Bearded Collie Care and Temperament - Page 1

I was at a luncheon yesterday and was chatting with a woman who has a 21 year old grandson who is living with her and brought his young Bearded Collie to live with him. She isn't too thrilled with the dog, because of some behavior and grooming issues that are disrupting her homelife.

I think she needs to set some rules with the grandkid to step up with his dog ownership responsibilities.

He isn't brushing the dog's coat daily, it became matted and he actually shaved it once himself...on his bed! The dog is counter surfing, destructive chewing on the stair corners and has shown nipping behaviors, even drawing blood.

I gave her a kennel club recommendation for dog training, (Xmas gift idea!) and she was thinking about an in home groomer visit as a gift, too.

Doesn't the dog need some coat for winter protection, and then she complains the dog can't see. And drips water, too. I think the dog can manage to see with the shaggy head but saw from a google, that a uneven trim is okay, too.

Any experience or advice on this breed? Even particular grooming tools that I can steer her to ...for all of their sakes?

Oh yeah one of top 5 least favorite breeds to groom. They are hyper (think border collie not old english sheep dog) They are wacko, nippy hard headed herders. They matt super easy. Their coats need regular grooming like at least weekly line brushing. They scream about every thing. You could not pay me a million dollars a day to live with one. They need to be groomed professionally every month. I use to recommend they get a full groom one month and the next month they get a very through bath and brush.
People use hair barrettes or bands to keep the hair out of their eyes. Trimming the beard shorter will help with the mess, but like Bouves and other shaggy faced dogs they have stinky smelly beards.
I would recommend they use a hard slicker brush and a greyhound comb. No pin brushes. Also get the Best Shot shampoo system. The shampoo and conditioner make short work of matted coats. Don't bath at home, take that stuff their groomer and let the pros do their thing.
It's going to cast that kid between $50 and $100 per grooming unless they get a short manageable clip. Maybe a #3 comb which leaves about 1" of coat.
Good luck with that hot mess of a dog.
Fry

When I took Qira for her HIC, the trial was at a Bearded Collie kennel. There was a lot of down time so in talking with the owners, I got to meet a good couple dozen of them, and also help socialize some 4 week olds. "Wacko, nippy, hard-headed herders" sums them up perfectly, Fry. Even the best trained ones that were used to move the sheep from pen to pen were screaming all the while.

CUTE puppies though.

Too funny

This information is not encouraging! This kind hearted grandma has her unwell husband (recovering heart attack) she cares for, too.

The puppy pictures were VERY cute.

Thanks, Fry and Dawulf for your replies.