Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie, often called the Beardie, is a medium-sized Scottish herding dog developed for moving sheep and cattle in rough, wet country. Its long double coat, shaggy eyebrows, and beard give it a casual look, but the breed was valued for stamina, bounce, and enough independence to work at a distance from a shepherd. Puppies may be born black, blue, brown, or fawn, often with white markings, and many coats lighten or change shade as the dog matures.

In homes, a Bearded Collie is usually sociable and comic, but it is still an active working collie. Daily exercise, recall practice, and outlets such as herding, agility, rally, or long walks help prevent nuisance barking and self-invented jobs. The coat needs combing all the way to the skin and careful drying after baths or wet weather, especially behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the legs. Breed-conscious buyers ask about hip, eye, thyroid, and autoimmune history.