HERDING STANDARD FOR THE BEARDED COLLIE

As Published by the Bearded Collie Club of America

 

INTRODUCTION

Herding Index Page
HIC Info & Forms
AKC Herding Master Title Application  
Working Standard
Highland Herding Training
Herding Pictures
Herding Dog of the Year
Top Herding Dogs
Bishop Award
Herding Titles
Herding Characteristics of Bearded Collies
 
Herding Mentor Program
(for Conformation Judges)
 
The Bearded Collie is an ancient Scottish breed of herding dog. It is a medium-sized shaggy dog ideally suited to the terrain and climate of its native land. The Beardie of the Highlands was used for rough work, often
independent of commands; gathering sheep from the rugged hill and mountain pastures; moving upright and barking to flush out hidden or lost stock. The Beardie of the Lowlands was most often used as a drover's dog, sorting and taking sheep and cattle to market. Today's Bearded Collie is a blend of these two strains.		 herding photo - click to see more

TRAINABILITY:

The Bearded Collie has a strong desire to please, exhibits good stock sense, and is biddable. It is a versatile, highly intelligent herder, capable of thinking for itself and working accordingly. The Beardie is a powerful, confident dog that can readily adjust to free-moving or stubborn stock.

WORKING STYLE:

Due to its heritage, the Beardie can exhibit a range of styles from very upright and loose-eyed to silent with moderate to stronger eye. They have the innate ability to handle all types of stock.

The loose-eyed Beardie tends to work closer to the stock and in a more upright position than a dog with more eye. UNTRAINED Beardies may typically run a straight course toward the stock, casting out as they approach.

Some Beardies can be vocal and must not be penalized when the bark is used by the dog to move or control stock; expect Beardies to respond to a challenge from the stock with a force bark and bounce, using grip only
when warranted. Most Beardies will work silently when more accustomed to working stock; a few may use a consistent "work bark" while moving the stock.

Barking which interferes with the dog's control of the stock may be faulted.

Beardies are an extremely agile, fast-moving dog. Often, during INITIAL exposure to stock, they will move too fast and close; with further training and experience, they will slow their pace and work wider off the stock.

UNDESIRABLE TRAITS:

  • Predatory or aggressive behavior toward stock
  • Chasing and splitting stock with no purpose
  • Excessive fear of handler, judge or stock
  • Body biting, wool pulling, or unwarranted gripping
  • "Nonsense" barking which disturbs the stock
  • Inattention or refusal to respond to direction by the handler

 This standard is the property of the Bearded Collie Club of America. It is provided for educational purposes only.

 

 

 
© - All materials on this website are copyright protected either by the Bearded Collie Club of America (BCCA) or by their respective authors. Stealing or Pirating of words, images and trademarks is against the Law! This can be enforced in most countries - and we can charge you for the use and legal costs. Based on the provisions of  US copyright Law and the Berne Convention, you (any person other than the authors or artist may not take, modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the images from this website without the prior written consent of the copyright holder. Do not take or use any image, animation, picture or other any other digital or visual representation or use them in original form or modified form without written permission. If you to take any copyrighted materials you agree to pay all fees and penalties, legal costs, lawyer and legal fees, associated expenses including any travel costs, that  result from or are associated with the copyright holder or artist enforcing the copyright or this agreement. Disclaimer:  The contents of the pages on this web site have been converted to accommodate HTML formatting for use on the World Wide Web. The contents are provided for information only. Interpretation and use of the contents of this page are at the sole responsibility of the reader and neither the BCCA, its officers or members, the webmaster or bcca.us and its contractors, employees or provider are liable for its use or interpretation.