Bearded Collie illustration
Pastoral

Bearded Collie

These shaggy coated cattle herders are native to Scotland

Breed characteristics

Size
Medium
Exercise
Up to 1 hour per day
Size of home
Large house
Grooming
Every day
Coat length
Long
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
Over 12 years
Vulnerable native breed
Yes
Town or country
Either
Size of garden
Large garden

About this breed

For the last 500 years there have been dogs resembling the Bearded Collie as we know it today, a shaggy coated dog used for herding cattle and sheep in the Borders and Highlands of Scotland.

The first breed standard was drawn up in 1912 but the Beardie population was dwindling fast and by 1940s was very scarce. The revival of the breed came from a lucky accident. Mrs G Olive Willison asked a Scottish farmer for a working Shetland Sheepdog. The puppy she received turned out to be a Bearded Collie, which she names Jeannie. Mrs Willison, so taken with her bitch, searched for a mate for her, located a dog named Bailey in the South of England and thus were established the Bothkennar Bearded Collies, providing the foundation for the modern breed. In 1955 a new Bearded Collie Club was formed and The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1959.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Pastoral breed group

The Pastoral Group consists of herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Usually this type of dog has a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe conditions. Breeds such as the Collie family, Old English Sheepdogs and Samoyeds who have been herding reindeer for centuries are but a few included in this group.

 

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options. 

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours 

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

  • Black
  • Brown Tricolour
  • Black & White
  • Black Tricolour
  • Blue
  • Blue & White
  • Blue Tricolour
  • Brown
  • Brown & White
  • Fawn
  • Fawn & White
  • Fawn Tricolour
  • Grey & White
  • Grey Tricolour
  • Slate
  • Slate & White
  • Slate Tricolour

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Health

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

*The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

  • CEA/ CH (Collie eye anomaly/Choroidal hypoplasia) partner lab

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about our DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email 

Health (The Kennel Club)

 

Breed watch

Category 1        

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club's breed standard.

Read more about Breed Watch

Breeding restrictions

There are a number of The Kennel Club's rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.

More about breeding

There are not currently any additional breed specific restrictions in place for this breed.

Looking for a puppy?

Looking for a Bearded Collie? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.

More information

Need to find out more about a breed?

Use our Find a Club service where you can locate breed clubs that can offer support and advice.

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