Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie, once called the Highland or Mountain Collie, has deep roots in Scotland’s rugged highlands, where they were essential working dogs for shepherds. Known for their endurance in harsh climates, these dogs excelled at herding cattle and driving flocks to market. While some theories suggest the breed predates Roman Britain, modern research traces their origins to Central European herding dogs, like the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and Komondor, introduced to Scotland in the 1500s. With no formal records of their early history, their presence is documented in 18th-century British portraits by artists like Reynolds and Gainsborough, showing their transition from working dogs to prized companions of Scotland’s elite. By the early 1800s, the breed’s distinct appearance and temperament were established, and they gained popularity in Victorian-era dog shows. World War I nearly wiped out the breed, but dedicated breeders revived their numbers between the wars. The first Bearded Collies arrived in the U.S. in 1967, and the breed was officially recognized by the AKC in 1977, becoming a founding member of the AKC Herding Group in 1983.