Bearded collie

Overall description of the breed

The Bearded Collie is a breed of sheepdog that originated in Scotland. Its history goes back several centuries, but its exact origins remain somewhat of a mystery. It is thought that the Bearded Collie's ancestors were brought to Scotland by merchants from central Europe in the Middle Ages. These sheepdogs were then crossed with local breeds to create the Bearded Collie as we know it today.

The Bearded Collie was specially developed for herding and guarding sheep in the mountainous and hilly regions of Scotland. They were highly prized for their intelligence, agility and stamina, which enabled them to herd and guard sheep in the harsh conditions of the Scottish Highlands.

The breed gained popularity in the early 20th century as a versatile working dog. However, after the Second World War, the Bearded Collie was almost extinct due to the decline in sheep farming and the economic difficulties of the time. Fortunately, a small group of passionate breeders worked hard to preserve the breed and bring it back to life. The modern Bearded Collie is the result of their dedicated efforts.

Bearded Collies are elegant and athletic. They have a distinctive appearance with their long, wavy coat and full beard, which gives them their name. They have a double coat of different colours, including black, grey, brown and blue. The Bearded Collie's eyes are large, round and expressive, giving the breed a friendly, intelligent air.

As for their character, Bearded Collies are gentle, sociable and affectionate dogs. They are very attached to their families and enjoy spending time with them. They are also highly intelligent and are renowned for their ability to learn quickly and solve problems. As sheepdogs, they have a herding and protective instinct, which means they can be good herding dogs and good guard dogs for the home.

The Bearded Collie is also an active dog that needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and balanced. They love to play, run and take part in outdoor activities with their family. They are also adaptable and can cope well with life in town or country, as long as they get regular exercise.

In terms of weight and size, Bearded Collies are medium to large dogs. Their average weight is around 18-27kg (40-60lb) for males and 16-23kg (35-50lb) for females. Their height is generally between 51 and 56 cm (20 to 22 inches) for males and between 51 and 53 cm (20 to 21 inches) for females at the withers.

The Bearded Collie's founding breed club is the Bearded Collie Club, founded in Scotland in 1912. The Bearded Collie was definitively recognised by the FCI in Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, excluding Swiss Cattle Dogs) on 30 August 1967 and the most recent update of the official standard in force was published on 3 November 2014. Since then, this charming and versatile breed continues to be enjoyed by many dog lovers around the world.