Bearded Collie

Also known as: Highland Collie, Mountain Collie

The Bearded Collie comes from the Scottish highlands, where it herded sheep through harsh weather, and takes its name from the heavy facial hair that gives it a bearded look. One popular account traces the breed to the 16th century, when Polish traders brought low-set sheepdogs that were crossed with local Scottish herders. The long, shaggy double coat needs regular brushing, often several times a week, or it mats quickly. Temperament runs playful and high-energy, keeping a strong need for movement even when raised in a city rather than on a farm. A male weighs up to 27 kilograms, agile and built for a full day's outdoor work. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Bearded Collie: how old in human years?

51–56 cmHeight
18–27 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Dutch Shepherd Dog

FCI group: Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
FCI section: Section 1: Sheepdogs
FCI: 271
Country of origin: United Kingdom

Energy level

4/5
Trainability

4/5
Family friendly

5/5
Grooming need

5/5

At a glance

Height

Males 53–56 cm

Females 51–53 cm

Weight

Males 18–27 kg

Females 18–27 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

double coat, shaggy, harsh outer coat (long)

Temperament & Family Life

Bearded Collie's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is high.

Family friendly 5/5
Good with children 5/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 4/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Bearded Collie's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 4/5
Exercise need 4/5
Apartment friendly 2/5
Prey drive 2/5
Hunting instinct 1/5

Guarding & Alertness

Bearded Collie's guarding and alertness traits are moderate.

Guarding instinct 2/5
Watchfulness 3/5
Barking level 3/5

Grooming & Care

Bearded Collie's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 3/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 5/5

Living with the Bearded Collie

A Bearded Collie does not walk into a room, it bounces in. It wakes up in a good mood, greets you as if you had been apart for a week, and a few minutes later is carrying the lead over, if it can reach it. This is a cheerful, sociable herding dog that loves children, gets on with other dogs and greets strangers kindly, if a little cautiously. As a guard it is hopeless: an intruder is more likely to meet a wagging tail than a growl.

It needs real exercise: long walks, off-lead running where it is safe, ball games or agility. A small flat will feel cramped, and without enough to do it will put its energy into the furniture or into loud opinions about life. It learns willingly and quickly but has a sense of humour and sometimes decides its version is more fun than yours, so keep training lively and varied. At the end of the day a muddy, happy, tired Beardie curls up at your feet, and that is when all those hours with the brush start to look like a bargain.

Grooming and coat

A Bearded Collie's coat comes in two layers: a long, harsh, slightly wavy topcoat over a soft, dense undercoat. The undercoat is the one that mats, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, on the chest and inside the hind legs, so brush right down to the skin, layer by layer, at least once a week and preferably more. A quick pass over the top will look lovely and hide felt underneath. The hardest stretch is when the puppy coat gives way to the adult one: mats appear overnight and the brush needs to be within reach every day. The colour can change with age too, so don't be surprised if your puppy looks like a different dog once grown.

The beard and moustache drip after every drink and collect whatever the meadow had to offer, so wipe them and pick out the grass seeds. While you brush, look at the skin: it should be clean, with no redness or scabs. The hair over the eyes should not irritate them, and the eyes themselves should stay clear, without discharge. Once a week, lift the hairy, folded ears and check that the inside is clean and does not smell, and trim the hair between the toes so mud and snowballs have less to cling to.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Under all that hair is a lean, muscular herding dog built to run Scottish hillsides all day, and the Bearded Collie tends to stay active well into old age. A few health areas are worth knowing about: the joints, the adrenal glands and the eyes. A thick coat can hide changes, so get into the habit of feeling your dog, not just looking, and let regular vet check-ups pick up what the eye cannot.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a fault in how the hip joint forms as the puppy grows: the parts do not fit snugly, they rub unevenly, and the joint wears over time. You might see your dog getting up stiffly after a rest, giving up on jumping onto the sofa, or running with both hind legs pushing off together like a rabbit. Under a heavy coat a change in gait is easy to miss, so ask the breeder about the parents' health testing and talk any doubts through with your vet.
Addison's disease

In Addison's disease the adrenal glands make too little of the hormones the body needs to cope with stress and keep its salt balance steady. The signs are vague and come in waves: the dog goes off food, vomits, has diarrhoea or seems tired, then perks up again, so it is tempting to blame an upset stomach. Recurring bouts with no clear cause deserve a vet's look, and sudden weakness or collapse needs a vet immediately.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

PRA is an inherited disease in which the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, slowly wastes away and sight fades over the years. It shows first in dim light: the dog is reluctant to go into a dark garden in the evening, hesitates on the stairs, or bumps into things it walks around by day. A Bearded Collie's eyes hide under its fringe, which makes early changes easy to miss; if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 305 g of dry food a day, from €16,70 a month For a neutered, normally active 22,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog