Bearded Collie Breed Information

Bearded Collies are a member of the ‘Pastoral’ breed group. Dogs in the Pastoral group are made up of breeds of herding dogs used with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven footed animals.

Bearded Collies – or ‘Beardies’ as they’re more affectionately known - are gentle, lovable, happy dogs who get on well with everyone, although bear in mind that they have a strong herding instinct and are likely to want to herd at home too – adults and children included! For tips on how to socialise your Bearded Collie and training using reward-based techniques, check out our dog behaviour page.

Breed-related health problems:

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Bearded Collies are prone to include:

• Allergies
• Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Addison's Disease - a condition caused by an abnormally low production of hormones, such as cortisol, by the adrenal glands.
• Immune mediated haemolytic anaemia - a condition where an animals’ own immune system destroys it’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia (too few red blood cells).

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents, and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise and grooming requirements:

Bearded Collies have high energy levels and need 1-2 hours of exercise per day. They enjoy playing games and will join in with plenty of enthusiasm, making them perfect family pets.

Beardies require daily grooming to keep their beautiful long coat in good condition. Each layer of coat, and not just the top coat, will need brushing to prevent matts from forming – this can be quite a time-consuming process, so lots of commitment and patience is needed.

Estimated lifetime cost:

The likely lifetime costs for a Bearded Collie are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Bearded Collie with PDSA:

1 in 3 pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can give you peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Bearded Collie that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

1. Dog and cat insurance policies from 8 weeks of age.
2. 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone with Petcall.
3. Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
4. Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Bearded Collie with PDSA Pet Insurance you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Bearded Collie is the right pet for you?