Where the Bearded Collie came from
The Bearded Collie is a Scottish herding dog. They were used by shepherds to move sheep and cattle across hills. A well-known legend says Polish sheepdogs were traded for sheep in Scotland in 1514 and mixed with local dogs. This is a folk story, and it is not proven.
The first written mention is in 1891, in The Dogs of Scotland by D.J. Thomson Gray. He described a rough, shaggy dog with hanging ears. The modern show dog is credited to Mrs. G. Olive Willison, who got a Bearded Collie by accident in 1944 and began breeding them.
The AKC recognized the breed in 1976. A Bearded Collie named Potterdale Classic at Moonhill won Best in Show at Crufts in 1989. Many are still working dogs in Scotland, and many more are bouncy family pets.
- 1891 The first written mention of the breed appears in The Dogs of Scotland
- 1944 Mrs. G. Olive Willison starts the modern show line
- 1976 AKC recognizes the Bearded Collie
- 1989 A Bearded Collie wins Best in Show at Crufts
The job a Bearded Collie was bred for
A hardy drover's dog for sheep and cattle in rough hills. Beardies use movement, barking and body blocking more than hard staring. They bark, bounce and jump, which is why many get called goofy.
What you may see at home
Bouncy, loud, jumps on people, herds the family, joyful.
Give them: Agility, herding games, and four on the floor practice. Plenty of daily exercise.
Sports that fit a Bearded Collie
- Herding. Their original work, and they still do it well
- Agility. Fast and joyful, with a coat that flies
- Obedience. Smart and happy to work for praise and food
- Flyball. A good outlet for bounce and speed
- Scent work. Lets a busy dog use the brain
Training tips for a Bearded Collie
- Teach four on the floor early. Beardies jump when excited.
- Reward quiet and calm. They tend to bark to start the fun.
- Keep training upbeat. Harsh words can make them shut down.
- Exercise the mind and the body every day.
Body and health
A long coat that mats, so brush it every week. Hip dysplasia and some immune and thyroid conditions can occur. Keep exercise steady, not rough.
Fun fact. A Bearded Collie, Potterdale Classic at Moonhill, won Best in Show at Crufts in 1989.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Bearded Collie is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Free tools for your dog
- Breed drive calculatorMixed breed? Add the other breeds and see the drives your dog was bred with.
- Dog breed quizTen photos, four names each. The same quiz our trainers take.
- Dog drive testAnswer everyday moments and find the job your dog runs on.
Looking for a different breed? See what 137 breeds were bred to do, and download any of their guides.