Apartment fit
Bearded Collie may work in an apartment only when exercise, barking, and coat cleanup are handled seriously. Most Beardies are easier in homes with more space and outdoor access.
HerdingMedium
United Kingdom
United KingdomBearded Collie
Weight
45-55 lb
Height
20-22 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Double Long
The Bearded Collie is a lively Scottish herding dog with a long shaggy coat, upbeat personality, and real need for exercise, grooming, and training.
Scottish herding breed with a famously bouncy personalityLong protective coat in black, blue, brown, or fawnNeeds serious brushing, not just occasional groomingBest for active homes that enjoy training and outdoor routines
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Beardie
BouncyAffectionateIntelligentFriendlyLivelyConfident
Weight
45-55 lb
Height
20-22 in
Lifespan
12-14 yrs
Coat
Double Long
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
4/5
First-time owner
Yes
Overview
The Bearded Collie, often called the Beardie, is a British herding breed strongly associated with Scotland. It was developed to work sheep and cattle in rough weather, which explains the long protective double coat and the breed's energetic, confident, bouncy style.
Beardies are usually affectionate, sociable, and playful, but they are not low-effort shaggy companions. The coat can be black, blue, brown, or fawn, often changing shade as the dog matures, and it needs regular line brushing to prevent mats close to the skin.
A Bearded Collie can suit active first-time owners who truly want grooming and training as part of the routine. It is less suitable for people who want a tidy, quiet dog or who cannot manage coat maintenance after wet walks and outdoor play.
Temperament & Personality
BouncyAffectionateIntelligentFriendlyLivelyConfident
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a bouncy, affectionate, intelligent companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Double
Coat length
Long
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Black, Blue, Brown, Fawn
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly5/5
Good with Kids5/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly3/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs4/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- A more forgiving first ownership experience
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners who enjoy cheerful herding dogs
- families prepared to manage jumping, barking, and outdoor mess
- people who want training games, walks, and play as a daily routine
- owners willing to brush a long coat thoroughly
Not ideal for
- homes wanting a low-effort dog with minimal daily exercise
- owners who need a naturally quiet dog
- people who want almost no coat maintenance
Common challenges
- matting close to the skin when brushing is skipped
- bouncy greetings and jumping
- barking or restlessness when underworked
Barking & behavior
Bearded Collie has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the Bearded Collie a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
Training style
Bearded Collie training should use games, rewards, recall practice, impulse control, and calm settling work. Beardies are clever and cheerful, but they can bounce, bark, and invent activity when bored.
Grooming & shedding
The Bearded Collie's long double coat needs thorough brushing to the skin several times a week, with extra checks behind ears, under legs, around the beard, and after wet or muddy walks. Skipping coat care quickly leads to mats.
Care Guide
Exercise
Bearded Collie needs about 60 to 90 minutes a day for many healthy adults, built from longer walks, active play, and regular training or scent games. For the Bearded Collie, build activity into most days instead of relying on one big weekend outing, and mix in sniffing, training, or puzzle work so the dog has a mental outlet as well as physical movement.
Grooming
The Bearded Collie's long double coat needs thorough brushing to the skin several times a week, with extra checks behind ears, under legs, around the beard, and after wet or muddy walks. Skipping coat care quickly leads to mats.
Training
Bearded Collie training should use games, rewards, recall practice, impulse control, and calm settling work. Beardies are clever and cheerful, but they can bounce, bark, and invent activity when bored.
Nutrition
Feed Bearded Collie a measured diet appropriate for a medium dog, its age, and its activity level. For the Bearded Collie, keep body condition lean, adjust portions when exercise changes, and ask your veterinarian about diet details if weight, digestion, allergies, or joint stress are concerns.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather4/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaHypothyroidismAddison's disease
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bearded Collie a good apartment dog?
Bearded Collie may work in an apartment only when exercise, barking, and coat cleanup are handled seriously. Most Beardies are easier in homes with more space and outdoor access.
Does the Bearded Collie bark a lot?
Bearded Collie has a moderate barking profile, so owners should expect some alerting and excitement barking. Teaching the Bearded Collie a calm response to door sounds, passing dogs, and visitors is easier than trying to stop barking after it becomes a habit.
Is the Bearded Collie good for first-time owners?
Bearded Collie can work for prepared first-time owners who enjoy grooming and active training. It is not a good match for someone wanting a low-maintenance shaggy dog.
How much exercise does the Bearded Collie need?
Most healthy adult Bearded Collies need about 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, including walks, play, training, and games that use their herding-dog brain.
Is the Bearded Collie good with kids and other dogs?
Bearded Collies are often cheerful family dogs, but their bounce can overwhelm small children. Supervise play and teach calm greetings around children and other dogs.
Does the Bearded Collie shed a lot?
Bearded Collie has a long double coat that needs thorough brushing to the skin. Mats often hide behind the ears, under the legs, and in the beard.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Bearded Collie?
The biggest challenge is the combination of coat work and high spirits. Beardies need real brushing, daily exercise, and training for barking, jumping, and settling.
Our Shop
Dog essentials for everyday care
Browse practical products for feeding, grooming, cleanup, enrichment, and smoother daily routines.
