Researching dog breeds before purchase is the first step towards responsible pet ownership. This blog will compare bearded collies to their close relative, the border collie. But what makes a certain breed pet-friendly in the first place?
What makes one dog breed better than another?
For most, the ideal pet has as many of the following features as possible:
- Easy to train
- Low grooming requirements
- Minimal health issues
- Friendly temperament
- Good with children
- Good with other dogs
However, what makes one dog breed better than another will also slightly depend on your lifestyle and personal preference. For example, a lower-energy breed may be a more suitable choice for elderly owners. Specific traits, such as herding drive and protective instinct, can be pros or cons depending on your lifestyle.
Time is money when it comes to keeping a breed that poses more challenges as a pet. For breeds with a longer list of common health conditions, good insurance can help to keep your pet happy and healthy. It’s important to remember that not all dogs of the same breed are identical, and some individuals may not fit the status quo for their breed in one way or another.
Not all these features can exclusively be passed down through good genetics. Tolerance to other dogs and children is also influenced through exposure and socialisation at a young age. Owners who are dedicated to training their pets from a young age are usually rewarded with well-behaved pets for their home, regardless of the breed.
So, do Bearded Collies make a good pet?
Appearance and Grooming
The first thing that springs to mind at the mention of a bearded collie is their dishevelled yet friendly appearance. They are considered medium-sized dogs and range from 18-27kg, with the males typically weighing more. You may not mind, but a medium-sized dog may take up a lot of space in a one-bed flat, so it’s something to consider if you have minimal living space.
Their characteristic long coat gives them a unique look but means they require weekly grooming sessions, so are considered high maintenance in this department! Not keeping up with regular grooming can lead to uncomfortable tangles that can cause skin issues and sores. Long and/or matted fur also traps heat, which can make them more prone to conditions like heat stroke. It is very important for the welfare of this breed to keep up with their extensive grooming requirements to avoid any issues.
Personality and Temperament
Once upon a time, bearded collies were put to work for herding in Scotland. Nowadays, they are usually kept as household pets, though most have retained some of their herding instincts. Bearded collie personalities match their goofy appearance, making them friendly, and affectionate, yet unique and curious. This sort of personality makes them suitable for households with older children, and with sensible exposure and supervision, young children could also be suitable.
Bearded collies are sociable animals. This should be something to bear in mind if you work long hours, as they would much prefer your company. They tend to get on well with other dogs, making them suitable for multi-dog households. Slow and steady introductions can help to avoid any initial mishaps.
Training and Exercise
Bearded collies are a relatively high-energy breed that require at least an hour of exercise a day. Their long coats get dirty easily when outside, so be prepared for regular post-walk showers and footbaths!
With regards to training, they are known to bore easily so consistency and creativity are important in training them effectively. Obedience classes can be a great way to socialise a beardie, whilst also getting them to practice their manners. Using different treat toys at home, such as puzzle feeders, can help to keep them engaged and helps to stimulate their brains. Positive training methods are always recommended.
Health issues
Bearded collies typically live between 12-14 years old. The common health issues seen in bearded collies are listed below.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is caused by abnormal hip joint conformation. This can lead to severe arthritis of the hip joint, causing lameness and pain. It can be managed with medication but the only way to provide a cure is through extensive and expensive surgery.
Eye problems
Bearded collies are particularly prone to an eye condition called progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). This condition is not painful, but unfortunately, it can mean they go blind without a cure.
Hypothyroidism
This condition is due to low thyroid levels, which results in weight gain, lethargy, and a thin coat. It can be effectively treated with daily thyroid replacement medication.
Autoimmune conditions
The main autoimmune condition affecting bearded collies is Addison’s disease. There appears to be a genetic link that predisposes them to the condition, which can be life-threatening and must be managed with daily medication.
Skin issues
Due to their long shaggy coats, poorly groomed bearded collies can suffer from skin issues. Knots and tangles can rub against the skin, resulting in inflammation and infection.
How do Border Collies compare as pets?
Appearance and Grooming
Your stereotypical border collie has a black and white badger print marking on their face and various black and white body markings. They are also seen in red and merle, but these are less common. They tend to be slightly smaller and lighter than the bearded collies, weighing around 15-25kg, yet they are still considered medium-sized dogs. Their coats can be short or rough (medium-long) in length, so it doesn’t tangle quite so much. Their shedding level is considered average, and they malt a couple of times a year. Depending on coat length, they require a good brush once or twice a week.
Personality and Temperament
Border collies have been used to herd for centuries, hence the original name “sheepdog”, and many are still used to do so today. They are incredibly clever and loyal to those that they are close to. Whilst they are a family-friendly breed, they are high-energy and have been known to herd children, so supervision around young children is recommended to avoid any unwanted bumps. Socialisation with children and other animals from a young age can improve your pet’s tolerance to new pets and people. Some of the show-line border collies are considered to have even softer temperaments, appropriate for family life.
Training and Exercise
Border collies are considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds around and as a result, require A LOT of play and exercise to avoid trouble. Working border collies are very active and have a strong herding instinct, as they were bred to run around herding sheep for many hours a day. If you work full-time, this may be difficult to replicate when keeping them as a pet, unless you are happy to hire a dog-walker to make up the miles. Insufficient exercise can lead to behavioural issues and leaving them home alone for long periods could allow for destruction.
Many border collies are known to love agility training. These high-intensity workout centres are a brilliant way of letting them blow off steam. However, they can also be a source of soft tissue injury, so try not to let them overdo it.
Border collies are incredibly easy to train and tend to pick up impressive tricks within the hour. Short but regular training sessions help to encourage obedience and tire them out to prevent behavioural issues related to frustration. Dog-friendly chews, snuffle matts, and playing with toys are all great ways to provide mental stimulation.
Once again, the border collies bred for show tend to be a little more chilled out than their working siblings. These guys may be ok with a couple of hours of exercise a day but would still benefit from daily enrichment and training.
Health issues
Perhaps as a reward for their excellent work ethic, border collies are a pretty hardy breed. They tend to live between 12-15 years of age and other than a few common conditions seen in the breed they are relatively healthy by design. Responsible breeders should screen for some of these conditions to prevent breeding and selling animals with the condition.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a disease of the brain that is characterised by seizures. The cause is unknown in border collies, so a cure is not available. However, there are many anti-seizure drugs available that can help to manage the condition. Uncontrolled seizures can be life-threatening so it’s important to address the condition with your vet.
Collie Eye Anomaly
Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is an inherited disorder that gets worse over time and results in blindness. Unfortunately, there is no cure, and it cannot be reversed. However, breeders can test for the condition so make sure you buy a border collie from a breeder that has had the parents tested.
Hip Dysplasia
This condition is the same for border collies as it is in bearded collies. Limiting off-lead exercise can slow the progression of the disease, which may be harder to achieve in the higher-energy borders!
Multi-drug resistance (MDR-1)
A mutation of the MDR-1 gene means some collies are unable to have certain medications. The mutation results in drugs passing from the blood into the brain, where they can have toxic effects. Genetic testing can be done to see if your collie has the mutation. The percentage of affected animals isn’t known – different studies put it at anywhere between 5% and 50%, depending on the exact population.
So, which collie wins best pet?
The collie that makes a better pet is the breed best suited to you, which will depend on your home environment, time away from work, and availability for grooming and training.
It’s important to remember that individual temperaments can still vary, and socialisation is important for both breeds to make a pet suitable for homes with children and other dogs. Time can help overcome some of the more problematic aspects of each breed and good insurance can help to cover any of the medical issues associated with each breed. At the end of the day, both collies can make great companions for families with a bit of time available.
Discussion