Longevity
Life expectancy
It generally lives between 12 and 14 years. A balanced diet, a stable weight, regular activity and preventive veterinary check-ups help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its build is solid and its double coat offers it good protection against bad weather. Its robustness nevertheless remains average due to ocular, joint, endocrine, ear and skin predispositions that justify targeted monitoring.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Regular monitoring helps to detect early the disorders to which the breed may be predisposed. Any drop in energy, lameness, visual discomfort, skin irritation or ear pain should lead to consulting a veterinarian.
Otitis: Drooping, thick ears can trap moisture and debris, which requires appropriate checks and cleaning.
Progressive retinal atrophy: This hereditary retinal condition leads to a gradual loss of vision and warrants ophthalmological screening.
Hip dysplasia: Poor congruence of the joint can cause pain and osteoarthritis, with a risk to be limited through screening and controlled growth.
Addison's disease: This adrenal gland insufficiency can cause fatigue, digestive disorders and weakness, and requires a veterinary diagnosis.
Skin conditions: The dense coat can hide irritations or lesions, hence the benefit of regularly inspecting the skin during brushing.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its dense undercoat gives it good tolerance to cold and bad weather. It copes less well with high heat: exertion should then be limited to the cooler hours, with permanent access to shade and water. The coat must not be clipped without professional advice, as it contributes to thermal protection.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The ration must follow age, weight, body condition and activity level. Despite a low natural tendency to become overweight, a less active Bearded Collie can gain weight. Regular weighing, counted treats and daily activity help maintain an athletic silhouette.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Inspect and clean the ears with a suitable product.
- Have the eyes and vision checked regularly.
- Brush down to the skin to spot knots and irritations.
- Maintain a stable weight to preserve the joints.
- Adjust exertion during growth and in high heat.
- Follow vaccinations, antiparasitics and the annual veterinary check-up.
Vaccination
Bearded Collie vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Bearded Collie need? Like all dogs, Bearded Collies should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Bearded Collie vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Bearded Collie booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Bearded Collie need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Bearded Collie
Before breeding, it is prudent to check the hips and eyes, notably for hereditary retinal disorders. A complete clinical examination, the study of family history and, depending on the lines, an endocrine or genetic assessment recommended by the veterinarian and the breed club complete prevention.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
