The Bearded Collie, affectionately called the Beardie, was developed in Scotland as a herding dog. 

Its ancestors likely included herding dogs from the European continent, such as the Poland Lowland Sheepdog (Polski Owzcarek Nizinny) and the Komondor, blended with the sheep herding dogs of the British Isles.

It was developed as an independent worker, able to make decisions concerning the welfare and safety of their charges without depending on the shepherd who might be miles away.  Flocks in Scotland intermingled freely, yet one Beardie never brought home a wrong sheep during his many years of work.  The Beardie is still used as a shepherd's helpmate in Scotland, and now in the U.S.

G.O.  Willison brought the breed to recognition by The Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1959.  Since then, they've wended their way into hearts and homes world-wide.  Following recognition by AKC in 1977, they have remained about midway in AKC registration statistics.  Beardies are rarely half-way about anything, but breeders are happy the breed is middle-of-the-road when it comes to popularity.  Most Beardie breeders take great care in breeding, raising and placing their puppies.  Although a well-kept secret from the general population, they're popular with those who know, with owners often loving two or three or ten!