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Bearded Collie

Description: The Bearded Collie is a medium-sized working dog with an air of strength and hardiness. The head is proportional to the body with a moderate stop and a flat, broad skull. The foreface is the same length as the distance between the occiput and stop, and the muzzle is full and sports a square-shaped nose of large size. Eyes are wide-set, their color depending on the tone of the coat, framed with arched brows that blend into the coat. The expression is one of soft affection and intelligence. Ears are level with the eyes, hanging and small with a covering of long hair. The body is slightly longer than it is high, lean and muscular without heaviness. The tail is low set with a slight curve, held higher when the dog is active. The coat features a close, furry undercoat and an overcoat that is long, flat and shaggy. Color can be fawn, brown, black or blue with possible white markings. 

Temperament: Bearded Collies are energetic, affectionate and smart. They require a great deal of physical activity and are quite boisterous, especially when young. These dogs can also be quite stubborn; because of this, they require an owner who can devote plenty of time to training and can provide firm yet kind discipline and handling. Bearded Collies love to chase anything from cars to small animals and passing joggers, so it is important to teach your Beardie the proper way to behave and provide it with lots of exercise. If a Bearded Collie is not exercised enough or socialized properly, it can become destructive out of pure boredom. All in all, the average Beardie is affectionate, gentle and friendly with children and adults. 

Caring for a Bearded Collie: The Bearded Collie requires a great deal of grooming. Always comb and brush your Beardie before bathing it. Begin each grooming session with a thorough brushing using a boar-bristle brush. Next, use a nylon pin brush all over the body to further loosen tangles and mats. Then, you’ll want to use a sturdy comb to remove tangles and mats from the coat. Keep the nails trimmed and the ears clean. It is recommended that you brush the coat lightly once a day, then spend more time and do a thorough grooming session once per week. The dog is better suited to cooler climates, but manages fairly well in temperate to warm climates as well. Also, as the Bearded Collie is a naturally athletic breed, it needs plenty of exercise every day. While the Beardie is a fairly healthy dog, occasionally one will see epilepsy, colonic disease, canine hip dysplasia or pemphigus in the breed.