Bearded Collie: breed features, feeding and care

Pets are energy donors of people, feeding their owners with positive, energy and good mood, and sometimes they save them from dangerous diseases. The most popular over the years are dogs. Devoted, honest and affectionate animals are always ready not only to cheer the owner, but also to protect. The International Cynological Association has a huge number of dogs, which differ in size, color and conditions of detention.

When choosing a pet novice dog breeders prefer known breeds, but dog handlers recommend not to hurry with the choice and carefully examine as many varieties as possible. Often, little-known species deserve more attention. One of such breeds is bearded collie.

Bearded Collies - herding dogs that belong to the scottish shepherd. Smart, hardy, strong and hardworking animals are often called birdie or bearded. The roots of this breed go back centuries, and there is still no consensus about its origin.

Some sources lead us back to the distant 16th century, when a lowland shepherd assimilated in Scotland, and in early 1900, breeders presented a new breed - the bearded collie. Other historical data indicate the appearance of this species as a result of the crossing of the long-haired collie and the bobtail.

Externally, berdy is very similar to a huge lap dog. The standards of this breed primarily provide a proportional ratio of all parts of the body, the change in these parameters has a negative impact on the recognition of individuals.

The maximum weight of an adult individual can reach up to 30 kg, and height exceeds 50 cm. The animal has no pronounced sexual differences. The body of the dog has a standard rectangular shape with a broad and convex chest, but due to its long hair, the pet seems to be short and stocky.

The wide skull box has a flat area of ​​the forehead and a straight nasal plate. The entire surface of the muzzle is covered with a well-developed muscular system. Pigmented lip folds completely cover a strong jaw, which includes all dental elements.

On the square nose are round and open nasal passages, painted in black. The standards of the standard allow the presence of light nostrils in individuals whose hair is painted in light colors. Smart and attentive eyes have a wide landing, and the look is always forward. A distinctive feature of the breed - the presence of thick eyelashes and eyebrows. Auricles in a calm state are always directed downwards, but in case of danger the animal necessarily lifts them.

Strong and straight limbs have a developed muscular system and pronounced articular zones. Fleshy pads with tight skin give your pet additional stability and power. The tail should be as proportional as possible to the whole body and directed downwards.

Particular attention should be paid to the description of the long and thick hair, which forms in the area of ​​the muzzle thick beard, mustache and eyebrows. Thanks to these elements, the pet got its unusual name. Breed standards provide for soft guard hair, as well as dense, voluminous and thick undercoat. Breeders discard individuals that have increased curvature and shaggy.

A distinctive feature of this breed is change wool color in the first years of life. The dark coat of newborn babies over a period of several years is gradually lightened, and only by the age of five does it acquire the final shade.

The list of classic colors:

• Gray;
• the black;
• redhead;
• brown;
• brown-red;
• beige.

Like any other pet, bearded people have both positive and negative characteristics.

Advantages:

• energy;
• high aesthetic performance;
• cheerfulness;
• interpersonal skills;
• devotion;
• unpretentiousness;
• attentiveness;
• emotional stability.

Disadvantages:

• independence;
• independence;
• intolerance of loneliness;
• demanding care of wool;
• excessive mobility.

The bearded collie is a dog friend. The pet has a kind, loyal and patient disposition, and its high intellectual abilities allow it to accurately understand the owner and execute his commands. Obedient animal responds positively to the requests of all family members. The sonorous bark of a good-natured pet is a sign of greeting and joy from meeting with the owner, but not a warning of danger.

The playful and lively pet loves the company of children with whom he can play and run. However, playing with very young babies should take place under the strict supervision of the parents. Moving and big dog can accidentally harm the crumbs.

Sociable beast is very negative about loneliness and oblivion. Being for a long time alone with himself, the dog begins to feel sad, bored and may become depressed. Suffering from boredom and loneliness, the pet can make a mess in the house and show excessive activity and adequacy at the sight of the owner. Given this feature of the animal, people with increased employment should refuse to purchase this breed.

In communication with other inhabitants of the house, the bearded man chooses partnerships and comfortable conditions of coexistence. Even in the company of small animals, the dog does not show dominant superiority. Despite the presence of a predator's instinct, the pet does not show aggression to cats and feathered inhabitants of the yard. All his attention is only in the playful pursuit of them and in provoking them to the game.

In order to grow a healthy and strong animal, it is necessary not only to intelligently equip a pet's life and balance its menu, but also to choose the right puppy. Due to the low popularity of this breed, bearded man can be purchased not in all nurseries. Most of the breeders live in large cities and regional centers. The cost of purebred puppies with a passport and immunization card can surprise even professional dog breeders.

