Bearded Collies as show dogs, herders and pets! Will this be the breed of your best dog?

bearded collies They are better known as Beardies and are the lovable dogs featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials because they are beautiful, agile, smart, and courageous. For the novice who is just beginning the search for the perfect companion for him or the family dog, let me introduce you to this trainable breed. These dogs make excellent pets and friends, as well as show dogs.

My sister has bred these dogs for decades and her winning show dogs are well known in the Beardie community. There are few among them who don’t know the allure of Carol Scott Wathen. Top-hat, his current winner, known professionally as Ch. Brigadoon Showstopper in Scott, as his photos have appeared on the websites and newsletters of numerous Beardie organizations. Topper is just one of Carol’s ever-expanding and shrinking numbers, as litters come and go, and the dogs will be out for training, handling, and shows. As cliché as it is, I always refer to his usual number of six to eight Beardies as a “pack” since they are sheepdogs and it always seems like he has a lot more dogs in my perception than he does in reality.

When I get to my sister’s house, the dogs come running into the driveway, barking and trying to jump over the fence to see who has arrived. On their two hind legs, bouncing in a row along the fence, the dogs look like a Chewbacca chorus. If you’re unfamiliar with this breed, this Star Wars reference should give you an idea of ​​what Beardies look like, at least with the hair on their foreheads tied up like Chewbacca’s. You can usually barely see a Beardie’s eyes.

the hairy dog, a 2006 film, starred a bearded collie and the title is an apt description of this adorable long-haired, fluffy breed. And in 2009, one played a prominent role in Hotel for dogs. The bearded ones look like the Naughty daniel cartoon dog print. However, in the TV movie version, a Briard (French Sheepdog) was chosen for its similar appearance, but with perkier cropped ears.

The Beardie looks like it’s all overcoat. Its long coat makes the dog appear larger and heavier than it is. It is surprising, therefore, that adult Beardies only weigh an average of 40 to 60 pounds. Males average around 21-22 inches tall with females averaging just an inch shorter. The Beardie’s coat enhances the shape of the dog, following the natural lines of the body. From the cheeks, the lower lips and under the chin, the fur increases in length towards the chest, forming the “beard”. Clever! This is a bearded collie, as defined by the American Kennel Club (AKC) guidelines.

All Beardies are born black, brown, or fawn, with or without white markings. As they mature, their color often brightens. A baby born black can turn into a shade of gray, with fur ranging from black to slate gray to silver. A baby born brown can turn from chocolate to sandy. White appears on the front as a blaze, as well as on the skull, on the chest and around the neck, on the legs and feet, and on the tip of the tail.

The history of the Bearded Collie is centuries old, or at least according to one account. In this 500-year-old version, a Polish trader, Kazimierz Grabski, traded a cargo of grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514. He brought six Polish lowland sheepdogs to move the sheep. A Scottish shepherd was impressed with the herding ability of Polish dogs and traded several sheep for several dogs. Supposedly, the Polish Sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs, producing the Bearded Collie.

Recent history traces the breed back to 1944, when Olive Willison of Bothkennar, Scotland bred her brown dog, Jeannie de Bothkennar. Jeannie was considered a Shetland Sheepdog, but was actually a Bearded Collie of Polish-Scottish lineage from 1514. Jeannie, an olive breed, with a gray male dog, registered as Constable of Bothkennar. thus Bailie and Jeannie of Bothkennar became documented founders of the modern breed in Scotland, where there are also a few other registrable bloodlines.

The breed became popular during the latter half of the 20th century, when a Bearded Collie won Best in Show at the famous British Crufts Dog Show in 1989. The breed is also a regular winner at the great American Dog Show, Westminster, held In New York.

The Bearded Collie is essentially a herding dog, bred to take on the toughest of sheep or cows. Far from the pampered family dog ​​pictured in the hairy dog, the Bearded Collie is a hardy and dependable working dog. The breed earned the nickname “bouncing Beardie” because these dogs work in the thick brush on hillsides and jump up to check on the sheep. Beards also have a characteristic way of dealing with a stubborn sheep by barking and jumping up on their front legs.

For a time, the KC-registered Bearded Collie fell out of favor with Shepherds in Wales, Scotland and elsewhere as they criticized the show breeding community for failing to produce truly “hardy and reliable” Bearded Collies and that dogs bred in shows they tend to develop excessive coats. Due to his efforts, the “Working Beardie” has survived and is becoming more popular. In some countries, especially Sweden and the United States, grazing programs have been developed. Bearded Collie organizations now encourage breeders to emphasize herding qualities in addition to appearance. These favor the formation of an independent and intelligent shepherd dog. Beardies’ herding instincts and malleability can be tested in non-competitive herding trials, and young Beardies exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

Of the many Bearded Collie organizations, the mission of the Working Bearded Collie Society is to preserve the working abilities of unregistered working dogs of “bearded” ancestors. While not solely focused on the registered Bearded Collie, this organization reports all about the small population of working Beardies. His site is worth visiting to understand Beardie instincts. Also visit the Bearded Collie Club of America website. Their mission is to treat breed-specific health issues and rescue Beardie. It provides a variety of opportunities for Beardie owners, their breeders, and anyone in the public to learn, connect, and compete in the Beardie breeding and ownership process. This is a great place to start your search for a breeder and a puppy of your own.

As a pet, the Bearded Collie requires some coat care and some time to keep this enthusiastic dog well exercised, but he is a loyal companion and a magnificent looking dog. Whether you want a trainable show dog, or whether you want a herding dog or not, Beardie is a dog that can be enjoyed on a farm or ranch, where he can exercise these natural abilities. Or you can keep this dog in the city, where he can find extensive dog parks, herding training, and more. Additionally, this breed can also handle agility training and do some amazing gymnastics tricks. So see how you can make a Bearded Collie your best dog and a member of your family.

(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian