The Bearded Collie is said to be a direct descendant or the Polish Lowland Sheepdog, when dogs of this breed were shipwrecked off the coast of Scotland. Others believe that the dog is descended from the Hungarian Magyar Komondor. Judging from the coat and the herding abilities of the "Beardie" it is most likely that he has a good deal of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog characteristics in his makeup. As early as the sixteenth century this dog was represented in art of the day, being pictured as a companion of the Duke of Buccleigh by Gainsborough. The Beardie certainly is very similar in looks to the Polish sheepdog, being tousled and unkempt in appearance and gray and white in color.