Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie, or Beardie, is a herding breed of dog once used mostly by Scottish shepherds to herd sheep. Today, it is mostly a popular family pet.

 Characteristics 
Bearded Collies have an average weight of . Males are around  tall at the shoulders while females are around  tall.

 History 

 Legend 
Legend says that Kazimierz Grabski, a Polish merchant, traded some grain for sheep in Scotland in 1514 and brought six Polish Lowland Sheepdogs to move the sheep. A Scottish shepherd was so impressed with the dogs' herding abilities that he traded several sheep for several dogs. The Polish sheepdogs were bred with local Scottish dogs to produce the Bearded Collie. 

 Breeding 

It is generally agreed that Mrs. G. Olive Willison founded the modern Bearded Collie in 1944 with her brown female, Jeannie of Bothkennar. Jeannie was meant to be a Shetland Sheepdog, but Mrs. Willison was given a Bearded Collie by accident. She was so interested by the dog that she wanted to begin breeding, so she began looking for a male dog for Jeannie. While walking along the beach, Mrs. Willison met a man who was emigrating from Scotland; she became the owner of his grey dog, David, who became Bailie (also anglicized as Bailey) of Bothkennar. Bailie and Jeannie of Bothkennar are the makers of the modern breed; there are only a few other blood lines, preserved in large part by the perseverance of Mr. Nicolas Broadbridge (Sallen) and Mrs. Betty Foster (Bredon). These are based on Turnbull's Blue—a Bearded Collie from working stock, registered in the International Sheep Dog Society when it still registered non-Border Collies. He bred three litters of Bearded Collies. The breed became popular during the last half of the 20th century—helped, in part, by Potterdale Classic at Moonhill, a Bearded Collie who won Best in Show at Crufts in 1989. The Bearded Collie Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2005. The bearded collie is good natured and is good as a family pet and a working dog and a show dog.

 Health 

 Mortality 
Bearded Collies' average longevity is 12.8 years, according to recent surveys from the United Kingdom and North America. (Longevity is the age at which half of dogs of this breed have died and half are alive.)

Beardies in the UK surveys lived longer (13.4 years, on average) than the USA/Canada bearded collies (a 12.0-year median). Most breeds have average longevities between 10 and 13 years and most breeds similar in size to Bearded Collies have average longevities between 11 and 13 years, so the lifespan of Bearded Collies appears to be higher than other breeds (at least in the UK). In a 1996 USA/Canada survey, 32% of Beardies died (including accidental deaths) before the age of nine; however, 12% lived longer than 14 years. The oldest of the 278 deceased dogs in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey died at 19.5 years;

The commonest causes of death among Beardies in the UK are old age (26%), cancer (19%), cerebrovascular disease (9%), and chronic kidney failure (8%). The highest causes of death among Beardies in the US and Canada are old age (18%), cancer (17%), kidney failure (8%), cerebrovascular disease (4%) and hypoadrenocorticism (4%). These are similar to each other.

 Morbidity 
Bearded Collie owners in the UK said that the most common health issues among living dogs were musculoskeletal—mostly arthritis and cruciate ligament rupture—gastrointestinal (primarily colitis and diarrhea) and urologic diseases. Beardie owners in the US and Canada reported that the most common health problems were hypothyroidism, cancer, Addison's disease, arthritis and skin problems. Morbidity in the two studies is not easily compared, however; the UK report grouped diseases, while the USA/Canada report used more detailed conditions.

More existing breed causes of death for the Bearded Collie include: Skin conditions, such as pemphigus foliaceous and black skin disease, follicular dysplasia, musculoskeletal conditions such as congenital elbow luxation, ocular conditions, such as corneal dystrophy, cataract and generalized progressive retinal atrophy.

 Hypoadrenocorticism 
Hypoadrenocorticism (also known as Addison's disease) is a disease in Bearded Collies. It occurs when the adrenal cortex produces less then needed numbers of glucocorticoid and/or mineralocorticoid hormones. It affects approximately 2–3.4% of Bearded Collies in the USA/Canada, and causes the death of at least 1% of Bearded Collies in the UK. These are higher percentages than for the average dog population (0.1%), and hypoadrenocorticism causes of deaths among young dogs. Early symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for other conditions. Symptoms include unexplained lethargy, frequent gastric disturbances, or an inability to tolerate stress. With medication, most dogs can live a  normal life.

In popular culture
 The role of Nana in the original production of the James Barrie play Peter Pan was performed by a Bearded Collie.
 A Bearded Collie named Coal featured in the 2006 film The Shaggy Dog starring Tim Allen.
 Ralphie, a Bearded Collie, appears in the 2009 film Hotel for Dogs.
 Three Bearded Collies appeared in the 2019 movie Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs, with one Bearded Collie being black and tan in color, the second white, and the third Beardie being brown and tan. 

 References 

Category:Dog breeds originating in Scotland
Category:FCI breeds