Bearded Collie facts for kids
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| Other names | Highland Collie Mountain Collie Hairy Mou'ed Collie |
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| Common nicknames | Beardie | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin | Scotland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bearded Collie, also called a Beardie, is a type of dog known for herding sheep. These dogs originally helped Scottish shepherds. Today, they are popular family pets.
Bearded Collies usually weigh between 18 and 27 kilograms (40 to 60 pounds). Male Beardies are about 51 to 56 centimeters (20 to 22 inches) tall. Female Beardies are usually 51 to 53 centimeters (20 to 21 inches) tall.
Contents
History of the Bearded Collie
The story of the Bearded Collie mixes facts with old tales. One story says that in 1514, a Polish merchant named Kazimierz Grabski traded grain for sheep in Scotland. He brought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs to help move the sheep.
A Scottish shepherd was very impressed by how well these dogs herded. He traded some sheep for a few of the Polish dogs. These Polish sheepdogs were then bred with local Scottish dogs. This mix is believed to have created the Bearded Collie.
Most people agree that the modern Bearded Collie breed started in 1944. A woman named Mrs. G. Olive Willison had a brown female dog named Jeannie of Bothkennar. She thought Jeannie was a Shetland Sheepdog, but it turned out to be a Bearded Collie by accident.
Mrs. Willison loved the dog so much that she wanted to start breeding them. She looked for a male dog for Jeannie. One day, she met a man on the beach who was moving from Scotland. She got his grey dog, David, who later became Bailie of Bothkennar.
Bailie and Jeannie of Bothkennar are seen as the parents of the modern Bearded Collie breed. There are only a few other family lines that can be officially registered. These were saved thanks to Mr. Nicolas Broadbridge and Mrs. Betty Foster. Their dogs came from Turnbull's Blue, a working Bearded Collie.
The breed became very popular in the second half of the 1900s. A Bearded Collie named Potterdale Classic at Moonhill helped this popularity. This dog won "Best in Show" at the famous Crufts dog show in 1989. The Bearded Collie Club celebrated its 50th birthday in 2005. Bearded Collies are also known for being good-natured. They make great family pets, working dogs, and show dogs.
Bearded Collies as Family Pets
The Bearded Collie is the 117th most popular breed in the United States. This is according to the American Kennel Club's yearly ranking of dog breeds. If you want a Bearded Collie, it's best to get one from a good breeder or a dog rescue group.
There are special rescue groups for Beardies, like Beardie Collie Rescue. These groups help find loving homes for puppies and adult dogs that need them. Most Bearded Collie breeders are very careful when breeding and raising their puppies. They also make sure the puppies go to good homes. Because of this, Bearded Collies are seen as a "natural" or "unspoiled" breed.
Bearded Collies make wonderful pets if you can handle their high energy. They are very excited and playful dogs. They also need regular grooming. You must brush their long hair every week to stop it from getting tangled. Some owners choose to give their Beardies a "puppy cut" haircut. This helps reduce the need for brushing, but doesn't get rid of it completely.
Bearded Collies are an energetic breed. They were first used to herd sheep in the Scottish Highlands. They are also very good at dog sports like treibball (herding large balls), dog agility, and Obedience trials. A loyal and friendly dog, the Beardie can bring many years of joy to a family. They are smart problem-solvers and fun to watch.
When training Beardies, they can be a bit independent. They will learn what you teach them, but maybe not in the exact way you expect. A common challenge for new Beardie owners is that these smart dogs can get bored quickly if training is too much the same.
Working Life of a Bearded Collie
The Bearded Collie was used to herd both sheep and cattle. It is truly a working dog. They were bred to be strong and dependable. They could handle harsh weather and tough sheep.
The working Bearded Collie became less common in recent years. It was at risk of disappearing. However, thanks to shepherds like Tom Muirhead and Peter Wood, the "working Beardie" has survived. It is now becoming more popular again. These dogs have been sent to Australia and the United States. People who want a smart and independent sheepdog like them.
The Working Bearded Collie Society works to keep the herding skills of these dogs alive. They focus on working dogs from "bearded" ancestors that are not officially registered. The website "Shepherds with Beardies" has a lot of information about the small group of working Beardies.
Some shepherds in Wales and Scotland prefer not to use Bearded Collies from show-dog lines. This is because show breeders often focus on looks, like very long coats. This can make the dogs less "hardy and reliable" for working. However, in some countries, like Sweden and the United States, special herding programs have been started for the breed. Dog organizations in these countries encourage breeders to focus on skills, not just looks.
The Bearded Collie might have earned its nickname "bouncing Beardie" for a few reasons. One idea is that they would bounce to see the sheep over thick bushes on hillsides. Beardies also have a special way of dealing with a stubborn sheep. They bark and bounce on their front legs.
No matter the reason, a typical Bearded Collie is an excited herding dog. They need clear guidance and care. They move animals using their body, barks, and bounces when needed. Most Beardies do not use "eye" when working, meaning they don't stare intensely at the sheep. Instead, they stand upright.
You can test a Beardie's natural herding skills in special non-competition tests. Dogs that show basic herding instincts can then be trained to compete in herding trials.
Bearded Collies in Movies and Plays
- The role of Nana in the first play of James Barrie's Peter Pan was played by a Bearded Collie.
- A Bearded Collie named Coal was in the 2006 movie The Shaggy Dog, starring Tim Allen.
- Ralphie, a Bearded Collie, appears in the 2009 movie Hotel for Dogs.
See also
In Spanish: Collie barbudo para niños
