Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie developed in Britain, particularly Scotland, as a shaggy herding and droving dog capable of working livestock in wet, demanding conditions. Its distant origins are uncertain. A popular story traces the breed to Polish Lowland Sheepdogs brought to Scotland during the 16th century, but documentation is too limited to treat that account as established fact. What is clear is that shaggy working collies were used for generations to move sheep and cattle through the Scottish countryside. They needed enough independence to handle stock at a distance while remaining responsive to a shepherd. The modern breed came surprisingly close to disappearing during the first half of the 20th century. Its revival is strongly associated with G. Olive Willison, who acquired a female named Jeannie in 1944. Jeannie and a male named Bailie of Bothkennar became foundational dogs in the modern breeding population. Organized interest grew after the Second World War, and the breed gradually expanded outside Britain. The American Kennel Club recognized the Bearded Collie in 1976. Its characteristic bouncing movement through tall vegetation is sometimes called the "Beardie bounce," and its shaggy double coat reflects a heritage of working outdoors in the famously unpredictable weather of Britain.