Smooth Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison

Smooth Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed ComparisonBoth Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie are originated from United Kingdom. Both Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie are having almost same height. Both Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie are having almost same weight. Both Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie has same life span. Both Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie has almost same litter size. Smooth Collie requires Moderate maintenance. But Bearded Collie requires High maintenance

History

smooth collie - historyWhen you see the Smooth Collie you just assume that you’re looking at a long-haired Lassie-type Collie that was sent to the groomers.

The Smooth Collie has always been used for herding purposes and is a short haired version of the Rough Collie. The early history of this dog is unknown and there are quite a few stories surrounding its history.

It seems as though the dog’s history started during the reign of Queen Victoria who is believed to have owned these dogs.

In some countries it is thought that the smooth- and rough collie are one and the same while in other countries they are classified as separate breeds. The dog hails from the United Kingdom and they classify the Smooth Collie as a separate breed from the Rough Collie.

bearded collie - historyThis long-haired herding breed was bred by mixing the two sheepdog breeds: the Scottish dogs and the Polish sheepdogs. The Bearded Collie gained the popularity during the last century by winning some of the Dog Shows. This friendly dog with the beautiful coat is surely one of the most specific pets. Nowadays, the Bearded Collie is very popular. The organizations for breeding, saving, rescuing and adopting this breed can be found in the USA.

Description

smooth collie puppy - descriptionThe Smooth Collie is a medium to large sized dog, ranging in size from 51–56cm and weighing anything from 18kg to 30kg.

The Smooth Collie is slightly longer than it is tall and he has a deep chest. Most people are very familiar with the sweet, gentle expression of the Collie dogs.

The dog also has the long slender head, the semi-erect ears and a long tail. The coat of the Smooth Collie is dense and long with the outer hair being straight and harsh. The Smooth Collie comes in different colors – fawn, reddish brown, white,grey, black and tan.

Temperament:

The Smooth Collie is generally an amicable dog, sociable and friendly. He loves his human family and wants to be constantly with them, showing signs of separation anxiety when left for long periods on his own.

He is intelligent too so that he is easily trained. He is totally non-aggressive but that doesn’t stop him from being an excellent watchdog and he’ll alert you to strangers approaching you or your home.

They’re also energetic dogs and will require regular exercise. Although these Smooth Collies make splendid family pets, they are still used for herding purposes.

bearded collie puppy - descriptionThe Beardie is easy to recognize because of the longer hairs on the cheeks, chin and under the lower lip. This medium-sized Bouncing Beardie is usually the great family pet because he is very friendly and loving. This breed is extremely active and they are energetic despite their longer bodies. They grow up to have more than one coat colour, but they are all born one coloured. They always have white or cream markings. This smart dog can be very stubborn and independent, if you keep your dog in a yard, he will use every chance to escape.

Characteristics

The Smooth Collie ticks all the right boxes for making a splendid pet.

smooth collie dog - characteristicsNot only is he intelligent, he is playful and energetic too, making a good pet for children and tolerating other pets too.

Add to that the fact that he is a a good watchdog and wants to protect his family. Sweet and gentle, the Smooth Collie is guaranteed to make a wonderful addition to your family.

Children friendliness

bearded collie dog - characteristicsThe Bouncing Beardie is great with children. They are very playful, jumpy and have generally very sweet and gentle personality. Children love them because they never get tired. If properly socialized, this dog can be the main attraction for any child.

Special talents

Herding, agility shows, obedience competitions, treibball, show dogs, trally...

Adaptability

This breed is very friendly. If your family is about to raise the Bearded Collie, prepare to have a pet that is highly affectionate and bonded with the members of the family. They don’t do well if left alone. They usually don’t bark and they are never destructible, but loneliness somehow triggers odd behaviour with this breed. They are not usually scared of strangers. If they are trained and socialized, you will be able to take your Beardie anywhere you go.

Learning ability

Some say that is very easy to train the Bearded Collie. The rule for this breed is to start the obedience training while they are very small. They are generally very independent, and they will try to do things in their own way. If you start your training early before your Beardie forms this kind of personality, you will have a wonderful pet.

Health Problems

smooth collie puppies - health problemsYour gentle smooth haired collie can live to be 12 to 14 years of age if he enjoys a good life, but like with other dog breeds, they can also be susceptible to certain common dog illnesses.

Collie Eye Anomaly:

This is when the chromosomes that determine how the eyes develop are mutated, so that the blood vessels that nourish the retina and absorb scattered light are underdeveloped. When this mutation occurs it is in both eyes, but one eye could be more severely affected than the other.

