The Bearded Collie: A Lively and Loving Companion
Originating from Scotland in the 1500s, the Bearded Collie (also known as Beardies) was once referred to as a Highland Collie. It is believed that these dogs were bred for their herding abilities, particularly with sheep. The breed made its way across England before arriving in America in the early 1900s.
Physical Appearance
A medium-sized dog standing at around 20-22 inches tall and weighing between 45-55 pounds, this lively breed has a shaggy coat that comes in various colors including black, blue-gray, brown or fawn. They have long hair on their face which gives them their distinctive “beard” look. Their eyes are large and bright with an intelligent expression.
Temperament
Beardies are happy-go-lucky dogs who thrive on attention and affection from their human companions. They have an enthusiastic nature which makes them great family pets but can be rambunctious when young if not given adequate exercise to burn off energy.
Due to their herding instincts they tend to keep busy all day so they prefer having something always going on than lying down doing nothing for extended periods of time.They tend to bond well with children making excellent family pets overall yet may become too boisterous for some smaller children during playtimes.
Health Problems
Generally healthy breeds with average lifespan of about twelve years; however like many purebred dogs they suffer from certain health issues such as hip dysplasia , epilepsy or autoimmune diseases just to mention few examples.If you are considering buying a puppy you should enquire about any potential health problems present in either parent’s bloodline.
Exercise Requirements
Given their working heritage Bearded Collies require substantial amounts of daily physical activity.A lack of exercise can lead to destructive behavior indoors due boredom anxiety.In addition spending quality time running around outdoors benefits both dog owner’s overall health and mood.
Grooming Needs
Beardies have long, shaggy coats which require regular brushing to maintain shine and prevent matting. Furthermore periodical baths as well as trimming the hair around their feet can help them look at their best.
Training Requirements
Early obedience training is key when it comes to Bearded Collies.Due to their exuberant nature, coupled with a strong herding instinct they can become easily distracted if not trained in an ongoing manner particularly during walks or off-leash park visits.Teaching your dog manners such as coming back on command (recall) might save their lives one day ,therefore using positive reinforcement methods should be always taken into account
Compatibility with Children/Pets
As mentioned previously Beardies generally make great family pets.They tend bond well with children having very gentle personalities.Most enjoy being part of multi-dog households where socialization across ages often proves fruitful in terms of canine dynamic harmony.
Personality Quirks
Due to high intelligence levels, many breeders say that sometimes owners underestimate this characteristic leading the dog/s show behavioral issues This means they need sufficient stimulation through physical activity plus adequate mental engagement.Training them basic commands like sit-stay-down or advanced tricks games all help keep your beardie mentally sharp alongside bonding times spent together playing fetch chasing after bubbles more!.
Famous Examples
While not quite achieving the same level of stardom as other breeds there were few notable examples over time.Examples include Dude from “The Big Lebowski” whose character was laid-back,pot-smoking rug enthusiast;or comic strip’s favorite Snoopy whose supposed breed according his creator Charles Schultz was partially based on Bearded Collie mix