The most suitable age for buying puppies and moving them to another home is 7 weeks. It is at this time that the animal begins to acquire independence and is able to respond to the commands of the owner.Another factor that plays an important role when buying at 2 months of age - This is the stabilization of the color tone. The hair of newborn babies in the process of growth changes its color, and the final color may disappoint the owner.

Characteristics of a healthy puppy:

• flat and wide muzzle;
• widely spaced limbs;
• activity;
• good appetite;
• no obvious signs of disease;
• smooth and shiny coat;
• playfulness;
• curiosity.

Signs of a sick puppy:

• swollen belly;
• unpleasant smell;
• deformed limbs;
• lameness;
• the presence of skin pests;
• dirt in the anus.

An unpretentious animal does not require increased attention and special care, but nevertheless the owners should understand that long and thick hair needs timely hygienic procedures.

• In order to avoid tangling of hair and the formation of tangles, experienced dog breeders recommend daily performing a full combing of the wool, without missing a single section. Long hair very quickly stray, which leads to the immediate formation of dense wool clumps, which subsequently must be carefully disassembled or trimmed, however, the clipped areas of wool will significantly worsen the external aesthetic characteristics of the animal. For high-quality combing you need to purchase special brushes and combs.
• To prevent an unpleasant odor, the animal must be bathed every month using special hygiene products. Many housewives collect combed wool after bathing and make warm winter clothes out of it, which can not only warm you, but also cure various diseases. After each feeding, the pet must wipe its beard, on which remains of food remain.
• To prevent the development of inflammatory processes once every seven days, it is advisable to examine the ears, eyes and nose, and, if necessary, to clean them with special cotton swabs or discs.
• In order to prevent hair from getting into the eyes, many owners collect curls on their heads in a small bundle or tail, which gives an even greater beauty to the animal.
• To prevent the development of plaque, your pet's teeth should be cleaned daily with special pastes, and artificial bones will help to form the correct bite.
• Every month, you should inspect the pet's paws and adjust the length of the nail plates with special nippers.
• By purchasing this breed, each owner must take into account its original purpose, and taking into account this information, organize a bearded living space. The shepherd's dog genes are predisposed to protecting large areas, so it is not advisable to settle a large animal in small rooms. More comfortable conditions for the dog is a large aviary in the yard of a private house with a cozy and warm booth. Despite the endurance of the pet and its resistance to low temperatures, during severe frosts, experts recommend relocating it to a warm house.
• To maintain good physical shape, in addition to daily walks, the bearded man needs regular trips to nature, where in open spaces he will be able to rush in from the heart and spend all the accumulated energy reserves.

In case of non-observance of the norms of content and rules of hygiene, the following pathologies may develop in an animal:

• diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• disruption of the thyroid gland;
• allergic skin redness, rash and itching;
• disruption of the organs of vision.

Unpretentious animal does not need a special diet. For an animal, the main thing is to use the maximum amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates. The dog can receive these components both from industrial feed and from natural products.

When self-selecting the natural ingredients of the menu, one should focus on the following products:

• beef;
• veal;
• chicken;
• turkey meat;
• rabbit meat;
• porridges;
• vegetables;
• greenery;
• vegetable oil.

Once a week the bearded man must indulge in fish, eggs and cottage cheese. To maintain the vitamin and mineral balance, the pet needs regularly give special vitamin complexes.

If the host does not have the opportunity to prepare a full-fledged meal every day, experts advise using high-quality ready-made feed mixtures, which should not include dyes, preservatives, flavor enhancers and stabilizers.

To prevent diarrhea and eating disorders the dog should be fed at the same time throughout life. The dog must have constant access to clean and fresh water, and in bowls in no case should not be old and "missing" products.

In order for the acquired puppy to please its owners not only with its chic appearance, but also with its behavior, experienced dog breeders recommend starting the process of training and training from the first days of the dog's stay in the house. The main difficulty of this procedure is the presence of a pronounced independence and independence. An animal in many situations and things has its own opinion, which can go against the requirements of the owner, and only the authority of a person can lead to a clear execution of commands.

The delay in the execution of the team does not mean that the animal did not understand it - just the pet analyzes the situation and compares its desires and the requirements of the owner. Accelerate this process will be able to timely and regular encouragement with kind words and delicious delicacies.

If the owner does not have the professional skills of the trainer and enough time, experts recommend contacting professional trainers who not only correct the behavior of the pet, but also can instill and develop the skills of a guide or companion for the athlete.

A pet is not only a source of joy and positive, but also a subject of constant attention and care. A new family member acquires the status of a full-fledged tenant of an apartment who has his own needs and desires. Before you buy a baby, you need to carefully study the conditions of its maintenance, diet and character traits. Beginning breeders should understand that A dog is not a toy that can be discarded at any time. The life and health of a fluffy lump completely depends on the actions of the owner, whose main task is not to deceive the hopes of a devoted friend.

For more information about the features of the breed, see the following video.