The Bearded Collie originates from Scotland
The Beardie was first recognized in 1976. For a long time, Beardies earned their food as rugged herding and droving dogs prized by shepherds for their ability to do a hard days’ work amid Scotland’s climate and hills. Bearded Collies were expected to help control cattle in the pasture and drive the herd to market. The origin stories vary. The prevailing belief is: Beardies are descended from Central European stock, specifically the Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, brought to Scotland in the 1500s.Early History
In the past the Bearded Collie was sometimes known as the Mountain Scotch Collie, Old Welsh Grey Sheepdog, Highland Collie, Loch Collie, or the Hairy Moued Collie. Today they are often referred to as Beardie. Bearded Collies are thought to be one of Britain's oldest breeds, existing there since the 1600-1700s (or possibly even before). The fact that they are a herding breed, and thus we valued primarily for their use as working dogs, makes their origin and development as a breed difficult to trace.Popular Theory
The most popular theory is that the Bearded Collie originated from some sort of cross breeding with the PON, Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Presumably the PON became mixed with other local herding dogs and the Bearded Collie emerged over the years. Another theory relates the introduction of the Komdor to Scotland with the existence of the Bearded Collie. The Komodor, thought to be of Asian origin, is thought to have been brought to Hungary, however, some believe long coated sheep dogs were in Britain as early as 2000 BC. Most agree that at some point the OES was intermixed into the breed in a small way when the breed was transformed into a fixed recognizable breed. Most agree the Bearded Collie came before the Old English Sheepdog and therefore would not have developed out of that breed. The fact is that many herding breeds developed that have similar characteristics and look: Puli, Komodor, and Kuvasz. Some with resemblance are the PON Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Bergamascho, Portuguese Sheepdog and the Catlan. But in fact little is known of the ancient ancestry as little records were kept. Herding dogs were bred to do a job, and it is likely that they intermixed. Even so, old drawings and painting have shown a remarkable resemblance and thus evidence, that the Bearded Collie had been present in a more or less similar form for hundreds of years mainly to the North of England and in Scotland.
History of the Bearded Collie
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Beardies come in many colors
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Courtesy James Nydahl
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Acceptance and use of the information contained on this website constitutes an acknowledgement that the user hereby releases and indemnifies the BCCSC, its
officers, directors, members and agents from any and all liability and damages by the user as a result of any information obtained from this website.
The Bearded Collie originates from Scotland
The Beardie was first recognized in 1976. For a long time, Beardies earned their food as rugged herding and droving dogs prized by shepherds for their ability to do a hard days’ work amid Scotland’s climate and hills. Bearded Collies were expected to help control cattle in the pasture and drive the herd to market. The origin stories vary. The prevailing belief is: Beardies are descended from Central European stock, specifically the Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, brought to Scotland in the 1500s.Early History
In the past the Bearded Collie was sometimes known as the Mountain Scotch Collie, Old Welsh Grey Sheepdog, Highland Collie, Loch Collie, or the Hairy Moued Collie. Today they are often referred to as Beardie. Bearded Collies are thought to be one of Britain's oldest breeds, existing there since the 1600-1700s (or possibly even before). The fact that they are a herding breed, and thus we valued primarily for their use as working dogs, makes their origin and development as a breed difficult to trace.Popular Theory
The most popular theory is that the Bearded Collie originated from some sort of cross breeding with the PON, Polish Lowland Sheepdog. Presumably the PON became mixed with other local herding dogs and the Bearded Collie emerged over the years. Another theory relates the introduction of the Komdor to Scotland with the existence of the Bearded Collie. The Komodor, thought to be of Asian origin, is thought to have been brought to Hungary, however, some believe long coated sheep dogs were in Britain as early as 2000 BC. Most agree that at some point the OES was intermixed into the breed in a small way when the breed was transformed into a fixed recognizable breed. Most agree the Bearded Collie came before the Old English Sheepdog and therefore would not have developed out of that breed. The fact is that many herding breeds developed that have similar characteristics and look: Puli, Komodor, and Kuvasz. Some with resemblance are the PON Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Bergamascho, Portuguese Sheepdog and the Catlan. But in fact little is known of the ancient ancestry as little records were kept. Herding dogs were bred to do a job, and it is likely that they intermixed. Even so, old drawings and painting have shown a remarkable resemblance and thus evidence, that the Bearded Collie had been present in a more or less similar form for hundreds of years mainly to the North of England and in Scotland.
No part of this site may be reproduced without written permission from the BCCSC webmaster.
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Courtesy James Nydahl
Courtesy Cheryl Poliak
Beardies come in many colors
History of the Bearded Collie
Acceptance and use of the information contained on this website constitutes an acknowledgement that the user
hereby releases and indemnifies the BCCSC, its officers, directors, members and agents from any and all liability and
damages by the user as a result of any information obtained from this website.
