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FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is a tireless Scottish herding dog with a working engine and a famously profuse double coat — two traits that decide exactly how a Beardie should be fed.

Here is how to feed a Bearded Collie on freeze-dried raw: by weight and life stage, with the protein, fat and joint nutrition that fuel a herder and keep that long coat in good shape.

  • Adult weight45–55 lb
  • SizeMedium
  • EnergyHigh
  • Lifespan12–14 years
  • CoatLong, shaggy double coat — moderate, regular shedder
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A healthy Bearded Collie
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Bearded Collie's body needs

Every Bearded Collie trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Tireless herding drive

    Needs: High-quality animal protein

    83% meat, organs and bone fuels lean muscle and steady, all-day energy for a working herder — without the carb fillers that spike and crash.

  • Profuse double coat

    Needs: Omega-3 fatty acids

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside, supporting a healthy, less-matted coat and easing seasonal shedding.

  • Hip dysplasia risk

    Needs: Joint support + lean weight

    Real meat, organ and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3s calm joint inflammation, and staying lean takes load off the hips.

  • Athletic medium build

    Needs: Lean protein, honest calories

    Measured freeze-dried raw fed by weight keeps a Beardie trim and agile — the single biggest lever for long-term joint comfort and a longer life.

  • Sharp, curious mind

    Needs: Stable, whole-food fuel

    Minimally processed raw delivers steady energy for training and mental work, without the starchy fillers that can leave a busy dog flat.

How much to feed a Bearded Collie

Quick answer: a healthy adult Bearded Collie (45–55 lb) needs about 6.8–8.3 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
45 lb 6.8 oz 3.4 oz
48 lb 7.2 oz 3.6 oz
51 lb typical Bearded Collie 7.7 oz 3.8 oz
54 lb 8.1 oz 4.1 oz
55 lb 8.3 oz 4.1 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

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What to feed a Bearded Collie

For a Bearded Collie we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed filler — or as a topper while you transition.

Lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod suit easy keepers, while richer Salmon adds the skin-and-coat omegas a double-coated Beardie thrives on. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Bearded Collies

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Daily support for Bearded Collies

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Treats Bearded Collies love

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Feeding a Bearded Collie by life stage

  • Puppy: Bearded Collie puppies grow into a medium athletic frame, so steady growth protects developing joints. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 meals and avoid overfeeding — fast growth can raise hip dysplasia risk.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, athletic waist split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition under that coat, not the bag.
  • Senior: Activity eases with age but appetite often does not. Trim portions, keep protein high to preserve lean muscle, and lean into joint- and coat-supporting nutrition.

Common Bearded Collie concerns — and the diet connection

  • Hip dysplasiaLargely genetic, but lean weight plus joint nutrients (glucosamine from real bone and cartilage, plus omega-3) help support comfort and day-to-day mobility.
  • Coat & skin healthThat long double coat depends on a healthy skin barrier — an omega-rich, whole-food, low-filler diet supports skin and coat condition and helps tame heavy shedding.
  • Weight & joint loadKeeping a Beardie lean with measured raw feeding reduces strain on the hips and supports the agility this active herder relies on.
  • Energy & lean muscleA working herding dog runs on clean animal protein and fat for sustained energy and muscle maintenance — not on carbohydrate fillers.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Bearded Collie: what to know

A Beardie is built to work all day, so it runs best on clean animal protein and fat rather than carb fillers that spike then fade. Feed to a lean, athletic body condition — you should feel the ribs easily under the coat and see a waist from above, which the coat can hide.

Many Beardies eat quickly and stay busy, so weigh portions instead of eyeballing them and re-check the amount every few weeks, especially after any drop in activity or a quieter season.

Bearded Collie feeding questions

How much should I feed my Bearded Collie?
A healthy adult Beardie (45–55 lb) needs roughly 7–9 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble — feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Bearded Collie's coat?
An omega-rich, whole-food diet supports that profuse double coat from the inside. Complete freeze-dried raw with real animal and fish fats — Salmon is a great pick — feeds the skin barrier and helps keep the coat healthy and less prone to matting.
How do I switch my Bearded Collie to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. It is rich and nutrient-dense, so start at the lower end of the range and feed to body condition.
Does a Bearded Collie need joint support?
Many do, given the breed's hip dysplasia risk and active lifestyle. Freeze-dried raw with real bone and organ provides natural glucosamine and omega-3, and keeping your Beardie lean is the most effective joint protection there is.
How often should I feed a Bearded Collie?
Feed adults twice a day to keep energy steady for a busy herder. Beardie puppies do best with three to four smaller meals a day to support steady growth and stable energy.

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  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
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Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.