One of the oldest herding breeds, the bearded collie is thought to be descended from some Polish lowland sheepdogs (Polski Owzcarek Nizinny) left by the invading armies in Scotland in the 16th century.
These dogs then bred with the native herding dogs to produce these herding dogs of the British Isles.
Beardies were highly cherished by farmers and herdsmen in Scotland, in the north of England and some parts of Wales for their herding skills and were called Highland Collies or Mountain Collies.