Bearded Collie Types

The bearded collie breed is believed to have originated in Great Britain in the 1800s. It has a history of being a herd dog used on sheep farms and cattle drives. In more recent history, the bearded collie has been bred as a show dog and is also popular as a family pet. In the beginning, there were two different types of this breed. However, there is now only the standard bearded collie breed that is recognized.

  1. Types of Bearded Collies

    • The two original bearded collie types were the border and the highland varieties. The border had a somewhat wavy coat that was white and brown in color. The highland bearded collie had a coat that was white and gray. Over time these two types were interbred, and now the bearded collie only has one variety of the breed.

    Appearance

    • The bearded collie is a medium-build dog. It has muscular legs and is very strong and agile. The bearded collie is covered in long, shaggy hair. The head has a strong muzzle, and the eyes are large with arching eyebrows. The ears are hairy, medium-sized and hang freely. The beard of this dog is made up of longer hair hanging from the chin, lower lip and cheeks. The bearded collie may range in various shades of brown, black or fawn, with or without white blended in.

    Personality

    • The personality of the bearded collie is very friendly and outgoing. This dog enjoys being active and playful. Its friendly temperament makes it a favorite family pet, however it can be a bit overactive for playing with small children. It is eager to please its owner, but needs supervision to prevent it from getting into mischief. While the bearded collie does bark, it may not be suitable for a watchdog.

    Lifespan

    • The lifespan of the bearded collie is normally from 12 to 14 years. They don't usually have any major health problems. In rare cases, some may develop coronary heart disease, cataracts or epilepsy. It is a good idea to have the vet to keep a yearly check on the eyes, hips and heart of this breed.