Bearded collie
Bearded collie is a medium-sized, long-haired shepherd with a spectacular appearance. Very good family companion due to innate cheerfulness, balance and low aggressiveness. Medium-tempered dog, physically fit and susceptible to training.
Nature
Bearded collie is a dog for whom contact with people is extremely important. He must feel loved and considered a member of the family. The rejected beardie is one of the most unhappy creatures. This does not mean, of course, that you can’t leave it alone when you leave for work. However, from time to time he needs to get his portion of tenderness – preferably when we get back from this job. Beardie does not show aggression towards people and animals.
Skills
Bearded collies were once herding cattle dogs, but are now rarely used in this role. The modern bearded collie is no longer a working dog, but a great companion. It is also an impressive show dog. He does not have a strong pastoral instinct, but he has kept a great sense of belonging to the herd, a great desire to work with people and a good temperament.
Training and education
Bearded collie is easily raised and learns the basics of obedience thanks to his human-centered attitude and gentleness. However, you must remember that it is a demanding breed in two respects – first, it needs a lot of contact with people, and secondly – it requires regular care. Like a dog with great temperament and intelligence, he needs a lot of movement and mental activities. However, it is not hyperactive, it will adapt to the urban lifestyle if we provide it with long walks. Perfect for dog sports, such as agility, obedience or dancing with a dog, willingly swims and runs by bike.
Like all collies, this dog misses strength training methods (punishment), screaming and mental pressure. He is very sensitive to voice intonation and emotions. She responds well to positive methods based on prizes and praises. Requires a wise, sensitive guide.
Who is this race for?
Even a novice owner can handle the raising of this dog. Suitable for both singles and families with children. However, it is advised not to take this breed for people who stay outside the home a lot, who will not have time for the dog, and for those in the house who will not want to give him long walks. Bearded collie can be recommended as an ideal family companion with already grown-up children or for working but quite active people who will find time for the dog.
Advantages and disadvantages
Bearded collie – what is it like? Learn its pros and cons!
Disadvantages
- needs a lot of movement and activity
- his robe requires regular care
- sensitive, badly tolerates so-called hard hand
- sound phobia often occurs in dogs of this breed
Advantages
- delectable family companion
- easy to raise
- willing to cooperate, you can do dog sports with him
- friendly towards people and animals
Health
Generally, the Bearded Collie is a healthy and resistant breed. Like other larger dogs, it may have a tendency to hip and elbow dysplasia. There are hereditary eye diseases, e.g. CEA. Beardie can also develop autoimmune diseases, the most common being hypothyroidism and the adrenal cortex.
Feeding
Bearded collies have a fairly delicate digestive tract, so it is recommended to make any changes in your diet carefully. They also tend to be obese.
Care
If you do not neglect the regular care of your coat, it is not very bothersome. However, you need to be aware that combing once a week takes about an hour. If we do it less often, you need to prepare for a few hours of occupation. On long hair, a dog can bring a lot of dirt into the house. For hygiene reasons, it is good to bathe a dog of this breed once a month. Your toddler should be accustomed to skincare treatments so that there is no problem with that later.
Accessories
To care for a bearded collie coat you will need: a hairbrush, a metal brush – a box (without caps), metal combs, buckles for attaching fur, scissors or a small machine to cut fur on the stomach and inside of the thighs. The coat should be brushed after spraying with the conditioner.
History
Bearded collie, or “bearded collie,” is considered one of the oldest British breeds. Shaggy shepherds were known on the Islands as early as the 17th and 18th centuries. As working dogs, they were bred for utility, not appearance. Little is known about their origin. The best-known theory says that the ancestors of this shag are Polish lowland sheepdogs .
There is a record from the 15th or 16th century about the purchase of three PONs accompanying a flock of sheep brought from Poland to Scotland. The dogs were so delighted that they were bought along with the sheep. Another theory is that the bearded collie ancestors came to the Islands along with the Romans who brought sheep. They were accompanied by shepherds and dogs from the Pyrenean Peninsula and northern Africa.
Beardie can be related to many races mainland shaggy sheepdogs, such as PON, pool, bergamasco , Pyrenean Sheepdog , Catalan and others, widespread in Europe. Like them, and unlike border collies , these dogs do not use the hypnotizing “eye” at work, but work with voice and from a closer distance.
The breed is very popular in Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Scandinavia, the Czech Republic and the USA.
Template
Bearded collie – group I FCI, section 1, reference number 271
- Country of origin: Great Britain
- Character: smart, energetic, confident and active; composed, intelligent working dog, without a trace of aggression or nervousness; friendly and gentle, he will not be a watchman
- Size: dogs 53-56 cm, bitches 51-53 cm
- Weight: not specified in the standard, approx. 20-25 kg
- Coat double-layered, with a soft, fluffy and thick undercoat; the coat is coarse, hard and hairy, not woolly or curly, although acceptable is slightly wavy; the coat should be thick and long enough to have a protective function and emphasize the shape of the body, but not plentiful enough to blur the dog’s silhouette – that’s what the pattern says, but today’s beardie has a very long coat
- Color: bearded collies are born in one of four colors: black, chocolate, blue or isabella; with age, most dogs brighten strongly; each coat is usually accompanied by white markings, so-called Irish (arrow on the head, collar, belly, paws and tail tip); some dogs have arson, usually poorly visible
- Lifespan: 12-14 years
- Weather resistance: high
Interesting facts
Working bearded collies are still bred in Great Britain – from the most popular, i.e. in the exhibition type they are usually distinguished by shorter, more coarse hair. Some of them are registered in the ISDS (International Working Sheepdog Society) – these dogs often differ significantly from the beardies we know in that they often work with “the eye”. In this case, it is the result of crosswords with working border collies known in the United Kingdom under the name Working Sheepdog. And such a “working shepherd” can have any type of robe, but must meet the strict requirements for pastoral skills.