Your vet will do a complete examination of your dog’s eyes to find out what the extent of the defect is.

Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus:

This is a life threatening problem where the stomach twists. It is more prevalent in deep chested dogs. It can help by feeding your dog two smaller meals a day instead of one larger one which he gobbles up quickly.

Cyclic Neutropenia:

Also known as Gray Collie Syndrome, this rare disease affects the neutrophils of a dog, which are an important part of the immune system. Bacterial infections and a shortened lifespan are your dog’s lot with this illness.

bearded collie puppies - health problemsThis breed is generally very healthy. They don’t have some major health issues. Some of the issues that are registered are:

Progressive retinal atrophy

The degenerative disease that causes the blindness.

Thyroid glands diseases

When the hormone produced by the thyroid gland is abnormally low.

Hip dysplasia

That is generally the hereditary disease, can also be caused by bad diet or injuries.

Allergies

To food, chemicals, pollen, dust...

Ear infections

That usually happens because of their dropped ears that are not very easy to clean.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

smooth collie dogs - caringYour Smooth Collie deserves the very best food there is because of the wonderful companionship he provides you with. You want him to enjoy good health and a long life with you.

If you buy one of the commercially manufactured dog foods, make sure it is one of the best – packed with vitamins and minerals and good, natural ingredients.

Follow the instructions on the packaging for portion sizes. Also include some plain, wholesome dog food made at home. The perfect example of this is boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’s dry kibble as a treat twice a week. No need to add in exotic spices. Avoid onions.

Try and include some raw meat into the diet once in a while too. Make sure your Smooth Collie has a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Spay or Neuter:

This is one of the best things you can do for your Collie, eliminating the possibility of your pet becoming a parent of unwanted puppies.

Grooming:

Brush your Smooth Collie twice a week. He is a moderate shedder but has a couple of heavier shedding periods.

While brushing your pet, check inside the ears for signs of infection, check that his eyes are still bright and alert and check inside his mouth for bad teeth. He can’t tell you about a rotting tooth and this can cause a host of other problems for your dog.

Diet tips

bearded collie dogs - caringRaising your Bearded Collie pup on a high-quality food is usually enough for a puppy. Make sure that portions are appropriate for his age and weight. Once your pet is more than six months old, they will need only two meals per day. They get obese very easy. Don’t train them with the treats.

Tips for good health

To care for your Bearded Collie, you must be aware of the grooming responsibilities that come with this longhaired pet. During the shedding period, it is required to brush them daily. Bathing is not a regular necessity but it will be easier to keep him clean and well groomed if you care about your pet all the time. Some people like to shorten the coat for their Beardie, and it is usually done during summer. Make sure to take him to regular ear, eye, teeth and hip vet checks.

Tips for games and exercises

The Bearded Collie is a breed that requires daily activity. They have very playful nature and they love to run, play and spend time outdoors. The best option will be a big yard so that Beardie can run for hours without the leash.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
Height Female:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
50 - 55 cm
19 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
20 - 27 kg
44 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 30 kg
39 - 67 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
13 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
8 - 12
5 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Collie
Beardie, Bouncing Beardie
Colors Available:
Light gold, deep mahogany and grey, tricolour of white, black, tan
Black, brown, fawn. Usually with white or cream marks.
Coat:
Short, dense
Harsh outer coat and soft undercoa
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Outgoing, Playful, Stubborn
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  2. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  3. Bearded Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  4. Bearded Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Bearded Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  6. Bearded Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Bearded Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Bearded Collie vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  10. Dutch Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  11. Blue Healer vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. English Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  13. Catahoula Cur vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  14. Catalan Sheepdog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  15. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  16. Bergamasco vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  17. Berger Picard vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  18. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  19. Queensland Heeler vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  20. German Coolie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  21. Bohemian Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  22. Croatian Sheepdog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  23. Red Heeler vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  24. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  25. Blue Lacy vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  26. Smooth Collie vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  27. Smooth Collie vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Smooth Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  29. Smooth Collie vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  30. Smooth Collie vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. Smooth Collie vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  32. Smooth Collie vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Smooth Collie vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  34. Smooth Collie vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  35. Smooth Collie vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  36. Smooth Collie vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  37. Smooth Collie vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  38. Smooth Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. Smooth Collie vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Smooth Collie vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  41. Smooth Collie vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  42. Smooth Collie vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  43. Smooth Collie vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  44. Smooth Collie vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. Smooth Collie vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  47. Smooth Collie vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  48. Smooth Collie vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  49. Smooth Collie vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  50. Smooth Collie vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds