Herding breed Medium size 18-27 kg

Bearded Collie

A bouncy, cheerful herding dog that adores its family, but the shaggy double coat is a major, non-negotiable grooming commitment.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
18-27 kg · 51-56 cm
Very high
Exercise needs
Tireless; needs a job and hard daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Trainable
Training
Eager and responsive to training
Very high
Coat care
Heavy daily coat work or clipping
Excellent
Fit with kids
Excellent and gentle with children
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The Bearded Collie typically weighs 18-27 kg, stands 51-56 cm, and lives 11-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want an upbeat, clownish family dog that joins every activity,
you will honestly do the coat work - long sessions weekly, quick checks daily,
you enjoy the outdoors in any weather; this dog was bred for Scottish rain,
kids are part of the picture - the breed is famously good with them.

Do not consider this breed if…

grooming feels like a burden - a matted Beardie is miserable and expensive to fix,
a tidy home matters; the beard drips water and the coat carries in half the garden,
you want calm and quiet - the "Beardie bounce" and happy barking are lifelong,
daily vigorous exercise is not realistic for your schedule.

A typical day with a Bearded Collie

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Energetic walk or run, rain or shine
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Quick coat check, then naps near the action
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Walk with play; greets everyone en route
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training, agility, or garden zoomies
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Bounces through family time, beard in every lap
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles happily after a full, busy day

Temperament and training

Cheerfulness Very high
Energy Very high
Trainability High
Sociability High
Herding instinct High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Brushing only the surface while mats form invisibly at the skin · Underestimating adolescent energy - the bounce lasts for years · Punishing herding nips at kids instead of redirecting the instinct

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Playful, gentle, and endlessly tolerant; a classic kids' dog.
Dogs Good
Sociable and playful with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually easygoing, especially when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Possible with heavy daily exercise, but bounce plus bark tests neighbors.
House with a yard Suitable
Ideal, though the yard becomes part of the coat.
City Manages
Adaptable with enough activity and green space.
Countryside Ideal
Weatherproof coat and herding heart belong outdoors.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Routine dental care and cleanings needed
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for early lameness
Autoimmune conditions Hypothyroidism and Addison's disease occur in the breed
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Genetic test available; leads to vision loss

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Shaggy herder, a size smaller and calmer
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
A smart, watchful herder that bonds hard and learns fast - its thick shaggy coat and need for a job are the main trade-offs.
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Long-coated herding dog with more guard instinct
Briard
A loyal, protective French herder with a heavy long coat - devoted to family but demanding on grooming, exercise and early socialization.
View profile →
Herding brain in a much smaller, lighter package
Shetland Sheepdog
A bright, sensitive small herder with a Border Collie work ethic in a manageable package - just be ready for the shedding and the barking.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bearded Collie cost in the US?
Puppies from health-tested breeders typically run $1,500-$2,500, and since the breed is uncommon, expect a waitlist or travel. Over an 11-14 year life, food, grooming and routine vet care commonly add $18,000-$28,000 or more - professional grooming every 6-8 weeks is a real budget line if you do not do the coat yourself.
How much grooming does a Bearded Collie really need?
Plan on a thorough line-brushing session of an hour or more weekly, plus quick daily checks of friction zones - behind the ears, armpits, the beard. The adolescent coat change around 9-18 months is the hardest stretch. Many pet owners eventually clip the coat short, which is a perfectly sensible choice.
Are Bearded Collies good with kids?
Yes - it is one of the breed's genuine strengths. Beardies are playful, gentle and sturdy enough for family life. The two caveats: bouncy enthusiasm can flatten toddlers, and some dogs try to herd running children. Both are manageable with supervision and training, not temperament problems.
Bearded Collie or Old English Sheepdog - what is the difference?
The Beardie is smaller, lighter, more agile and generally more energetic; the Old English is bulkier, calmer and even heavier in coat. Both need major grooming and both adore families. If you want a dog for hiking and dog sports, the Beardie fits better; for a more sedate companion, the OES.