The bearded collie is an athletic-looking dog initially bred as a herding dog. It weighs 45–55 pounds and stand 51–56 centimetres. A beardie is longer than it is tall. It has expressive eyes, a broad head, and drop ears. The bearded collie sports a double coat: a furry soft undercoat and a long and flowing topcoat that is straight, thick, and coarse.
The breed is distinctively known for its ‘changing colours’ as many of them have the fading gene. It starts out with dark colours at birth that slowly fade after eight weeks and darken again after a year. This dog breed's coat comes in a variety of shades of brown, black, blue, grey, or reddish fawn. The beardie often has white markings on the chest, face, feet, and tips of its tail. Daily brushing is required to keep its long and flowing coat in excellent condition, tidy, and knot-free. In the grooming department, the bearded collie is a high-maintenance dog. It sheds heavily once per year in a period of two to four weeks. During this time, it is recommended to brush more frequently to keep loose hair under control.
Don't forget other grooming needs such as oral hygiene and nail care. Teeth should be brushed two to three times a week, even daily, to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Nails should be trimmed to avoid overgrowth and to keep them in good condition. Ears should be checked for any signs of infection, such as redness, and must be cleaned regularly.