The Bearded Collie is a breed which has evolved naturally over the centuries, not one that has been created in the relatively recent years, like those such as the Golden Retriever and the Doberman.
The origin of the bearded collie can be traced back to more than 400 years ago.
They were most probably developed at the end of the 15th century and during the 16th century by mating Polish lowland sheepdogs with Scottish sheepdogs. There is in actual fact very little information on this breed from that period until the 20th century.
The first bearded collie club was established in Edinburgh in 1912.
After that date, the number of dogs largely decreased and during the Second World War, the breed was close to extinction. In 1944 and only by pure chance, a lady from Great Britain by the name of Mrs. G. O. Willison resurrected the breed, when she obtained a brown female Jeannie of Bothkennar.
She then successfully acquired a male Bailie of Bothkennar in 1949, and proceeded to use this couple to completely renew the breeding. It was in 1959 that Jeannie’s granddaughter Beauty Queen of Bothkennar became the first Bearded Collie to ever win the English champion title.
In 1964, a new standard was established, and Bearded Collies became increasingly popular when a female Potterdale Classic of Moonhill won the Best in Show at Cruft’s. It is thought however, that the Bearded Collie was used in cattle drives from as early as 1707 through to the 1880s.
They would be used to drive cattle from North and West highlands to market. From as early as 1771, the Bearded Collie was evident in art, when Gainsborough painted the Duke of Buccleuch with his dog, which greatly resembles a Bearded Collie. It was several years later, when the same dog appeared with the Duchess in a painting by Reynolds.
The Bearded Collie reappeared in art through the years in Reinagles 1804 painting of The Shepherd’s Dog and in the Herrings Bearded Collie and Hound in 1855.
The Bearded Collie was also bred in Croatia. The first was a male called Extra Light de la Fontaine Aux Elfes, who was born in 1989 and had no offspring. He was owned by Drazenka Matkovic. It was a year later that Vilma Polz-Zivkovic imported a dog from Germany, Black Imperial v. Karthauser Hain at home called Timo.
This particular dog marked the beginning of the breeding of Bearded Collies in the region. Timo won several championships and he will always be remembered in Croatia as the father of the first ever litter of Bearded Collie on June 15th 1994. The mother was Neuma z Brda and she was imported from Slovenia.
From the very beginning right up to today, there have been approximately twenty Bearded Collies imported to Croatia resulting in over a hundred puppies being bred.
According to the American Kennel Club, the Bearded Collie ranks 104 out of 155 breeds in popularity.
It is better to obtain a Bearded Collie from a reputable dog breeder or a dog rescue, rather than from a pet store, that are only interested in breeding for profit. A Bearded Collie makes an excellent pet for those individuals who are able to accommodate their level of energy, which is always high, along with the grooming requirements.
They are a breed that are full of intelligence along with being active working dogs. They are an ideal family pet when they are included in family activities. By leaving a Bearded Collie to its own devices, you are simply asking for destruction, as they get bored very quickly.
They are always keen to please their owners and excel at obedience and agility. They generally have an excellent temperament and are very affectionate.
It is essential to show a Bearded Collie exactly who is the boss of the household so that they do not become confused and unhappy about their status.
