Bearded Collie
The bouncing Beardie.
- Weight
- 45–55 lbs
- Height
- 20–22 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
In short
The Bearded Collie is a Scottish herding breed developed to drive sheep and cattle in the Highlands, weighing 45–55 lbs and living 12–14 years. It needs real daily exercise and hours of coat care each week, and it stays bouncy and puppyish for years.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a cheerful, bouncy hiking partner
- enjoy brushing and don't mind dog hair
- want to try herding or agility
Think twice if you…
- are out of the house most of the day
- want a quiet dog for an apartment
- have no time for weekly line brushing
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 110–125 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10
EnergyAthlete8.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.0/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Long double coat
A harsh outer coat over a soft undercoat mats fast without weekly line brushing.
-
02
Springing gait
Beardies bounce straight up when excited, so teach four-on-the-floor greetings early.
-
03
Peek-a-boo eyes
Hair falls over the eyes, so keep it tied or trimmed so the dog can see you clearly.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 50–55 lbs | 45–50 lbs |
| Height | 21–22 in | 20–21 in |
| Lifespan | 12–14 yrs | |
| Coat | Long, harsh outer coat over a soft, dense undercoat | |
Personality
Living with a Beardie means a clown with stamina: cheerful, vocal and always ready to go. They take a long time to grow up and will herd children, cats and guests if they're bored.
With kids
Good with kids and love to play, but may bump, bark at or try to herd running children. Supervise with toddlers.
With other pets
Generally friendly with other dogs and fine with cats they grow up with. The herding urge can make them chase.
With strangers
Usually outgoing and welcoming, rarely shy. Expect a bark at the door, then a wiggly greeting.
Alone time
Social dogs that do poorly with long days alone. Under-exercised Beardies bark and chew.
Training
Bearded Collies are smart but independent, bred to work sheep without step-by-step direction. They learn fast when training feels like a game and tune out repetitive drills.
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How often
3–5 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, spread through the day.
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Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Between 8–16 weeks, prioritize calm exposure to moving things (bikes, kids, cars) so herding stays manageable, plus daily handling for grooming.
-
Self-control
Calm greetings and an off switch matter most. Reward four paws on the floor before any attention, and practice settling on a mat after play.
-
What it works for
They work for play, praise and food in about equal measure. Mix small, high-value pieces with quick toy games, and keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
Built for all-day work in rough country, Beardies need sustained movement and a job that uses their brain, not just a walk around the block.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Long hikes or off-leash runs in safe areas
- Agility or hoopers
- Herding lessons with sheep
Brain work
- Herding instinct tests and trials
- Trick training with new cues each week
- Scent games and treat searches
Best home
Best with a fenced yard and active owners; apartment life only with serious daily outings.
Watch for A wet or matted coat traps heat and dirt, so dry and brush after muddy runs and watch for overheating in summer.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Bearded Collie (45–55 lbs) lands around 1,075–1,250 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,350–1,575 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 135–160 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–8 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,075–1,250 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,475–1,725 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 150–175 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–9 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 950–1,100 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–110 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,350–1,575 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 135–160 kcal | 7–8 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,075–1,250 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 110–125 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,475–1,725 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 150–175 kcal | 7–9 pieces |
| Senior | 950–1,100 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 95–110 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Beardies are generally hardy, but watch for hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism and Addison's disease. Choose a breeder who health-tests and know the signs of Addison's (lethargy, vomiting, weakness).
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | In breeding dogs; ask your vet if symptoms appear |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Bearded Collie breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Thyroid panel
Also recommended
- Elbow evaluation
Grooming Moderate, with a heavy coat change around 9–18 months
Line-brush down to the skin once or twice a week, daily during the adolescent coat change. Mist the coat before brushing, trim hair between pads, check ears weekly, trim nails every 2–3 weeks and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1700s–1800s
Highland drover
Shaggy herding dogs worked sheep and cattle in Scotland and were often called Highland or Mountain Collies.
1944–1950s
Post-war revival
Breed numbers were very low until Mrs. G. Olive Willison began a breeding program in 1944 that rebuilt the modern breed.
1977
Recognized in the US
The AKC recognized the Bearded Collie in 1977, and it now sits in the Herding Group.
Questions owners ask
Are Bearded Collies easy to train?
Moderately. They are bright and eager but independent, and they get bored with repetition. Keep sessions short, playful and varied.
Are Bearded Collies good with kids and other pets?
Usually, yes. They are friendly and playful with children and other dogs, though some try to herd running kids or chase cats. Supervise and teach calm play.
How much exercise does a Bearded Collie need?
About 90–120 minutes a day. They need long walks or runs plus a mental job like herding, agility or scent games.
Do Bearded Collies shed?
Yes, moderately, and grooming is a big job. Plan on thorough line brushing once or twice a week, more during the coat change at 9–18 months, or keep the dog in a shorter pet trim.
What health problems do Bearded Collies have, and how long do they live?
They typically live 12–14 years. The main concerns are hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, Addison's disease and some inherited eye problems, so ask for hip and eye results on both parents.
Is a Bearded Collie good for apartments or first-time owners?
Not usually. Their energy, barking and grooming suit active owners with space and time. A first-timer can do it with a training class and a real commitment to daily exercise.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Bearded Collie needs only 5–6 pieces a day, well inside the 110–125 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Bearded Collie ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Bearded Collie
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
