Bearded Collie

Herding Group

Height: 21-22 / 20-21 in

Weight: 45-55 lbs

Life Span: 12-14 years

Self-confidenceHardyLivelyAlert

Bouvier des Flandres

Herding Group

Height: 24.5-27.5 / 23.5-26.5 in

Weight: 70-110 lbs

Life Span: 10-12 years

ProtectiveLoyalGentleIntelligent
Bearded Collie
Bouvier des Flandres
Best

Physical Traits

60% similar
Breed Group
Herding
Herding
Size Category
Medium
Giant
Height (in)
21-2220-21
24.5-27.523.5-26.5
Weight (lbs)
45-55
70-110
Life Span
12-14
10-12

Personality & Temperament

Bearded Collie

Self-confidenceHardyLivelyAlertIntelligentActive

"The Bearded Collie is a highly intelligent, energetic, and affectionate breed known for its bouncy, charismatic demeanor. They are social, playful, and thrive on interaction with both humans and other dogs, making them excellent family companions, though their herding instincts and independent streak can sometimes make them stubborn during training."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training and high grooming needs due to their long, silky coat requiring frequent maintenance.

💡

This breed is best suited for an active, patient owner or family who can provide ample physical and mental stimulation, enjoys outdoor activities, and appreciates a lively, affectionate, and slightly mischievous companion.

Bouvier des Flandres

ProtectiveLoyalGentleIntelligentFamilialRational

"The Bouvier des Flandres is a strong-willed yet affectionate and courageous breed with a protective nature. Highly intelligent and eager to please, they thrive when given a job or task, making them excellent working dogs. Their loyalty and watchful demeanor make them devoted family companions, though their independent streak requires consistent training and mental stimulation to prevent boredom or destructive behavior."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training and the need for high-maintenance grooming due to their thick double coat; additionally, their strong prey drive requires early socialization.

💡

This breed is ideal for an experienced owner or active family who can provide ample physical and mental exercise, firm but fair training, and a spacious environment to keep this intelligent and energetic dog engaged and happy.

Purpose & Suitability

Purpose
Herding and droving livestock, particularly in rugged Scottish terrain
Herding, guarding, and working as a versatile farm dog (e.g., herding cattle, watchdog, guardian, and cart-puller).
Best Suited For
Active families or individuals with outdoor lifestyles, including those who enjoy hiking, herding, or agility activities
Active families or individuals with experience in dog training and handling large breeds; best suited for homes with space and outdoor activities.
Training Difficulty
Moderate
Moderate
Care Difficulty
High
High

Coat & Appearance

🧵 Coat Type
Silky
Rough
📏 Coat Length
Long
Medium
🎨 Colors
BlackBlueBrownFawn
BlackBrindleFawnGray BrindlePepper & SaltGrayBlack & BrownBlack & FawnBlack & GrayWhiteBlack & WhiteBrownBlue & GrayBlueSilver & GrayBlack & Brindle
✨ Markings
White MarkingsWhite & Tan Markings
Brindle MarkingsWhite MarkingsBlack Mask

Care & Health

Bearded Collie

Care

Grooming
  • Bearded Collie grooming requires daily brushing for 5-10 minutes to prevent tangles and remove debris
  • weekly deep grooming sessions (30-60 mins) using a pin rake, brush, comb, and anti-tangle spray to remove dead hair
  • nails must be trimmed regularly to avoid pain and mobility issues
  • avoid overcomplicating the routine—focus on consistency for a healthy coat
  • messy incidents may extend daily brushing time but shouldn’t disrupt the weekly deep grooming schedule.
Exercise
  • The Bearded Collie is a high-energy breed needing significant daily exercise to thrive
  • Thrives in outdoor activities regardless of weather, from running and playing to long walks or hikes
  • Enjoys structured play in large, secure spaces, alone or with companions
  • Naturally inclined to participate in herding, agility, rally, and obedience competitions
  • Daily engagement in physical or mental activities is essential for their happiness and well-being
  • A bored Bearded Collie may become restless or destructive without proper exercise.
Training
  • Bearded Collie training requires early socialization (7 weeks–4 months) to diverse people/places
  • Puppy training classes aid socialization and teach owners to spot/correct early behavioral issues
  • Independent, stubborn herding instincts demand patience and positive reinforcement
  • Training success hinges on consistent, reward-based methods (treats encouraged)
  • Owners must counter natural self-reliance with clear, persistent guidance
  • Early intervention prevents ingrained stubbornness in adult dogs.
Nutrition
  • Bearded Collie nutrition requires a high-quality diet, commercial or home-prepared with vet supervision, tailored to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • Monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, as the breed is prone to gaining excess weight
  • Use treats for training but limit amounts to avoid obesity
  • Know safe and unsafe human foods for dogs, consulting your vet for dietary concerns
  • Ensure clean, fresh water is always available

Health

Bearded Collies are a robust breed, but responsible breeders prioritize health testing for common issues like hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders, allergies, and eye conditions. Regular ear cleaning is essential to prevent wax buildup or debris, and daily teeth brushing helps maintain their overall health.

