bearded collie they are better known as Beardies and they are the lovable dogs that appear in movies, TV shows and commercials because they are beautiful, agile, smart and brave. For the novice who is beginning the search for the perfect companion for his or her family dog, let me introduce you to this trainable breed. These dogs make excellent pets and friends, as well as show dogs.
My sister has bred these dogs for decades and her winning show dogs are well known in the Beardie community. There are few among them who do not know the appeal of Carol Scott Wathen. Top-hat, its current winner, known professionally as Ch. Brigadoon Showstopper in Scott, as his photos have appeared on the websites and newsletters of numerous Beardie organizations. Topper is just one of Carol’s ever-expanding and shrinking numbers, as litters come and go, and dogs will be out for training, handling and shows. As cliche as it is, I always refer to his usual number of six to eight Beardies as a “pack” as they are herding dogs and it always seems like he has a lot more dogs in my perception than he does in reality.
When I get to my sister’s house, the dogs come running into the car park, barking and trying to jump over the fence to see who’s here. On their two hind legs, bouncing in a row along the fence, the dogs look like a chorus of Chewbacca. If you’re not familiar with this race, this StarWars reference should give you an idea of what Beardies look like, at least with their forehead hair pulled back like Chewbacca’s. You can usually barely see a Beardie’s eyes.
the furry dog, a 2006 movie, stars a bearded collie and the title is an apt description of this lovable furry, long-haired breed. And in 2009, one played a leading role in Hotel for dogs. The bearded ones look like the Naughty daniel cartoon dog print. However, in the TV movie version, a Briard (French Sheepdog) was chosen for its similar appearance, but with more perky cropped ears.
The Beardie looks like he’s all coat. Its long coat makes the dog appear larger and heavier than it is. It is surprising, therefore, that adult Beardies only weigh an average of 40 to 60 pounds. Males average about 21-22 inches tall and females average just an inch shorter. Beardie’s coat enhances the dog’s shape, following the natural lines of the body. From the cheeks, lower lips, and under the chin, the fur increases in length towards the chest, forming the “beard”. Clever! This is a bearded collie, as defined by the American Kennel Club (AKC) guidelines.
All Beardies are born black, brown, or fawn, with or without white markings. As they mature, their color usually brightens. A baby born black can become a shade of gray, with fur ranging from black to slate gray to silver. A baby born brown can turn from chocolate to sandy. White appears on the front as a glow, as well as on the skull, chest and around the neck, legs and feet, and the tip of the tail.
The history of the Bearded Collie is centuries old, or at least according to one account. In this 500-year-old version, a Polish trader, Kazimierz Grabski, traded a cargo of grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514. He brought six Polish lowland sheepdogs to move the sheep. A Scottish shepherd was impressed with the herding ability of the Polish Hounds and traded several sheep for several dogs. Supposedly, Polish Sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs, which produced the Bearded Collie.
Recent history traces the breed back to 1944, when Olive Willison of Bothkennar, Scotland bred her brown dog, Jeannie of Bothkennar. Jeannie was considered a Shetland Sheepdog, but was actually a Bearded Collie of the Polish-Scottish bloodline of 1514. Jeannie, an olive breed, with a gray male dog, registered as Sheriff of Bothkennar. thus Bailie and Jeannie of Bothkennar became documented founders of the modern breed in Scotland, where there are also a few other registrable bloodlines.
The breed became popular during the latter half of the 20th century, when a bearded collie won Best in Show at the famous British Crufts Dog Show in 1989. The breed is also a regular winner at the great American Dog Show, Westminster, held In New York.
The Bearded Collie is essentially a herding dog, bred to tackle the toughest sheep or cows. Away from the pampered family dog depicted in the furry dog, The Bearded Collie is a tough and dependable working dog. The breed earned the nickname “Bouncing Beardie” because these dogs work in the thick brush on hillsides and jump out to see sheep. Barbudos also have a characteristic way of dealing with a stubborn sheep by barking and jumping on their front legs.
For a time, the KC-registered Bearded Collie fell out of favor with herders in Wales, Scotland, and elsewhere, as they criticized the show-breeding community for not producing truly “tough and dependable” Bearded Collies and that dogs bred in shows they tend to develop excessive coats. Due to his efforts, the “hardworking Beardie” has survived and is becoming more popular. Grazing programs have been developed in some countries, notably Sweden and the United States. Bearded Collie organizations now encourage breeders to emphasize herding qualities in addition to appearance. These favor the formation of an independent and intelligent shepherd dog. Herding instincts and malleability of Beardies can be tested in non-competitive herding trials, and young Beardies exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.
Of the many Bearded Collie organizations, the mission of the Working Bearded Collie Society is to preserve the working skills of unregistered working dogs of “bearded” ancestors. While not solely focused on the registered Bearded Collie, this organization reports all about the small population of working Beardies. His site is worth visiting to understand Beardie’s instincts. Also visit the Bearded Collie Club of America website. His mission is to treat breed-specific health issues and rescue Beardie. Provides a variety of opportunities for Beardie owners, their breeders, and anyone in the public to learn, connect, and compete in the process of Beardie breeding and ownership. This is a great place to start your search for a breeder and puppy of your own.
As a pet, the Bearded Collie requires some grooming of his coat and some time to keep this enthusiastic dog well-exercised, but he makes a loyal companion and a magnificent-looking dog. Whether you want a trainable show dog, or whether or not you want a herding dog, the Beardie is a dog that can be enjoyed on a farm or ranch, where you can exercise these natural abilities. Or you can keep this dog in the city, where you can find ample dog parks, herding training, and more. Additionally, this breed can also handle agility training and do some amazing gymnastics tricks. So see how you can make a Bearded Collie your best dog and a member of your family.
(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian