Border Collie Hereditary Conditions

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. An ethical breeder uses both DNA testing and X-Rays to determine which dogs should or should not be bred together, to have the greatest chance of producing healthy puppies.
The above document will list the most current DNA and X-Ray tests available for Border Collies (as of December 2021). Some tests have been available for many years, whilst some have emerged only recently. For breeders, links for laboratories providing tests will also be provided at the end of the document.

It should be noted, however, that some conditions are not yet testable, as the genetic mutations that are responsible for causing these is not yet known. As a result, these conditions cannot be fully prevented by DNA testing. Ethical breeders who have a deep understanding of the ancestry, or lines, of their breeding dogs can try to prevent these disorders by avoiding using affected dogs or lines with related symptoms. These conditions will also be listed.

The National Border Collie Council with whom the Border Collie Club of South Australia is affiliated has a Health Sub-Committee dedicated to developing policy on the health of the breed, including the prevention of ill-health and the reduction of health problems, especially preventable genetic diseases. They provide an educational role and source of up-to-date well-researched information on health and diseases in Border Collies and make recommendations as necessary to the NBCC/Breed Clubs. You will find the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding Border Collie genetic diseases and testing using the below link.

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.

Terminology Used on DNA Disease Panels

​While the reports from different DNA companies differ, the results for each disease or trait should be reported as:

Normal/Clear - 2 normal copies of the gene. This means that the tested dog is completely free of the disease/trait and does not carrying the mutant gene which will produce the disease.

Carrier - positive one copy. This means that the tested dog has one normal and one mutant copy of the gene. The dog does not have the disease but carries a copy of the gene which may be passed on to their progeny (see diagram).  A dog that is a carrier of a disease can be mated with another that is clear and all of the progeny from this litter will be free of the disease, some progeny can be carriers. Under no circumstances should a carrier of a disease be mated with another carrier or affected for the same disease.

At Risk/Affected - positive two copies. Dogs has two copies of the mutant gene.  A dog which is at risk/affected  will either have or develop the disease during its lifetime. For CEA and EAOD ONLY can be bred with another dog that is clear of the same disease and all of the puppies from the mating will be not affected but will all be carriers.
​
Clear by Parentage - where both parents have been DNA tested clear for that disease.  This should only be relied upon where parentage of the pup has been confirmed by DNA profiling.  It is advisable to test all breeding stock prior to breeding.

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