Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the bearded collie, is a specialty of people. Some historians theorize dogs were originally domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, ranging in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of the tallest pooch. However, the most popular canines are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The bearded collie is another popular choice among dog owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of some of the most critical bearded collie care tips.
Cost of care for your bearded collie
The annual budget for taking care of the bearded collie—including meals and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This is not even considering capital costs for spay/neuter surgery, collar and leash, a dog carrier and a crate. Tip: Be positive you have procured all the necessary items before you bring your bearded collie home.
Basic bearded collie Care
bearded collie Feeding Plan
- bearded collie pups between 8 and 12 weeks need four meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- Feed bearded collie puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals daily.
- Feed pups six months old to one year old 2 bowls of food every 24 hours.
- By the time the bearded collie reaches his 1st birthday, one bowl per day is sufficient.
- Many times adult bearded collies, however, prefer 2 lighter bowls. It is your duty to learn your bearded collie’s eating schedule.
Excellent-quality dry dog food ensures a well-balanced diet to full-grown bearded collies and may be mixed with broth, canned food, or water. Your bearded collie may also enjoy fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these additions should be less than 10 percent of her daily nutrition. bearded collie pups must be fed premium-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to limit “table food”, though, because it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone issues, and may result in some extremely finicky food choices and obesity. Give fresh, potable water at all times, and make certain to wash food and water bowls regularly.
bearded collie Care Tips: Your bearded collie needs exercise daily
bearded collies must have some physical activity so they can stay healthy, recharge their minds, and keep healthy. Exercise also really helps bearded collies fight boredom, which would often lead to naughty behavior. Playing outside can quell many of your bearded collie’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs depend on your bearded collie’s level of health and his age—but ten minutes in the backyard and just a walk down the street every day probably won’t do. If your bearded collie is a six to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will be higher.
bearded collie Grooming Tips
Frequent brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your bearded collie clean. Check for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes bearded collies don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Before a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the bearded collie’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
bearded collie Handling
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously the easiest to handle. When carrying the bearded collie pup, take one hand and place it under your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting his or her hind legs and rump. Don’t try to grab or lift your puppy by her front legs, tail or back of the neck. When you have to lift a larger, full-grown bearded collie, lift from the underside, bracing his or her chest with 1 arm and rump with the other.
Housing the bearded collie
Your bearded collie needs a warm quiet place in order to sleep apart from all drafts and off the floor. You might wish to buy a dog bed, or try making one from a wooden box. Put a clean sheet, comforter, blanket, or pillow inside the bed. Wash your bearded collie’s bed covering often. If your bearded collie will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has access to shade and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a warm, covered, dry shelter in winter.
bearded collie Licensing
There are licensing rules to follow in your town. You should connect the license to your bearded collie’s collar. The license, along with an identification tattoo or tag, could help you recover your bearded collie should she become lost.
Info on bearded collie Temperament
Thoughts on Training Your bearded collie
Well-behaved, companion bearded collies can be a blessing. But left untrained, your dog can be troublesome. Training your bearded collie on the fundamentals—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship both with your dog and your relatives. If you’re the owner of a puppy, start training her on the appropriate responses asap! Little bits of food can be utilized as incentive and recognition. Pups can start obedience courses when they have been adequately immunized. Contact your community humane society or SPCA for obedience schools. Always keep your bearded collie on a leash in public, even as a puppy. Be certain your doggie will come back to you whenever you call him. An aggressive or disobedient bearded collie should not play with others.
Your bearded collie’s Health
bearded collies should see the veterinarian for a thorough assessment, immunizations and a heartworm screening every year, and as soon as possible if she is hurt or sick.
