At a glance the quick version
The FCI standard sets no weight; Wikipedia and Hill's both give about 40-60 lb.
Coat and looks how to spot one
long double coat
A soft, close undercoat under a flat, harsh and shaggy top coat that should not be woolly or curly. Longer hair on the chin forms the beard that gives the breed its name.152
Personality what they are like
A cheerful, bouncy herding dog that loves being outdoors and busy. It is bright and quick to learn, but has an independent streak and does best with patient, consistent training.1354
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An energetic breed that enjoys daily walks plus active play or training; it is a popular choice for agility, obedience and similar sports. The Royal Kennel Club lists up to an hour a day, while Hill's suggests over 40 minutes plus vigorous play.642
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The long coat needs regular care: The Royal Kennel Club lists grooming as a daily job, with thorough brushing to keep the coat tangle free.642
Company who they like around
Sociable and people-oriented; generally gets on with other dogs and thrives with company and involvement in family life.43
The story where it all began
Shaggy herding dogs of this type have worked in Scotland for around five centuries. The modern breed was rebuilt in the 1940s by Mrs G. Olive Willison of Bothkennar kennels, who started with a brown bitch called Jeannie and a grey dog called Bailie (Bailey). The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1959.612
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Mrs Willison originally ordered a Shetland Sheepdog puppy and was sent Jeannie, a Bearded Collie, by mistake.6
- 2
Beardie coats often lighten as puppies grow, then darken again later, without returning to their birth shade.5
- 3
A popular legend says Polish Lowland Sheepdogs brought to Scotland by a trader in 1514 are among the breed's ancestors.2
- 4
A Bearded Collie, Potterdale Classic at Moonhill, won Best in Show at Crufts in 1989.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 271, Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs; standard published 03.11.2014, country of origin Great Britain.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Pastoral group; recognised in 1959; listed as a vulnerable native breed.6
- UKC
- Herding Dog Group; recognised 1979.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bearded Collie. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Hand strippingHand stripping keeps the harsh texture; clipping also worksevery 12 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FCI standard no. 271 Bearded Collie fci.beused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament, history
- Wikipedia: Bearded Collie en.wikipedia.orgused for names, weight, history, facts
- AKC: Bearded Collie akc.orgused for origin, temperament
- Hill's Pet: Bearded Collie hillspet.comused for weight, lifespan, exercise, grooming, social
- UKC: Bearded Collie ukcdogs.comused for recognition, temperament, coat colour change
- The Royal Kennel Club: Bearded Collie royalkennelclub.comused for recognition, exercise, grooming, lifespan, history, facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.