Traces of the breed's history can be revealed as far back as the 1500's and beyond.  Weaving it's way through history as a shepherd's working dog.  As the breed became more recognizable in the 1700's through British portraits, the breed became known as the "Highland Collile" or "Hairy Moued" Collie. It wasn't until 1912 that a Bearded Collie Standard or Breed Club came into being.  By that time, the breed was only being kept in existence by shepherds who bred them to work sheep.  But in 1944 England, Mrs. G.O. Williston acquired her first Beardie, "Jeannie".  And eventually she acquired "Bailie" as a mate to "Jeannie" and the rest, shall we say, is History.  Mrs. Williston is responsible for the revival of the breed and for getting certified registries for not only her beardies, but others who came from working lineage to aid in the revival of the breed.  It was in 1955 that the Bearded Collie Club of Great Britain was formed and 1959 when the breed was given championship status in England.  Soon the Beardie made it's way across the pond and Mr. and Mrs. Levy in 1967 are credited with whelping the first litter in the United States.  The Bearded Collie Club of America was founded in 1969 and finally gained recognition by the AKC in 1974.  Beardies were eligible to show in the Working Group as of February 1, 1977.  Today, Bearded Collies are shown in the Herding Group and have been since the Working group was divided in 1983.