About your bearded collie’s Dental Health
Although we might simply dislike our bearded collie’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it may mean. Foul breath is usually a symptom which means that your bearded collie should get a dental check up. Plaque due to unhealthy bacteria results in a bad smell that can only be cured by the help of a professional. Once you have given your bearded collie a cleaning done by a professional, his teeth and gums can be maintained by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The veterinarian can provide you with additional advice on eradicating oral ailments and bad breath. You can brush the bearded collie’s teeth with a doggie toothpaste or a simple baking soda and water paste twice weekly. Brush them with a piece of nylon stocking stretched over the finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Sometimes, bearded collies get periodontal disease, another name for an infection between the tooth and the gum. This painful condition can initiate loss of your bearded collie’s teeth and spread diseases throughout the rest of her body. The doctor will sometimes clean your bearded collie’s teeth while performing her routine health evaluation.
Breeds with Halitosis (bad breath)
While the foul odors brought on by periodontal disease might not be very serious if caught early, some halitosis may also be indicative of more serious, long-term causes for concern. Liver or intestinal diseases sometimes cause halitosis, and a fruity, even pleasant smell may usually be a sign of diabetes. Kidney disease might be the cause when your bearded collie’s breath smells of urine or ammonia. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your bearded collie has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Fleas and Ticks in bearded collies
During the warm seasons, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular checks of your bearded collie for fleas and ticks. Use a flea comb to remove fleas. There are numerous new techniques of flea and tick elimination. Consult your veterinarian about her or his recommendations.
Heartworms in bearded collies
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from an infested dog to your bearded collie by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infections can be deadly. It is extremely critical you make sure your bearded collie submits to a blood screening for heartworms each spring. It’s also wise to give your bearded collie a monthly pill during mosquito season to help protect him from heartworms. Your bearded collie should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the warmer climates, vets advise preventive parasite medication throughout the year.
Poisions and Medicines
If you’re pondering giving your bearded collie medicine that was not prescribed for him by his veterinarian, don’t even think about it. Are you aware that 1 regular-strength ibuprofen pill could cause ulcers in bearded collies? Make sure your bearded collie is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Make sure you contact your bearded collie’s veterinarian when you have reason to suspect your bearded collie has consumed poison. You could also contact the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four hour help.
bearded collies: Spaying and Neutering
It is recommended that female bearded collies be spayed—the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and often deadly disorder for older female dogs. Spaying also eradicates the possibility of a diseased uterus, a very serious problem in more mature females that requires surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering male bearded collies prevents testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
bearded collie Immunizing
- The combo vaccine (also known as a “five-in-1 shot”) ought to be given to your bearded collie at two, three, and four months of age and then once per year. This immunization immunizes your puppy from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. The bearded collie puppy’s innoculation program cannot be finished prior to four months old.
- If you have the rare bearded collie who has not been innoculated and is older than 4 or 5 months, she must get a series of two immunizations 2 to three weeks apart, followed by an annual immunization.
- Your bearded collie pup’s socialization should coincide with the immunization program. You may bring your bearded collie puppy to socialization courses by 8 or nine weeks old, as recommended by most vets. They should have already received their first vaccinations by this age.
Since laws are so different between different areas, call your community vet to get instructions on rabies immunization. For instance, NYC regulations declare that pets older than 3 months be innoculated for rabies. After the first vaccination, you must have a second immunization the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are several innoculations, many of which are right for your bearded collie. Others, however, are not. Your vet can tell youmore about them. By the way, if your bearded collie gets ill because she is not immunized, do not give the immunization until the dog has made a full recovery.
Worms in bearded collies
bearded collies are often exposed to worms—in all areas, both urban and rural. Microscopic eggs made by hookworms and roundworms are transmitted through an infected dog’s feces. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry intestinal worms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the secret to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be successful against your bearded collie’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best figure out the culprit—and decide the effective treatment.
Additional bearded collie Care Tips
Checklist of bearded collie Supplies
- Top-quality dog food and treats specifically for bearded collies and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Quality leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog bed or box with sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Do not feed your bearded collie the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Grapes or raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Dough
The scoop on poop
Retain your bearded collie on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured spot. And please, when your bearded collie defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, take care of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about bearded collies
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