Bearded Collie Breed Guide: Temperament, Care and Health

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

The Bearded Collie, or Beardie, is a shaggy, cheerful Scottish herding dog with a bounce in its step and a beard that collects everything. It is clownish, tireless and affectionate, and it keeps its puppyish spirit for many years.

Origins and appearance

Beardies are old Scottish sheepdogs, used for droving livestock over long distances. They are medium to large, lean and athletic, with a long, flat body, a shaggy double coat that parts down the middle, a bearded muzzle and a feathered tail. The coat comes in black, blue, brown or fawn, usually with white markings.

Temperament

They are bouncy, friendly and confident. They love people and adore play. They are intelligent and independent, with a sense of humor. They bark and may nip heels. They are generally good with children, but their size and energy can overwhelm small ones. They dislike being left alone.

Exercise

They need at least an hour of daily exercise, with running, play and training. They excel at herding, agility and obedience. They are happiest outdoors. A secure fence is needed.

Training

They are smart but exuberant and sometimes distractible. Use positive methods and keep sessions fun. Early socialization helps. Teach manners such as no jumping, a quiet cue and recall. See recall training guide.

Coat and grooming

The long double coat needs brushing several times a week to the skin, and professional grooming may help. See double coat dog grooming guide. Wash the beard after meals. Trim nails, clean ears and brush teeth.

Health considerations

Topics include:

• Hip dysplasia. See hip dysplasia in dogs
• Addison's disease. See Addison's disease in dogs
• Hypothyroidism. See hypothyroidism in dogs
• Eye conditions, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy
• Autoimmune conditions, including lupus
• Skin problems

Living with a Bearded Collie

They suit active families with space and time to groom. They are poorly suited to quiet homes.

A typical day

A Beardie wants a morning run, brushing, training, rest and an evening outing. Expect muddy beards and happy greetings.

Puppies and the first year

Puppies are exuberant and slow to mature. Begin socialization, handling and training. Introduce grooming early. See puppy socialization checklist.

Costs and commitment

Plan for grooming tools, food and vet care. See dog vet cost guide.

Seasons and travel

They tolerate cold well, but need shade and water in heat. They travel well when exercised.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include skipping brushing, underexercising, ignoring jumping and neglecting training.

Choosing a puppy or adult

Ask about hip, eye and thyroid testing, and the parents' temperaments. Ask about Addison's disease in the line.

Growing up slowly

Beardies often keep puppy behavior until they are two or three. Expect a long adolescence, with enthusiasm outpacing manners. Patient, consistent training, regular exercise and calm rewards help the dog grow into a steadier adult.

Is it the right breed for you?

A Bearded Collie suits active, humorous owners who want a shaggy, cheerful companion and will brush. It may not suit tidy homes or quiet owners. For a calmer collie, see the Rough Collie.

Muddy beards and coat habits

The Beardie's coat is a magnet for sticks, burrs and wet mud. After walks, many owners wipe the beard and legs, then give the dog a thorough comb at home. Keeping the hair around the feet and under the tail trimmed reduces the amount of debris carried into the house. A combination of a pin brush for the surface and a steel comb for the base layer prevents most mats, and brushing in layers, from the skin outward, is the safest method.

Games for a clown

Beardies love tug, chase and learning silly tricks. Teach a few: spin, bow and roll over give an outlet for exuberance and are good for bonding. Mix in calm activities such as scent games so that the dog learns to switch off as well as switch on.

The takeaway

Bearded Collies are bouncy, shaggy and loving, and they need exercise, grooming and patient training.