Fun Bearded Collie Facts For Kids

Bearded Collies are basically a kind of Bearded Collie Mix between the Bearded Border Collie and the Highland Collie. Their inbreeding resulted in the two breeds becoming one. Most experts also agree that Bearded Collies are a descendant of Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, also known as Magyar Komondor dogs. This species was found in central Europe.

These dogs usually have a lot of shaggy hair covering their face with a thick double coat of fur on their bodies. They usually shed heavily for two to four weeks every year, during shedding season and their coat requires weekly brushing as well. It is usually seen that this group of dogs has a hard time being house-trained. Hence, it is best if grooming is started at an early age and plenty of positive reinforcement is used. As far as temperament is considered, they are known to be really friendly and social and they do love human company. Hence, they are excellent to keep as a pet, as long as proper training is provided.

Bearded Collies can also participate in dog sports and usually perform well due to their powerful gait and strong muscles. A dog belonging to this breed would make a very impressive show dog as well, due to its high energy level and athletic build. Also due to these factors, they do need a good amount of exercise and open space to keep their fitness levels high! You will be able to learn even more interesting and fun facts about this friendly breed of herding dogs by continuing to read this article. 
 

What type of animal is a Bearded Collie?

The Bearded Collie is a breed of dog that has descended from the Magyar Komondor, also known as Polish Lowland Sheepdogs. They are generally medium-sized dogs with long hair and high energy levels.

What class of animal does a Bearded Collie belong to?

Bearded Collies belong to the class Mammalia and are part of the Canidae family.

How many Bearded Collies are there in the world?

Since Bearded Collies are bred as herding dogs and also as pets, it is difficult to know the exact number of Bearded Collie dogs present in the world. It should be noted that, though the number of Beardies decreased after World War II, and the subsequent years after World War II have seen a rise in their population.

Where does a Bearded Collie live?

Bearded Collies were initially bred in Scotland as a working dog for herding sheep. So, they traditionally lived on the farms of their owners. Nowadays, with lots of people keeping this breed as pets, they are more commonly seen in houses and apartments.

What is a Bearded Collie's habitat?

Bearded Collie dogs were bred as herding dogs in Scotland. Hence, their natural habitat is the Scottish highlands. This place is characterized by rough terrain but there is also the presence of a lot of greenery and the mountains are covered with pink heaths and swampy bogs. The grassland in this region also gives rise to various indigenous wildflowers as well. However, since these dogs are now domesticated, their habitat is more simply a house or a farm.

Who do Bearded Collies live with?

Bearded Collies love living with their owners and generally prefer living with other dogs of the same species. However, since they have a friendly temperament, they can get along with dogs of other species as well. It is also important to know that Bearded Collie puppies should be trained to obey commands and also socialize with others from a young age. This breed responds well to praise and affection and rarely learns through punishment. Grooming is also an essential part of the upbringing of a Bearded Collie puppy.

How long does a Bearded Collie live?

Beardies usually have a lifespan of between 10 and 17 years. The median life expectancy is 12 years. Most of these dogs reach old age, but apart from that, their most common health problems leading to an early death are cancer and cerebral vascular afflictions.

How do they reproduce?

The female dog's reproductive system undergoes an estrous cycle twice every year. This is when they are fertile and tend to participate in mating rituals during this time. Usually, they give birth to between four and 12 puppies after a gestation period of about nine weeks, like most other dog breeds.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the Bearded Collie Dog breed has not been listed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Since this is a domesticated species of dog, it has not really faced any threats from other animals or humans. However, right after the Second World War, the Bearded Collie dog breed population was almost extinct due to a lack of breeding programs. This was almost single-handedly changed by Mrs. G.O. Willison.

What do Bearded Collies look like?

Dogs belonging to this species are usually medium-sized dogs with a thick double coat of fur. They are usually black, blue, brown, or fawn in color and some of the dogs have distinct white markings on their feet, chest, and tail as well. Their face remains covered with a tuft of hair, but through that their sparkly blue or brown eyes are visible.

How cute are they?

These dogs are very cute and look really fluffy. They have such a dense and thick coat of fur that it adds to their charm! Additionally, their temperament also adds to their cuteness. Beardies are known to be extremely playful and friendly and they are also very good with children.

How do they communicate?

Just like most pet dogs, Beardie dogs often communicate through barking. Their barks can indicate happiness as well as a state of boredom. They tend to bark, dig, and chew when they do not get sufficient exercise. Apart from barking, wagging their tails is also a way for them to communicate joy and excitement.

How big is a Bearded Collie?

Beardie dogs generally have a height ranging from 20-22 in (51-56 cm). When compared to a fully grown Golden Retriever dog, Beardies would appear pretty much the same size.

How fast can a Bearded Collie run?

Since this dog is one of the herding breeds, they do reach a good speed while running. Beardies usually can reach a speed of 20-30 miles per hour and they are known for their agility and endurance.

How much does a Bearded Collie weigh?

Usually, this dog species weighs between 45-55 lb (20-25 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

Male Bearded Collies are known as a 'dog', while the females are known as a 'bitch'.

What would you call a baby Bearded Collie?

Baby Bearded Collies are known as puppies or pups.

What do they eat?

The main components that should be in the diet of a Beardie to maintain their health are protein, fat, fiber, and vitamins. All of this can be provided to these dogs by feeding them beef, fish, chicken, lamb, rice, and vegetables. Apart from that, ready-made dog food, which is available in the supermarket, is also a good option. A balanced diet helps to ensure good health for these Beardie dogs.

Are they slobbery?

Bearded Collies have a low tendency to drool. They usually do not show slobbery behavior at all.

Would they make a good pet?

The Bearded Collie temperament is optimal for them to be kept as a pet. This species is very social, intelligent, and can be classified as an independent thinker with an inclination towards interaction with humans. Beardies are one of those breeds which can become an ideal pet if provided with appropriate grooming and training from a young age. They are also likely to be safe around children. A puppy belonging to this breed would cost somewhere between $1200 to $1600!

Did you know...

According to the Bearded Collie Club of America, this breed of dog was initially produced by mating between Polish Lowland Sheepdogs and local Scottish herd dogs. Subsequently, a stable population was reached and this breed began to easily reproduce on its own. These dogs became a popular pet towards the end of the 20th century after a dog belonging to this breed won the Best in Show award at Crufts in the year 1989.

These dogs are really fond of human company and sometimes even end up being aggressive if they haven't been around people for a long time. Among humans, though, they are unlikely to ever act aggressively.

Bearded Collies also tend to bark a lot when compared to other breeds. This barking could be triggered due to happiness, territorial-feeling, or even stress.

What is the Bearded Collie bounce?

Bearded collies were initially bred to herd sheep. Since these dogs worked in areas with thick bushes on the hillside, they would bounce on their forelegs so that they could catch a glimpse of the sheep. This is known as the Beardie bounce.

Where did Bearded Collies come from?

Two Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were taken to Scotland in the 1500s by a Polish merchant. These two dogs were mated with local herd dogs to produce Bearded Collies puppies. Their main purpose was to herd sheep. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the year 1977.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Bearded Collie coloring pages.