Country/Date of Origin: Great Britain/1600s
It is thought that Bearded Collies are descended from Polish or Hungarian sheepdogs traded for Scottish sheep in the 1600s. These continental dogs were interbred with Scottish stock and worked the fields unheralded outside the mountain fastness for centuries. In the 1700s the Beardies had become popular with both shepherds and Scottish aristocracy. And by 1800 the breed was a favored pet of all classes. When dog shows were introduced in the late 19th century, the Beardies path was all uphill. In the years of World War I the Beardie hung on by a thread, kept alive by a few shepherds who recognized its working prowess. In 1944 a brown puppy was sent to Mrs. G. O. Willison, an Englishwoman who had asked for a Shetland Sheepdog. She knew it wasn't a Sheltie but by the time she was able to identify what it was, she was captivated and worked tirelessly to promote the breed. From this mystery puppy came almost all the Beardies of today. In 1967 the first American litter was whelped and the AKC granted the breed full recognition in 1977.