Bearded Collie
About the Bearded Collie
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 20-22" |
| Weight | 45-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
High - Daily
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,600/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Bearded Collies may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Bearded Collie
The story behind the Bearded Collie
Shaggy herding dogs have worked Scottish hill country for centuries, gathering and driving sheep and cattle across rough ground in wet, cold conditions, and the Bearded Collie descends from that working population, with Polish Lowland Sheepdog influence often suggested through historic trading contact. The type was a working farm dog rather than a recorded breed for most of its history. Interest in preserving it grew during the twentieth century, and a British breeding programme from the mid-1900s, built around a small number of working-bred dogs, established the modern show breed, with recognition following in Britain and later the United States. Working strains persisted separately on Scottish farms. Today the Bearded Collie is chiefly a companion and show dog, moderately uncommon, with a small number still herding.
Originally bred for: Herding, Droving, Farm work. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Bearded Collie
An active shaggy herding dog does well on a quality adult food supporting coat condition and sustained energy, adjusted to actual workload. Because the coat completely obscures body shape, weight should be judged by hand, and beards benefit from bowls that keep hair clear of wet food.
Watch for: No universal breed-specific intolerance is documented, though long facial furnishings mean food residue trapped in the beard can cause irritation that mimics a dietary reaction. Herding breeds fairly often show itchy skin from mixed causes. Any suspected sensitivity is best worked through with a veterinarian.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Bearded Collie
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.