Popular Dog Breeds
- 1. Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs
- 2. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies
- 3. Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
- 4. Retrievers
- 5. German Shepherds
Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT, Director, ASPCA Special Projects
This installment ends a three-part series looking at sheep-herding dogs. Part I covered Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs; Part II covered Australian Shepherds, Border Collies and Australian Kelpies; and Part III will profile Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs.
Lost in the murkiness of canine history are the origins of the Bearded Collie (Beardie). It is safe to say the breed evolved over 500 years ago in the Scottish Highlands, most likely a blend of imported continental herding dogs such as the Polish Lowland Sheepdog and Komondor with local herders. The result was an independent, exuberant shaggy-haired worker particularly adept at driving herds of cattle and flocks of sheep to market. The Beardie has been a prized working dog for most of its history and only recognized by the AKC as a show dog in 1977.
Like most other herding dogs, the Beardie is longer than it is tall so it can cover ground efficiently and comes equipped with a weather-resistant double coat for protection. A moderate dog, the Beardie is ideally 20-21" tall at the shoulder and weighs between 45-55 lbs. The long, flowing locks come in black, grey, brown or fawn - often with white markings. The coat demands a thorough grooming at least once a week and will take 30-60 minutes to complete. Early exposure to grooming will teach the dog the patience necessary to lie still through the lengthy sessions.
Potential adopters who fall in love with these adorable puppies should be prepared to spend 1-2 hours a day engaged in active athletic pursuits such as swimming, wrestling, tossing a ball and jogging with the dog. While some lines are more laid back and almost calm, most Beardies are a challenge to tire out. Muddy paw prints and soggy beards are two of the downsides to this vivacious breed. A stubborn streak can make training interesting, so a good sense of humor will come in handy. The Beardie loves to be around his people and may cause trouble if left in social isolation too many hours a day. If you work long hours away from home, either seek out another breed or be prepared to spend a considerable part of your salary on doggie daycare.
The Bearded Collie is a relatively healthy breed. Health problems seen in the breed include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease and a low incidence of several eye problems. Their life expectancy is 12-14 years of age and more than a few 12 year olds are still as bouncy as the normal canine adolescent.
OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG
A much more recent addition to the herding dog pantheon, the Old English Sheepdog (OES) has its origins in the southwestern counties of 19th century England. Whether evolved from the Bearded Collie, the Russian Owtchar or some other continental sheepdogs, the strong, compact OES has made its mark. Also known as the Bobtail, the breed's closely docked tail indicated working status and thus exempted its owner from taxes.
A well-bred Old English Sheepdog is a large (65-110 lbs.), square, playful clown of a dog. The breed's obedience skills do not rank particularly high because the OES can always find something else more fun he'd rather engage in. They are relatively easy to distract and can be stubborn, yet usually good-natured. Like the Beardie, the OES demands a substantial commitment to grooming and exercise.
Due to its distinguished good looks and fluffy attractive coat, the OES has been featured in a number of movies and advertising campaigns. Such popularity caught the attention of commercial breeders and the breed became a popular puppy mill commodity. The resulting lines of dogs may be more prone to temperament extremes and health issues. Problems include a high incidence of hip dysplasia as well as hereditary juvenile cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, thyroid problems, cerebella ataxia, congenital deafness and chronic ear infections. This large, deep-chested breed is also prone to bloat and heat stroke.
The lively herding breeds covered in the Wool-chasers series and the mixes that share their herding dog genes can make playful, loyal companions when you can meet their needs for exercise and guidance. If you can appreciate the drives of these athletic workers and provide them the proper outlets, there may be a wool-chaser in your future.
Courtesy of
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
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