The Bearded Collie or "Beardie" has also been called the Highland
Collie. This is an old herding breed with obscure beginnings. It has been
documented to have been in Scotland since the sixteenth century. They are
sheepdogs that have also been used for droving and as guard dogs. They were
registered by the American Kennel Club in 1976.
The Beardie is lighthearted and sometimes rambunctious. He is sociable and
charming and an ideal companion and family pet. He does need lots of exercise
and his coat does need frequent combing.
The Beardie has a flat head with a square skull. The muzzle and skull are
of equal length. The bite is scissors. He has arched eyebrows and wide-set
eyes that give him a humorous expression. The coat on the head is long and
naturally parts over the bridge of the nose to cover the lip line. Coat
from the cheeks is long enough to form the characteristic beard from which
he gets his name. He has medium sized drop ears that are set level with
the eyes and covered with long hair. He has a large angular nose. He has
a deep chest with strong, straight legs that are covered with long, shaggy
hair. The gait is free, supple and powerful and gives the impression that
the dog is gliding across the ground. He moves toward a single track as
his speed increases. His back is level. His body length is greater than
its height. The tail is low-set on a slightly curved croup. The tail is
long enough to reach the top point of the hock and is carried low with an
upward swirl at the tip. His entire body is covered with an abundant double
coat. The undercoat is soft and furry. The outer coat is harsh, strong,
thick and shaggy. There may be a slight wave in the outer coat but no woolliness
or curl. Accepted colors are gray, reddish fawn, black, brown, blue, and
sand, all with or without white markings. He resembles the Old English Sheepdog
but is smaller and lighter. The average height of the Beardie is between
twenty and twenty-two inches and weight is between forty and sixty pounds.
jlevinson@socal.rr.com of Los Angeles, CA writes:
A great breed for someone with a sense of humor.
I've owned Beardies for over ten years now. They are extremely intelligent,
and have a mind of their own. Definitely a sense of humor is needed with
them. They are a breed that needs a sense of purpose. Remember, they were
bred as a livestock herding dog, which means they aren't happy simply curled
up in the corner by the fireplace. A Beardie is extremely bright, fun loving,
and needs a sense of purpose.