Bearded Collie - Reasons not to own

Unofficial description of the Bearded Collie or Beardie by a Beardie owner.

Bearded Collie - reasons you may not want to own one (or have it own you)

So you may want a Bearded Collie. You have seen some really cute puppies, or the wonderful graceful adult Beardie on TV or in a book or magazine. You are told they are wonderful with people, kids and even other animals. But - here we are listing off reason you may not want a Bearded Collie. Why? Because the cute puppy grows up. You may not have the background or temperament to own this dog breed. Do you know what you are getting into? Did you investigate the breed, and if you did - did you really read those little comments sometimes quickly said but not wanting to give a bad impression of the breed. As a herding breed, the Bearded Collie has some built in traits. As a breed, it has some characteristics. How often I have heard, with fondness, the Beardie owner laughing at how the 50 pound bouncing pet of theirs herds the kids, cats, other dogs - all the while leaving behind a trail of hair or mud. Or how their wonderful pet managed to outsmart them. We Beardie owners love these stories, we have experienced them ourselves. We have the right temperament or have taken the necessary time and training to become worthy of being owned by our Beardie. If you are reading this you are already making a good decision to educate yourself about the breed - congratulations. You should do this with any breed you are thinking of owning and many of these cautions apply to many other breeds as well.

Beardies need lots of grooming. And this is no joke. Either you will have to learn to groom like a professional, have them groomed by a professional, or clip all that beautiful hair. Under 2 years is the worst time. Grooming can be once or twice a week. Later this can be every two or even three weeks. But it is hard work and can take a couple hours or more a week! You need really good combs, brushes, mat rakes and so on. Good grooming keeps the extra hair from ending up on the carpet. Not that Beardies shed more than other dogs - in fact short hair dogs tend to shed a lot more. But the long hair will wrap itself up in the rollers of the vacuum cleaner. You want it to end up on your brush instead. If you don't keep the matts out, their skin and health will suffer.
With their long hair, Beardies can track in mud, leaves, all sorts of unusual materials stuck in their coat. Even a rainy day can result in the need for lots of extra attention to keep your floors (or furniture) clean. For that matter, they may just rub it off on you. Also, if a Beardie does get an upset tummy and diarrhea - it can get caught in the long hair under their tail and on their rump.
Beardies need exercise. If you want a dog that just lays around forget it with most Beardies. A half hour of exercise 3 or 4 times a week of romping is suggested.
Do you have room for a Bearded Collie? Although some have them in smaller homes with small lots, or even apartments, those people usually like to go for long walks or to the park frequently. Beardies live a long time, so be prepared to do this for many years to come (day after day). The ideal home would have a large yard with a 6 foot privacy fence. Beardies like to romp and run ... and jump. Many can easily jump a standard fence (4 feet) and some climb. They sometimes display genius in getting loose. Some even recommend a top be put on the fence that slants back in towards the yard. And, Beardies can dig (famous for excavating) so you made need stone under the fence. Of course many are content with just staying put - it gets back to the training.
Beardies need people. Personally I don't think it is a real good idea to own a Beardie if you aren't home most of the time. This is especially true for the younger Beardies (my opinion). Sure some of the best Beardie owners are those who work during the day. But one must assume they had enough time away from work (maybe summer vacation) to allow their Beardie to be comfortable in its home. Most arrange for someone to be around, visit them, or use doggie day care. Left alone they may bark (neighbors complain) or get into mischief, or worse yet develop anxieties. Many rescues come from homes that were not prepared to give their Beardie the attention it needs.
Bearded Collies are known for their antics, meaning they have lots of intelligence and need things to do. This is related also to those who can't be home. Beardies have been known to open cupboards and take food, open doors, counter surf (they are tall enough to remove items from the counters). They can also rearrange your clothing, grab the remote control for your TV and make little pieces out of it and so on. Basically they can get bored and need something to do. They were bred over centuries to work, to use their energy. Of course many dogs do these things .. are you ready for a dog.
Beardies like to jump up and great you. You will have to train them not to do this. We always recommend puppy kindergarten or obedience classes (are you able to do this?) If you have someone who is very old in the family, Beardies can be great companions with training - or they can knock those people over with their friendliness. The same is true with toddlers - a Beardie can easily knock them over.
Beardies sometimes like to bark. this is especially true if someone comes to the door. Other barking is a result of bordom, being left alone or isolated in the yard for too long a period of time. Of course, each beardie has its own personality and you can train them if you have the time and are available - so experiences may vary. Do you have the time and patience to work with a Beardie? Remember, barking is a form of comunication and almost all dogs want to bark - just that some beardies want to get your attention because they love humans (and other animals).
Bearded Collies are not cheap to own. First, a well bred healthy Beardie puppy can cost you $1000 or more. Then you will have all the veterinary costs to maintain vaccinations and good health, then grooming supplies or visits to the groomer every few weeks. Much of this is the same for other breeds - so the point is: Can you afford to be a good dog owner?
Do you have the right temperament? Bearded Collies respond to positive methods of training and not to negative. What does this mean? Beardies respond to rewards not punishment! If you or anyone in your home is prone to "fly off the handle" or shout, or worse yet take it out on the family pet, then don't get a Bearded Collie. Many can not tolerant this sort of treatment or behavior and you will end up with a neurotic dog.
As you can see, Bearded Collies need to be trained. They can be independent, stronger than you think, and sometimes stubborn. They are smart and respond to positive reinforcement in obedience training very well if you take the time. Will you take the time? If not you may have a furry bundle of uncontrolled energy on your hands.
We'll add to this over time. The point is - are you prepared to own a Beardie? Does this sound really negative? If it does, I should also say that if you are willing to spend the time with training and companionship a Bearded Collie is well worth it - once you own one you will want more. Beardies are smart, and so can be trained. They are loving, and so can be the best companion you ever had. But if you are not right for the breed, then you should consider another breed.

Have you read the following?

Description of Bearded Collie
Unofficial Version by an Owner

Comparisons of American and UK Standards

BOOKs About Beardies

Early Bearded Collie History

Bearded Collie Frequently Asked Questions

Bearded Collie Collectibles

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