not curly. The hair is shorter on the nose and cheeks but increases in length towards the neck and chest, thus creating the

Temperament: Because the Bearded Collie was first and foremost a working dog, its temperament should reflect the qualities of intelligence, stamina, alertness, and confidence. It makes a fun-loving and active family member.

Classifications:
AKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
FCI: Group 1
ANKC: Group 5 - Working Dogs