Bearded Collies enjoy being around people, including children (whom they try to herd) and other animals. They may bark when visitors arrive but are not known for protecting property. The Beardie is lighthearted and sometimes rambunctious. He is a sociable, charming companion and a great family pet. He needs lots of exercise and his coat requires frequent combing. Bearded Collies should be shown as naturally as is consistent with good grooming but the coat must not be trimmed in any way.
The Bearded Collie, sometimes called the Highland Collie, or the Mountain Collie, is one of Britain's oldest breeds with a long history as a sheep and cattle dog. In Britain, and especially in Scotland, they are still highly valued as a working dog. He was also used as a hillworker, as his agility and surefootedness together with his thick skin and weatherproof coat meant that he could work in the rainy and cold climate over any terrain. 
Great intelligence and independence made him an ideal working partner for the shepherd and drover. The beardie was capable of being sent on a task alone, returning a few days later when his work was complete!
In many parts of Britain, the Bearded Collie was known as "Barking Dog" due to his habit of continuously barking while working the livestock. If you are considering acquiring a Bearded Collie, remember this trait as it has not been lost over the generations.
The Bearded Collie has a soft, dense undercoat and an outer coat of dense, straight and coarse hair, without curl or wave. On head and legs the hair is rather short, on the body longer and more generous. The coat is long on the underside of the tail, giving it a bushy appearance.
Bred for centuries as a companion of man, the Bearded Collie is a devoted and intelligent member of the family. Stable and self-confident, the breed is well suited to the energetic, outdoor-loving owner with children around eight years of age. Because of their similarity to a lot of "shaggy dog" types, the Bearded Collie is sometimes confused with the Old English Sheepdog.