Grooming
Bearded Collies have a soft undercoat and a long, somewhat rough outer coat. They shed all year long, but your vacuum cleaner will work harder in the spring and fall when they shed more. If you keep your Beardie’s coat long, you may want to opt to use a barrette to keep their hair out of their eyes. Some pet parents give their Beardies a haircut to reduce maintenance. Shorter coats are easier to brush, but be aware of potential matting. Here are some more grooming tips for your Bearded Collie:
Brushing: You should give your pup a quick daily brush to keep the tangles at a minimum. This will take about 10 minutes, if you keep your Beardie in a long coat, and even less time for shorter coats. Keep a towel and brush handy inside the door to wipe them off when they come in from frolicking in the backyard, and your daily detangle can become a fun, natural bonding experience instead of a chore. You’ll want to give them a more in-depth brushing once a week, using a pin brush to get the tangles out and a boar bristle brush to smooth and shine their coat. You may also find a slicker brush and de-matting comb handy, too. This more thorough brushing will take 30-60 minutes.
Ear cleaning: While you’re giving your pup their weekly brush, check your pup’s ears for debris, wax build-up and signs of infection (redness or swelling)—because these pups are prone to ear infections. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
Bathing: If your Beardie’s a show dog, you’ll be giving your pup a weekly bath. Otherwise, they’ll be happy with a bath once every four to six weeks. Some veterinarians recommend bathing your Beardie no more than once a month to avoid skin damage.
Nail trimming: You’ll know your Beardie’s nails need a trim when you can hear them clicking on the floor. Some Bearded Collie puppies need nail trims every other week, while others wear down their own nails with everyday running and playing.
Dental care: Just like you, your Bearded Collie dog will stay happy and healthy with daily teeth brushing. And don’t forget to schedule an annual professional cleaning by your vet (not a groomer).
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Training
The Bearded Collie dog breed is highly intelligent and energetic. Take advantage of their natural smarts and energy and start training your puppy as soon as they come home. Your Bearded Collie puppy will probably pick up the basics—sit, come and stay—very quickly. Use lots of rewards—treats, praise and play breaks—to let them know they’re doing a good job.
Because Beardies are herding dogs, they are inherently prone to offer direction rather than take it. They also learn quickly, which could lead to boredom and distraction during training sessions. Keep sessions energetic, moving on to new skills and tricks as soon as the dog has mastered one. And remember: Despite their instinct to push limits, these dogs want to please you.
Socialization is important for this naturally friendly dog. Introduce them to new people and other dogs, beginning as soon as you bring your Bearded Collie puppy home. Take them on walks to meet new friends in the neighborhood and enroll them in puppy school. Here, they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and meet new people—all under one roof.
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Diet
There’s no one-size-fits-all feeding chart for the Bearded Collie breed. You’ll need to factor in your dog’s stage of life (puppy, adult, senior) into the variety you choose. Look for the statement that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Most Bearded Collie dogs do well on a high-quality commercial dog food diet with a few treats thrown in—but remember that treats can be high in calories, which can lead to obesity and the health issues that accompany it, so keep a careful eye on your dog’s weight. Because Beardies are so active, they might benefit from a high-protein dog food formula.
If you have any questions, chat with your veterinarian. They are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs.
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Exercise
Bearded Collies need lots of time to run around outside for their mental and physical health. Aim for about one hour each day. If you’re not able to get their wiggles out every day, these pups are creative and will come up with their own fun games, like “let’s chew the Manolos” or “tearing out the bushes.”
Beardies enjoy long walks or jogs and frequent adventures to the dog park. They’ll appreciate fun games in the backyard, like fetch, too. If you’re into competition, sign up for dog sports. These pups excel at agility, rally and herding.
As you exercise their bodies, don’t forget their minds need stimulation as well. Teach them fun tricks, like play dead or shake, and give them interactive dog toys to play with around the house.
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Environment
Bearded Collies can thrive in a fast-paced environment of any size. Their ideal living space? A family home with a large, fenced-in yard. A sprawling lawn gives Beardies the chance to run and play outside, where they and the kids (or fellow pets) can tire each other out.
If you live in a smaller home or apartment, you can still fulfill your dreams of having a Beardie as a pet. As long as you can meet their daily exercise needs—yes, that means even on rainy or snowy days—they will do just fine with apartment life.
Herding breeds like Bearded Collies are popular with families because they’re friendly, athletic and have a distinct look that’ll make them the star of the neighborhood. They’re a good choice for a first-time pup parent, too. However, it’s important Beardies are included in your daily activities, not left by themselves for most of the day. A Beardie pup left home all day while the kids and parents rush off to their activities could cause chaos by coming up with chewing, digging and other ways to stay busy at home.
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