Breed Health - An Overview
Gaining a good understanding of the health concerns and considerations of Border Collies is valuable to both breeders and owners, as the prevention and management of health issues throughout the lifetime of a dog is dependent on multiple factors working together. Much is made of DNA testing, and for good reason as the most dangerous hereditary conditions are in many cases the most avoidable. Without exception, there should never be any puppies who are born suffering from testable conditions. Testing of breeding stock wherever possible is of paramount importance, but it is not a failsafe measure for a completely healthy dog across their lifetime, as there are conditions that are untestable, problems that we don't yet know enough about, environmental considerations, and of course accidents that can and do happen.
Whilst an ethical breeder will have done everything within their power to produce a healthy, structurally sound dog, there is simply no way to completely guarantee that the dog will always be healthy and so we need to continue to keep researching and educating both breeders and owners in an effort to improve, promote and protect the health of the breed.
Whilst an ethical breeder will have done everything within their power to produce a healthy, structurally sound dog, there is simply no way to completely guarantee that the dog will always be healthy and so we need to continue to keep researching and educating both breeders and owners in an effort to improve, promote and protect the health of the breed.
The Border Collie Club of South Australia (BCCSA) recommends that:
1. Ethical breeders undertake all key tests, avoid breeding dogs who are both carriers of a single condition or a carrier to an affected dog, and begin to adopt emerging tests into their breeding practises to do their best to avoid producing affected puppies.
2. Ethical breeders carefully research and know their lines in an attempt to avoid producing dogs with untestable conditions.
3. Puppy buyers look for breeders who can provide evidence of testing their parent dogs for the key conditions at minimum, so they can be assured their new puppy won’t be affected by most preventable conditions.
2. Ethical breeders carefully research and know their lines in an attempt to avoid producing dogs with untestable conditions.
3. Puppy buyers look for breeders who can provide evidence of testing their parent dogs for the key conditions at minimum, so they can be assured their new puppy won’t be affected by most preventable conditions.
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What Testing Is Available?
Border Collies are generally considered to be a relatively healthy dog breed. However, like all animals, they are susceptible to conditions that can affect their health and welfare. Many of these disorders are inherited (passed on to a dog from its parents). Fortunately, within the last 30 years, researchers have developed tests for a large number of diseases that Border Collies can inherit. DNA testing can identify which dogs are affected by (display themselves) or carry (not affected, but can pass on the genetic mutation to puppies) these diseases. X-Rays can also detect some structural disorders such as hip and/or elbow dysplasia or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Specialised eye and hearing tests are recommended to screen for conditions for which DNA testing is unavailable. Major vision and hearing problems can also arise simply from breeding dogs of a particular colour together, information which is easily gained through DNA testing.
An ethical breeder uses both DNA and physical testing to determine which dogs should or should not be bred together, to have the greatest chance of producing healthy puppies. They will also make the test results for parent dogs available to their puppy buyers, either by providing a copy or having them available to view upon request. We recommend that buyers steer clear of a breeder who is unable or unwilling to provide this information. Results of official physical tests undertaken in Australia are recorded on the Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database (ORCHID) and for Border Collies this includes results from the Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (CHED) scheme and Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES). Certificates are issued with a QR code which can be scanned and used to verify the authenticity of the certificate. DNA results are issued directly to the owner of the dog by the respective laboratories (Orivet, MyDogDNA etc.), there is at this point no official public database. See 'Genetic Conditions & Testing' below for more information and examples.
An ethical breeder uses both DNA and physical testing to determine which dogs should or should not be bred together, to have the greatest chance of producing healthy puppies. They will also make the test results for parent dogs available to their puppy buyers, either by providing a copy or having them available to view upon request. We recommend that buyers steer clear of a breeder who is unable or unwilling to provide this information. Results of official physical tests undertaken in Australia are recorded on the Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database (ORCHID) and for Border Collies this includes results from the Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (CHED) scheme and Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES). Certificates are issued with a QR code which can be scanned and used to verify the authenticity of the certificate. DNA results are issued directly to the owner of the dog by the respective laboratories (Orivet, MyDogDNA etc.), there is at this point no official public database. See 'Genetic Conditions & Testing' below for more information and examples.
Other Health Considerations
Whilst much is made of testing as a preventative measure, we must not forget that testing can only do so much and is not a total guarantee of a perfectly healthy dog with a great temperament and a long lifespan. Environmental factors must also always be taken into consideration, as they are the major cause of most vet treatment in ethically bred dogs.
Joint and muscular issues can be influenced by or the result of exercise, excess weight or accidents. Knowing how to properly groom your dog can help prevent issues such as heatstroke or grass seeds. Dental health can be impacted by diet, exercise and toys. Mental health and behavioural issues account for thousands of vet visits, interventions and Border Collies being rehomed every year.
Joint and muscular issues can be influenced by or the result of exercise, excess weight or accidents. Knowing how to properly groom your dog can help prevent issues such as heatstroke or grass seeds. Dental health can be impacted by diet, exercise and toys. Mental health and behavioural issues account for thousands of vet visits, interventions and Border Collies being rehomed every year.