Bearded Collie vs Old English Sheepdog

Side-by-side comparison of two popular breeds — temperament, exercise, grooming, lifespan and common health issues. Use it to decide which breed fits your home.

Bearded Collie vs Old English Sheepdog — at a glance

The Bearded Collie (18–27 kg, 12–14 years) and the Old English Sheepdog (27–45 kg, 10–12 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Both breeds have similar energy demands — Bearded Collie tips slightly higher but neither is a couch dog.

Insurance premiums for breeds with brachycephalic, joint or cancer predispositions run 20–40% above average — check before you commit. We have a free quote calculator here.

	Bearded Collie	Old English Sheepdog
Group	Herding	Herding
Origin	Scotland	England
Weight	18–27 kg	27–45 kg
Height	51–56 cm	53–61 cm
Lifespan	12–14 years	10–12 years
Energy level
Trainability
Grooming needs
Good with kids
Good with other pets
Hypoallergenic
Watchdog instinct
Novice-owner OK

Bearded Collie

Temperament

Joyful, lively, friendly to everyone. Confident around children and other animals. Vocal — Beardies will tell you about their day. Less herding-driven than Border Collies but still need a job.

Exercise

60–90 minutes daily of active exercise + mental work. Built for hills + weather. Loves agility.

Grooming

High maintenance. Long double coat needs brushing 3–4× weekly minimum, daily during seasonal moult. Many owners keep them in a shorter "puppy cut" for ease. Beard gets messy at every drink and meal.

Health

Generally healthy. Watch for: hip dysplasia, Addison's disease (relatively common), hypothyroidism, autoimmune conditions, eye issues.

Full Bearded Collie profile →

Old English Sheepdog

Temperament

Affectionate, smart, easy-going, sometimes goofy. Excellent with children and other pets.

Exercise

60 minutes daily.

Grooming

Massive double coat. Daily brushing if kept long; many opt for a "puppy clip" every 6–8 weeks.

Health

Hip and elbow dysplasia. Cataracts. Hypothyroidism. Cerebellar ataxia (DNA test). Deafness.

Full Old English Sheepdog profile →

Which is right for you?

Pick the Bearded Collie if

Active families with garden + time for grooming, allergy-tolerant homes, those wanting a happy herding dog without extreme intensity.

Pick the Old English Sheepdog if

Families with children, multi-pet homes, owners who can groom.

🎯 Take the breed match quiz → 💰 Compare lifetime cost

Bearded Collie vs Old English Sheepdog