How to Identify A Bearded Collie

Bearded Collies or "Beardies", as they are more commonly known, are the result of a cross breeding between Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, that were imported to Scotland, and the native farm collies of the Scottish Highlands during the 16th century. This bouncing ball of matted fur and energy was the shepherd’s aid for centuries, hunting down and rounding up sheep that had wandered throughout the rocky and treacherous terrain of the Scottish Highlands. The species has always been considered a working dog and wasn’t paid much attention to until a Beardie won a British Dog Show Championship in 1959. Since then, this breed has become relatively common in cold climates throughout the world, as this dog was designed for freezing weather. Here is a guide on how to recognize a Bearded Collie should you see one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog
• Your eyes

1. Look at the dog’s fur since this is by far the most obvious trait. The dog has an incredibly thick and shaggy outer coat of wiry waterproof fur. Under this is a thick and soft coat designed to insulate the dog and retain its body heat. In most Beardies, this coat practically obscures all the animal's features although, unless the animal is an actual working sheepdog or a show animal, the coat will be buzzed short so the animal can be seen underneath and be kept clean more easily. The actual color of the animal’s coat depends upon the time of year. The Beardie sheds in the summer. The new fur is light cream, brown, blue, or grey. As the coat grows, and winter approaches, the fur will darken to black, brown, blue or tan.

2. Examine the dog’s general size and shape. The average Beardie is roughly two feet high at the shoulder and weighs anywhere between 45 and 50 pounds. Despite their heavy weight, the dogs are best described as lean, having a great deal of runner’s muscle in their upper legs. Their tails almost touch the ground and are only indistinguishable from the fur on their rear ends because they are constantly wagging. Their legs are typically shorter than one would expect, making them seem long bodied by comparison.

3. Check the dog’s head. It should have a large and very heavy skull out of proportion to the size of its body. The muzzle is wide and short, with a flat black nose. The Beardie has very large teeth, although they tend to be naturally dull or flattened. It’s believed this is because a well-bred sheepdog will not harm a sheep when it nips at one to keep it with the herd or get it moving. Their eyes are deep, widely set, and often match their coats in color. A Beardie’s ears will lie close to its head and flop forward over the top of its skill. If the dog matches this description then you’re definitely looking at a Bearded Collie.

Tips & Warnings

• Despite their appearance, Beardies are actually very lean and energetic. Their incredibly thick fur was needed to comfortably survive the harsh winters of northern Scotland. It also gives them the appearance of being much larger and heavier dogs than they actually are. Because of this breed's history as a working dog, they are very trainable and have a great deal of bounce. Beardies are actually capable of leaping well over a full grown man's head because of their powerful leg muscles. On the whole this breed is very happy and amiable; unfortunately part of that enthusiasm is translated into frequent loud barking. It is not a pet to keep in a crowded home or neighborhood.
• Do not ever keep a Beardie as an indoor dog. They need plenty of room to play and absolutely must be in contact and play with a person for several hours a day. Beardies are very people oriented and can easily become sick and depressed if they are left alone. If the dog is not being kept for shows, its fur should be cut short to avoid the problems of matted fur as well as preventing tangles of dirt and debris from getting re-deposited wherever the dog goes.

Resources

• List of Reliable Bearded Collie Breeders