Bearded Collie vs Rough Collie

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 Rough Collie — at a glance

The Bearded Collie (18–27 kg, 12–14 years) and the Rough Collie (20–32 kg, 12–14 years) sit in different — or sometimes overlapping — corners of dog ownership. Here's how they really compare for an everyday Irish or UK family.

Energy levels are well-matched between the Bearded Collie and Rough Collie — both need similar daily exercise.

Both have manageable grooming routines — the Bearded Collie demands slightly more, but neither needs daily fuss.

For a first-time owner, the Rough Collie is much more forgiving than the Bearded Collie.

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	Rough Collie
Group	Herding	Herding
Origin	Scotland	Scotland
Weight	18–27 kg	20–32 kg
Height	51–56 cm	56–66 cm
Lifespan	12–14 years	12–14 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 →

Rough Collie

Temperament

Gentle, devoted, sensitive, easily trainable. Excellent with children and other pets.

Exercise

60–90 minutes daily.

Grooming

Long double coat. Brush 3× weekly, daily during seasonal moults.

Health

Collie eye anomaly (DNA test). MDR1 drug sensitivity (DNA test). Dermatomyositis. Bloat / GDV.

Full Rough Collie 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 Rough Collie if

Families with children, multi-pet homes, first-time owners.

🎯 Take the breed match quiz → 💰 Compare lifetime cost

Bearded Collie vs Rough Collie