Frequently Asked Questions
About a Bearded Collie

Do Bearded Collies get along with children?
This depends on the individuals involved – the child, the dog, and perhaps most importantly, the parents.
Beardies can be very good family members and being generally a ‘people-loving’ breed can get along wonderfully with children, but, like any other dog, a Beardie puppy needs to be taught how to interact with children , (particularly young children,) and children need to be taught how to interact with a young Beardie puppy. It is always important to supervise the interactions of young children with dogs. Actions such as a child and their friends running away to get away from the Beardie will encourage the Beardie to chase (and possibly nip at heels). Beardies are a herding breed and want to keep their “flock” together.

Do Beardies get along with dogs or other animals?
Most Bearded Collie puppies will be able to adjust to the other members of their new families – human, canine, feline and other pets. Bearded Collies are generally very friendly, but, as with people, there are individual variations in degree. For the most part Beardies believe that everyone is their friend and may require guidance in regard to their interactions with other family members, as their sheer exuberance may be overwhelming for the smaller members of the family.

Do Beardies have a tendency to wander?
Many a Beardie owner can tell a story (or stories) about their Beardie(s) taking a “walk-about”. Beardies prefer to stay close to the family and do not tend to wander. However, any breed if left alone for extended periods will get bored and go looking for something to do, and as a keenly alert breed not much escapes their attention. This makes for a lot of potentially interesting distractions that a Beardie may feel the need to investigate. If the Beardie cannot be watched he should be safely secured in a fenced yard or dog run. Best of all, a Beardie prefers to be where his family is. If left alone in a yard for prolonged periods, a Beardie will look for things to occupy his time... like how to get out of the yard and check out the neighbourhood.

What is their temperament like?
The CKC Standard states that the” Bearded Collie must be alert and self-confident, and should be lively and active. The temperament should be that of a steady, intelligent working dog and must show no signs of nervousness or aggression.” A Beardie is an inquisitive dog...wanting to know what is going on; a Beardie is generally friendly and outgoing; a Beardie is very social and wants to be with the family; a Beardie does not do well left isolated for long periods of time. Beardies need an activity (“ job to do”) to keep that clever mind exercised, or they will find something to do (often to the owners dismay!). As with any dog, it is very important to expose a Bearded Collie to a wide variety of people, places and other animals, especially in their first year of life. This will continue to build and develop the self-confidence with which they are born. Failing to do this can result in a nervous or fearful adult, no matter how good a start the pup had as a baby.

Are Bearded Collie easy to train?
Bearded Collies generally like to please their people, but training must be fun. Some dogs can be challenging and take more work. Bearded Collies are also smart enough to manipulate their owners. Generally, most Bearded Collies are sensitive, impressionable dogs. Bad or scary experiences may be hard to overcome and are best anticipated and avoided. Only positive training techniques should be used. Beardies have lots of heart and their owners need to understand their dogs’ unique, psychological make-up. Your breeder should be able to assist you with training advice and methods.

How much should I expect to pay for a Bearded Collie Puppy?
Prices of puppies will depend on a variety of factors - locality, availability, quality. The prices now average around $1500 in Canada. Higher cost does not necessarily equate to higher quality, however also beware of ‘bargain basement’ prices. Breeding responsibly is expensive, and those able to sell cheap may not be doing all the health screening or providing the proper care they should. Be sure to that you fully understand the terms to which you are agreeing when purchasing a puppy, particularly if you are asked to provide a large deposit up front--you may find it is non-refundable.

How much exercise does a Bearded Collie require?
Beardies require a moderate amount of exercise to maintain good health and condition. To keep them fit they should go for at least two brisk walks daily.

Where do I go to see a Bearded Collie?
Dog shows are a good place to start when you are determining what type of dog your family prefers. Once you have narrowed down the selection to a couple of breeds, contact breeders and owners in your area. You can get a listing of breeders in the Dogs Annual magazine or through the breed clubs. Look at the Breeders’ Directory for a list of BCCC member breeders. See as many dogs as you possibly can. Even if the breeders are not planning a litter... go and see their dogs anyway. The more information and experience that you can gather on the breed the better informed you will be when you do get a chance at purchasing a family companion.

How long should I expect to wait for a puppy?
Up to a years wait is not unusual. It will depend mostly on the type of home you can provide and what interests you have in the breed. Expect to wait longer for show/breeding potential pups since they are fewer in numbers than pet quality. Likewise if you wish to purchase from a particular breeder. Most breeders will want to meet you if possible and then put you on a waiting list if you are both in agreement of you getting a puppy from them. It is considered quite common to ship a puppy from one part of the country to another part or even to another country... do not be afraid to contact breeders outside of your area. However there are a few drawbacks... you will not likely be able to see both parents of the litter or meet the breeder in person. You can request a list of references of previous puppy buyers and a video tape or pictures of the parents of the litter and possibly littermates as well. You should expect to pay for any shipping fees and the cost of a shipping crate. Although buying a puppy sight unseen can be a bit more risky, it is done successfully time after time. As long as you are dealing with a reputable breeder, you will likely be very happy. When you do get your pup it is common courtesy to advise all the people with whom you have left your name that you have found your companion.