Bearded Collie

Breed overview

The Bearded Collie, also called Beardie, Highland Collie, or Hairy Mountain Dog is a British breed of herding dog of the collie type. It was formerly used primarily by Scottish shepherds, but now commonly kept as a family companion. Weights are usually in the range 18 - 27 kg, while height at the withers varies from about 51 to 56 cm.

• Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
• Country of origin: ScotlandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• The legend of the Bearded Collie's origin is that the ancestors of what became the Polish Lowland Sheepdog were abandoned on the shores of Scotland, and these dogs then bred with native herding dogs.
• A variant on this story is that Kazimierz Grabski, a Polish merchant, reportedly traded a shipment of grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514 and brought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs to move them.
• A Scottish shepherd was so impressed with the herding ability of the dogs that he traded several sheep for several dogs.
• The Polish sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs to produce the Bearded Collie.
• The first written reference to the Bearded Collie occurs in 1891, when D.J.

Size and appearance

The Bearded Collie is a medium sized dog with a lean build. Dogs stand from 53-56 cm (21-22 in) and bitches stand from 51-53 cm (20-22 in). Healthy adults can weigh anywhere from 18-27 kg (40-60 lb), according to the breed standard. The Bearded Collie has a medium length, double coat with a soft, furry and close undercoat and a flat, harsh, strong, and shaggy outercoat. They come in a variety of colors, including black, blue, brown, and fawn, permissible with or without white markings, which may be accompanied by slight tan markings in certain areas.

• Body mass reference: 18 - 27 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 18 - 27 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 51 - 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 51 - 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 51 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
• Height reference: Up to 53 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
• Height reference: 53 - 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 53 - 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: Up to 56 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
• Height reference: 53 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: long
• Coat length: medium
• Coat texture: shaggy
• Height category: tall
• Height category: medium
• Weight category: medium
• Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

Exercise and activities

The Bearded Collie is used to herd both sheep and cattle. It is essentially a working dog , bred to be hardy and reliable, able to stand up to the harshest conditions and the toughest sheep. The Bearded Collie is classified as a Vulnerable Native Breed by The Kennel Club. Herding instincts and tractability can be assessed in noncompetitive herding tests. Bearded Collies exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: long
• Coat length: medium
• Coat texture: shaggy

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

The Bearded Collie ranks 140 out of 202 breeds in popularity in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club's yearly breed ranking. A Bearded Collie is best obtained from a reputable breeder or a dog rescue. There are Bearded Collie rescue associations, such as Bearded Collie Rescue. As they were bred to be herders, Bearded Collies have a high energy level, and those kept as pets require vigorous exercise. It is recommended that a pet Bearded Collie have at least two half-hour play sessions per day, and that they have a large garden to roam in. They also require regular grooming; weekly brushing is mandatory for keeping their long hair mat-free.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

The legend of the Bearded Collie's origin is that the ancestors of what became the Polish Lowland Sheepdog were abandoned on the shores of Scotland, and these dogs then bred with native herding dogs. A variant on this story is that Kazimierz Grabski, a Polish merchant, reportedly traded a shipment of grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514 and brought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs to move them. A Scottish shepherd was so impressed with the herding ability of the dogs that he traded several sheep for several dogs. The Polish sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs to produce the Bearded Collie. The first written reference to the Bearded Collie occurs in 1891, when D.J.

Clubs and further reading

• Bearded Collie Club of America, Inc.
• Bearded Collie - article and references

Sources

1. Bearded Collie - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Bearded Collie, revision 1368873408. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bearded_Collie&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:Bearded Collie 600.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Bearded Collie 600.jpg - Sannse. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bearded_Collie_600.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.