Most people look up the Bearded Collie when they’re weighing up a shaggy, high-energy family dog: how big they really get, what their coat is like to live with, and whether the breed’s health and exercise needs fit an ordinary week.
Beardies are steady, bright herding dogs from Scotland with a soft undercoat and a weather-resistant outer coat that can turn into knots if it’s neglected. They thrive on movement, training, and company, and they do best with owners who enjoy the daily rhythm of walking, brushing, and thinking a step ahead.
Bearded Collie snapshot
Size (height at the shoulder): Dogs 53–56 cm; bitches 51–53 cm.1
Build: Lean, active, slightly longer than tall (roughly 5:4), with plenty of “daylight” under the body.1
Coat: Double coat (soft undercoat with a harsher outer coat).2
Temperament: Alert, lively, self-confident; should be steady with no signs of nervousness or aggression.1
Lifespan: Often quoted around 12–14 years (individuals vary with genetics, health screening, and care).
History and origin
The Bearded Collie is a Scottish herding breed, shaped by the needs of hill farms where dogs worked in rough weather and over long distances. Accounts of the breed’s beginnings vary, but a commonly repeated story links shaggy European sheepdogs (including Polish Lowland Sheepdogs) with local Scottish working dogs, producing the type that later became the modern Bearded Collie.3, 4
What’s steady across sources is the purpose: a capable, biddable herding dog that could keep moving, keep thinking, and keep its coat through cold and wet.
Physical characteristics
Beardies look like windblown practicality: bright eyes under a fall of hair, a body built for stamina rather than bulk, and a coat designed to shrug off weather rather than sit neatly for photos.
Colour can include slate grey, reddish fawn, black, blue, and various shades of grey, brown, and sandy, often with white markings in specific places under the breed standard.1
Temperament: what they’re like to live with
A well-bred, well-raised Bearded Collie is typically social and upbeat, quick to notice patterns in the household and quick to invent their own entertainment if the day goes quiet. The breed standard describes a steady, intelligent working dog—alert and active, without aggression or nervousness.1
Many Beardies enjoy training and dog sports because it gives their brains somewhere to go. Without that outlet, they can drift into nuisance behaviour—often not “naughty”, just under-occupied.
Grooming and coat care
The coat is one of the main deal-breakers for this breed. It’s beautiful, but it’s not self-managing. A double coat can mat close to the skin if brushing is skipped, particularly behind the ears, in the armpits, around the collar line, and through the feathering.
- Brush and comb routinely: Aim for several sessions a week, more during shedding or if your dog swims, hikes, or collects burrs.
- Check the “high-tangle zones”: Behind ears, under collar/harness points, armpits, groin, and tail.
- Bathe when needed, not on a rigid schedule: Clean coat tangles less; damp, dirty coat tangles more. Dry thoroughly after baths and swims.
- Build handling skills early: Calm grooming is easier when it’s practised from puppyhood, in short, reward-based sessions.
Regular grooming also gives you a quiet, practical health check—skin, ears, lumps, grass seeds, and parasites.6
Exercise and mental stimulation
Bearded Collies are active dogs. They usually cope best when exercise isn’t just a lap around the block, but a mix of walking, sniffing time, play, training, and (where safe and legal) off-lead running.
General welfare guidance for dogs emphasises daily exercise and play, alongside training that provides mental stimulation and helps prevent problem behaviours.6
- Daily movement: One walk rarely feels like enough for this breed type; many need multiple outings or a longer, more engaging session.
- Give them a job: Recall games, scent games, basic obedience, agility foundations, trick training, or herding-style activities.
- Plan for adolescence: Energy and distractibility often surge; consistency matters more than intensity.
Training: what works best
Beardies are typically quick learners, but they’re also observant and easily reinforced by whatever “works” in the moment—jumping up, pulling, or inventing their own games. Reward-based training is widely recommended because it is enjoyable for dogs and supports learning without intimidation.6
Keep sessions short and frequent. Use food, toys, and real-life rewards (like sniffing a tree or greeting a friend) to make the right choices feel worthwhile.
Health: common concerns and sensible screening
No breed is immune to health problems. In Bearded Collies, responsible breeding commonly involves screening hips, eyes, and thyroid, and making results accessible through formal programs where possible.7, 8
Some issues you’ll hear discussed include:
- Hip dysplasia: A developmental problem of the hip joint that can lead to arthritis and pain; severity varies widely, and management ranges from weight control and medication to surgery in some cases.9
- Eye disease (including progressive retinal atrophy types): A group of inherited retinal degenerations; routine eye examinations are part of many breed screening programs.10
- Thyroid disease: Thyroid testing is commonly included in breed health recommendations and parent-club screening requirements.7, 8
If you’re choosing a puppy, ask to see current documentation for hip and eye screening and thyroid testing, and ask how often those tests are repeated across the dog’s life.7, 8
Living conditions: space, fencing, and daily management
Beardies don’t require a farm, but they do require secure containment and enough daily activity to keep their bodies and brains settled. General guidance for dog owners stresses that all dogs must be securely contained, and that exercise and stimulation need to match the dog’s type and energy levels.5
A securely fenced yard helps, but it’s not a substitute for walks, training, and attention. A bored herding dog can become a surprisingly creative escape artist.
Rescue and adoption (Australia)
Bearded Collies do appear in rescue, often because their coat care and exercise needs outstrip what an owner can realistically provide long-term. Before adopting, think carefully about your weekly capacity for grooming, training, and daily exercise, and speak openly with shelter or rescue staff about the individual dog’s needs and history.5
Breed standards and recognition
In Australia, the Bearded Collie is recognised with a published breed standard that covers structure, temperament, and accepted colouring and markings, as well as the ideal height range.1
Final thoughts
The Bearded Collie is at its best when life has a steady pace: a morning walk with time to sniff, a little training, a coat kept free of mats, and a home that enjoys an active dog moving through it. Meet a few adult Beardies if you can. Ask blunt questions about grooming time, shedding, and adolescent energy. The right match feels less like a leap, and more like a calm recognition.
References
- Dogs Australia (ANKC) – Bearded Collie breed standard
- The Kennel Club (UK) – Bearded Collie breed standard
- Bearded Collie Club of America – “Genesis” (breed history discussion)
- American Kennel Club – Polish Lowland Sheepdog history (mentions link to Bearded Collie)
- RSPCA Pet Insurance (Australia) – Considerations when choosing a dog
- RSPCA Pet Insurance (Australia) – Essential dog care information
- Bearded Collie Club of America – Litter listing guidelines (health test requirements)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) – CHIC program overview
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Hip dysplasia in dogs
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Progressive retinal atrophy (background information)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom