Pastoral group · Scotland
Bearded Collie
Also called Beardie, Highland Collie, Mountain Collie.
What makes them remarkable
A post-war revival helped save this shaggy Scottish cattle and sheep herder from disappearing.
- Smart
- Bouncy
- Charismatic
- Active
- Hardy

- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 20 to 25 kg45 to 55 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 14 years
- Energy
- High
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training a Bearded Collie
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Coat Care
Start here
Significant grooming commitment, train puppy to accept brushing early.
Independent Thinkers
More independent than other herding breeds, requires patient, consistent training.
Keep It Fun
Bouncy, exuberant personality responds best to upbeat, game-like training.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Bearded Collie and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersHigh
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 1.5-2 hours daily. Active play, running, and outdoor activities.
- Grooming
- High maintenance. Daily brushing to prevent matting.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Long, Shaggy, Double coatBlack, Blue, Brown, Fawn, All with White Markings
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint condition affecting mobility
Hypothyroidism
Mild
Thyroid hormone deficiency
Addison's Disease
Moderate
Adrenal insufficiency requiring lifelong treatment
Where they come from
History
Ancient Scottish breed used to herd sheep and cattle in the Highlands. Nearly extinct after WWII but revived by Mrs. G.O. Willison who found a pair in 1944.
- Cole · Best in Show winner at Westminster 1989
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