Far from being a cute phrase, the ‘Beardie Bounce’ is a real “thing.”

If the Bearded Collie were a person living in another land (note to Beardie people, your dogs really aren’t actual humans being despite what they’ve told you), the Beardie Bounce might be considered a cultural ritual greeting. A secret handshake, if you will.

Not just a casual hop, this “bounce” is a full-bodied, enthusiastic leap that is often high enough to reach a person’s face. This trait is so characteristic that it is used by breed experts to describe the breed’s unique, joyful temperament.

But little known aspect of this behavior is that historically, the bounce may have had a practical purpose. Some cynologists think that while working in the thick underbrush vegetation of the Scottish Highlands, Bearded Collies would would literally bounce up on their hind legs to spot sheep hidden in tall vegetation, then drop back down to continue herding.

The upward “boing-boing” also allowed them to scan the horizon, and maintain auditory contact with their shepherd’s whistle or voice. An added benefit is that the bounce startled stubborn sheep into moving. A sudden, unpredictable motion destabilized the flock’s resistance by mimicking predatory behavior to herd effectively without physical contact.

And finally, the bounce’s explosive power empowered the Beardie to perform a quick directional change over uneven ground, and conserve energy during long trips.

The more we look into our breeds, the less random their behavior seem.

But all the instinct in the world won’t let a Beardie bounce if s/he isn’t built right. Well-laid-back shoulders provide a wide range of motion, allowing explosive upward thrust and smooth landing. Flexible and shock-absorbing pasterns act like springs and cushion impact during leaps while enabling rapid mid-air adjustments. A slightly longer body and low center of gravity enhance the dog’s balance during vertical jumps and tight turns, while powerful thighs and a gently sloped croup generate thrust for upward momentum while maintaining agility.

Image of two Beardies running together By Zuzana Tillerova