Recommended Tests:

Hip EvaluationElbow EvaluationOphthalmologist Evaluation

Bouvier des Flandres

Care

Grooming
  • **Bouvier des Flandres grooming essentials:** Brush coat once or twice weekly with a slicker or pin brush and comb
  • Clean beard during brushing sessions
  • Trim toenails every 1-2 weeks
  • Use a large comb for thorough coat maintenance
Exercise
  • Bouvier des Flandres exercise needs: bred for active farm work, thrives on staying busy, ideal for active households with hikes/jogs/biking
  • requires large, enclosed space for romping and play, benefits from interaction with other dogs or kids for mental/physical stimulation
  • heavy exercise should be limited during puppy growth stage
  • boredom can lead to destructive behavior, needs consistent activity to stay content
Training
  • Bouvier des Flandres training thrives on purposeful work and excels in structured activities
  • Easily adaptable to dog sports, obedience, herding, or guard/rescue roles due to natural aptitude
  • Strong prey drive necessitates early socialization to prevent unwanted behaviors
  • Highly eager to please, making them responsive and cooperative once commands are clear
  • Naturally suited for search and rescue, with quick adaptability to training demands
  • Enjoys working closely with owners, thriving in partner-based tasks or competitions
Nutrition
  • Bouvier des Flandres nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) tailored to age (puppy, adult, or senior) with lower protein than most breeds
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, as some Bouviers are prone to gaining weight
  • use treats for training but limit amounts to avoid obesity
  • consult vet for concerns about diet, weight, or safe human foods for dogs
  • ensure clean, fresh water is always available

Health

Bouviers are typically robust dogs, but responsible breeders prioritize health testing for genetic conditions like Bouvier des Flandres myopathy, cataracts, deafness, ectopic ureters, epilepsy, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, laryngeal paralysis, megaesophagus, elbow dysplasia, portosystemic shunt, and subaortic stenosis. As a large, deep-chested breed, they are also prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), a life-threatening condition requiring owners to recognize symptoms and act quickly in emergencies.

Recommended Tests:

Hip EvaluationElbow EvaluationCardiac Exam

Trait Comparison

54% similar
💡 Compare their traits above to see differences
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Affectionate With Family for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Good With Young Children
Good With Young Children for Bearded Collie: 5 out of 5 (Excellent with Kids)
Good With Young Children for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs for Bearded Collie: 5 out of 5 (Very Dog-Friendly)
Good With Other Dogs for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Shedding Level
Shedding Level for Bearded Collie: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Shedding Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Coat Grooming Frequency
Coat Grooming Frequency for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Coat Grooming Frequency for Bouvier des Flandres: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Drooling Level
Drooling Level for Bearded Collie: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
Drooling Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bouvier des Flandres
Openness To Strangers
Openness To Strangers for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Openness To Strangers for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Playfulness Level
Playfulness Level for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Playfulness Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Watchdog/Protective Nature
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Bearded Collie: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Bouvier des Flandres: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bouvier des Flandres
Adaptability Level
Adaptability Level for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Adaptability Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Trainability Level
Trainability Level for Bearded Collie: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Trainability Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bouvier des Flandres
Energy Level
Energy Level for Bearded Collie: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Energy Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Barking Level
Barking Level for Bearded Collie: 5 out of 5 (Very Vocal)
Barking Level for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bearded Collie
Mental Stimulation Needs
Mental Stimulation Needs for Bearded Collie: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Mental Stimulation Needs for Bouvier des Flandres: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced

Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.

Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.

Common Questions

Answers to popular questions about Bearded Collie and Bouvier des Flandres.

Bearded Collie is generally considered a better option for families with young children than Bouvier des Flandres, as they tend to be more patient and tolerant.
Both breeds have average trainability. They can learn well with consistent positive reinforcement but may have moments of stubbornness.
Yes, both breeds have a similar shedding level (3/5).
Both breeds can be suitable for first-time owners, depending on your lifestyle and dedication to training and care.

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Bearded Collie vs Bouvier des Flandres: Size, Temperament & Care Comparison