Bearded Collie

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
As needed
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Independent + affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Paulette Finlayson (BONIBRAES)

bonibraes@internode.on.net
See Details
Breeder - Mrs Lynda Brandt (Keiramyst)

keiramyst@optusnet.com.au
See Details

History

According to legend, a Polish merchant taking grain to Scotland in exchange for sheep had six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs with him to move the sheep. The Scottish shepherd was so impressed with their ability that he traded a fine horn ram and two ewes in exchange for a pair of the dogs. They were bred with local dogs and two types of Beardies evolved. Those working along the border between England and Scotland were larger and had a long slate-coloured coat with straight, harsh hair. Those working in the Highlands were slightly smaller with a shorter, wavy coat, usually brown.

Characteristics

The Bearded Collie is active and light on its feet with movement that appears graceful, free and effortless. Its bright, enquiring expression is a distinctive feature of the breed, along with its shaggy, harsh coat. Males stand 53 to 56 centimetres at the withers; bitches 51 to 53 cms.

Essentially a working dog, the Bearded Collie was originally bred for its ability to stand up to harsh conditions and herd even the toughest sheep.

Boadie and Rafferty Woolcott - Dec 2010 lighter

stock-photo-bearded-collie-375151246.By Kate Grishakova Dreamstime

Temperament

The Bearded Collie has a strong sense of humour and craves approval. Slow to mature, the Bearded Collie is a class clown with a youthful disposition. Beardies thrive on human company and enjoy being involved in activities with the family.

Thanks to its energy and intelligence, the breed excels in agility, flyball and herding, although its independent spirit can make it a challenge to train in obedience.

Appearance

Underneath the coat, this breed boasts a well-constructed, athletic shape with a good spring of ribs and angulation. The skull is broad and flat, with strong muzzle and moderate stop. Eyes are oval, large and bright; ears are drooping, set on low, all contributing to the characteristic bright, enquiring expression.

Movement should be ground-covering with good reach and drive. Its natural exuberance means it bounces and clowns around, but given the time to settle it displays a lovely, easy, fluid action.

Beardies are born in four possible birth colours: black and brown with dilutes; blue and fawn, with or without white markings. As it grows its body coat ‘greys out’ and lightens before darkening again to match its ears and tail, which remain relatively dark. Adult coats can range from black, dark slate, steel blue, silvery blue, rich chocolate, reddish brown, fawn to sandy.

Maintenance

Beardies are excellent pets for those who make the effort to tackle their high energy level and grooming needs. It does shed, but a thorough brushing once a week should keep its coat in good condition and prevent matting.

A well-fenced yard is essential to keep a Beardie secure and regular walks maintain its physical and mental health.

Suitability

A loyal and family-friendly dog, the Beardie becomes a valuable member of the household.

The breed responds well to firm, confident and consistent instruction but its boisterous attitude and tendency for lateral thinking make it not entirely predictable. A solid sense of humour is an absolute must for anyone considering a Beardie. Bearded Collies are excellent pets for those who make the effort to tackle their high energy levels and grooming needs.

Health

With an average life expectancy of about 13 years, the Bearded Collie is a fairly healthy breed with very few hereditary problems. It does occasionally experience some auto-immune diseases, however, there is no testing available at present for this. Owners are encouraged to carry out whatever screening they can, including x-raying the hips and eye testing. It is important to note that Bearded Collies are not afflicted with the eye diseases that Collie (Rough) and (Smooth) and Border Collies are.

Words: Lynda Brandt on behalf of The Bearded Collie Club (NSW)
Photo supplied by Lynda Brandt

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Bearded Collie you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Bearded Collie and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 23 Jan 2015)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

A lean active dog, longer than it is high in an approximate proportion of 5-4, measured from point of chest to point of buttock. Bitches may be slightly longer. The breed, though strongly made, should show plenty of daylight under the body and should not look too heavy. A bright, enquiring expression is a distinctive feature of the breed.

Characteristics

The Bearded Collie should be alert, lively, self confident and active.

Temperament

The temperament should be that of a steady intelligent working dog, with no signs of nervousness or aggression

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The head should be in proportion to the size of the dog. The skull broad and flat and square, the distance between stop and occiput being equal to the width between the orifices of the ears. The muzzle strong and equal in length to the distance from the stop to the occiput, the whole effect being that of a dog with strength of muzzle and plenty of brain room. The stop should be moderate. The nose large and square, generally black but normally following the coat colour in blues and browns. The nose and lips should be of solid colour without spots or patches. Pigmentation of lips and eye rims should follow nose colour.
Eyes	The eyes should tone with coat in colour, be set widely apart and be large, soft and affectionate, but not protruding. The eyebrows arched up and forward but not so long as to obscure the eyes.
Ears	The ears of medium size and drooping. When the dog is alert, the ears should lift at the base level with, but not above, the top of the skull, increasing the apparent breadth of the skull.
Mouth	The teeth large and white, the incisors of the lower jaw fitting tightly behind those of the upper jaw. However, a pincer bite is acceptable.
Neck	Moderate length, muscular and slightly arched.
Forequarters	The shoulders should slope well back; a line drawn through the centre of the shoulder blade should form a right angle (90 degrees) with the humerus. The shoulder blades at the withers should be separated only by the vertebrae but should slope outwards from there sufficiently to accommodate the desired spring of rib. Legs straight and vertical, with good bone, and covered with shaggy hair all round. Pasterns flexible without weakness.
Body	The length of the back should come from the length of the ribcage and not that of the loin. The back level and ribs well sprung but not barrelled. The loins should be strong and the chest deep, giving plenty of heart and lung room.
Hindquarters	Well muscled with good second thighs, well bent stifles and low hocks. The lower leg should fall at a right angle to the ground and, in normal stance, should be just behind a line vertically below the point of the buttock.
Feet	Oval in shape with the soles well padded. The toes arched and close together, well covered with hair including the pads.
Tail	Set low, without kink or twist, and long enough for the end of the bone to reach at least the point of the hock. Carried low with an upward swirl at the tip whilst standing or walking, but may be extended at speed. Never carried over the back. Covered with abundant hair.
Gait/Movement	Movement should be supple, smooth and long reaching, covering the ground with the minimum of effort.
Coat	Double with the undercoat soft, furry and close. Outercoat flat, harsh, strong and shaggy, free from woolliness and curl, though a slight wave is permissible. Length and density of the hair should be sufficient to provide a protective coat and to enhance the shape of the dog, but not enough to obscure the natural lines of the body. The coat must not be trimmed in any way. On the head, the bridge of the nose should be sparsely covered with hair which is slightly longer on the sides just to cover the lips. From the cheeks, the lower lips and under the chin, the coat should increase in length towards the chest, forming the typical beard.
Colour	Slate grey, reddish fawn, black, blue, all shades of grey, brown and sandy, with or without white markings. Where white occurs, it should only appear on the foreface, as a blaze on the skull, on the tip of the tail, on the chest, legs and feet and, if round the collar, the roots of the white hair should not extend behind the shoulder. White should not appear above the hocks on the outside of the hind legs. Slight tan markings are acceptable on the eyebrows, inside the ears, on the cheeks, under the root of the tail, and on the legs where white joins the main colour.
Size	Ideal height at the shoulder:Dogs 53-56 cms (21-22 ins)Bitches 51-53 cms (20-21 ins)Overall quality and proportions should be considered before size but excessive variation from the ideal height should be discouraged.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.