Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is reported to be of Scottish and Polish descent. Although its history is unclear, it is said that a Polish merchant who came to Scotland traded a few Polish lowland sheepdog for wares in the 1500s. Later, the Polish sheepdogs were crossed with local Scottish sheepdogs, particularly the Old English sheepdog, to develop the bearded collie. Other reports say that invading armies left dogs with indeterminate breed and were bred with native herding dogs in Scotland.

G.O. Willison is credited for creating the breed for the show ring post-World War II in 1944. She formed the Bearded Collie Club in Britain in 1955. The breed gained recognition in 1959 when the Kennel Club granted rights to show for Challenge Certificates and Championships. However, it was only in 1989 when the bearded collie rose to popularity when it won Best in Show at Crufts Dog Show.

The Bearded Collie is an athletic-looking dog initially bred as a herding dog. It weighs 45–55 pounds and stand 51–56 centimetres. A beardie is longer than it is tall. It has expressive eyes, a broad head, and drop ears. The bearded collie sports a double coat: a furry soft undercoat and a long and flowing topcoat that is straight, thick, and coarse.

The breed is distinctively known for its ‘changing colours’ as many of them have the fading gene. It starts out with dark colours at birth that slowly fade after eight weeks and darken again after a year. This dog breed's coat comes in a variety of shades of brown, black, blue, grey, or reddish fawn. The beardie often has white markings on the chest, face, feet, and tips of its tail.

Daily brushing is required to keep its long and flowing coat in excellent condition, tidy, and knot-free. In the grooming department, the bearded collie is a high-maintenance dog. It sheds heavily once per year in a period of two to four weeks. During this time, it is recommended to brush more frequently to keep loose hair under control.

Don't forget other grooming needs such as oral hygiene and nail care. Teeth should be brushed two to three times a week, even daily, to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Nails should be trimmed to avoid overgrowth and to keep them in good condition. Ears should be checked for any signs of infection, such as redness, and must be cleaned regularly.

Bred to be a working dog, it needs to be kept busy. Give it mental and physical stimulation such as interactive games. It does well in competing in dog sports such as agility and herding. If a bearded collie does not get enough exercise or is left alone for any length of time, it tends to form bad habits such as excessive barking, digging, or chewing.

The beardie is generally good around children and enjoys playtime. This dog breed may be too active for small children and should not be left alone unsupervised.

• Senior and less active: up to 1120 calories daily
• Typical adult: up to 1310 calories daily
• Physically active/working dog: up to 1460 calories daily

The first thing to know after deciding to want a dog is to find out how much it'll cost. However, having the money to purchase a Bearded Collie is only the beginning. A beardie puppy will cost you £500 to £700. Pet insurance is another thing and the cost will depend on the coverage you select. The cost to insure a bearded collie will be £20 a month for a basic cover. However, a lifetime cover is double the cost, which is around £40 a month.

The cost to buy high-quality dog food is around £40–£60 a month. Whilst veterinary costs, which include health checks, initial vaccinations, boosters, and spaying/neutering, will quickly add up to £1,000 a year. On top of all this, you would need to factor in the necessary dog supplies and equipment such as collars, leads, beds, and bowls which may cost you around £200.