About the Border Collie
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The Border Collie - Wiki
The border collie is a working and herding dog breed developed in the Scottish borders for herding livestock, especially sheep. It was specifically bred for intelligence and obedience. Considered highly intelligent, extremely energetic, acrobatic and athletic, they frequently compete with great success in sheepdog trials and dog sports. They are often cited as the most intelligent of all domestic dogs. Border collies continue to be employed in their traditional work of herding livestock throughout the world and are kept as pets. In this role, due to their working heritage, border collies are very demanding, playful, and energetic. They thrive best in households that can provide them with plenty of play and exercise, either with humans or other dogs. Due to their demanding personalities and need for mental stimulation and exercise, many border collies develop problematic behaviors in households that are not able to provide for their needs. They are infamous for chewing holes in walls and furniture, and destructive scraping and hole digging, due to boredom. Border collies may exhibit a strong desire to herd, a trait they may show with small children, cats, and other dogs. The breed's herding trait has been deliberately encouraged, as it was in the dogs from which the border collie was developed, by selective breeding for many generations. However, being eminently trainable, they can live amicably with other pets if given proper socialization training. The American Border Collie Association recommends that potential owners, before taking on the breed as a household pet, should be sure they can provide regular exercise commensurate with the collie's high energy and prodigious stamina. A working collie may run many miles a day, using its experience, personality, and intelligence to control challenging livestock. These dogs will become distressed and frustrated if left in isolation, ignored or inactive. Like many working breeds, border collies can be motion-sensitive and may chase moving vehicles and bicycles, but this behavior can be modified by training. Some of the more difficult behaviors require patience, as they are developmental and may disappear as the dog matures. |
In September 1893 (120 years ago), there was a dog born. He would come to be known, as the father of the Border Collie Sheepdog. His legacy lives on in all our border collies. So take a moment, hug /pat and kiss your border collie and raise a glass to the greatest dog that ever lived... "Auld Hemp".
Life span:
The natural life span of the border collie is between 12 and 15 years, with an average lifespan of 12 years. Leading causes of death are cancer (23.6%), old age (17.9%) and cerebral vascular afflictions (9.4%). |
Genetic Predispositions for Border Collies:
Hip - Elbows - Shoulders
You’ve probably heard of hip dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the hip joints to form improperly and leads to arthritis: it is common in Border Collies. You may notice that he has lameness in his hind legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. And the same goes for forelimb lameness with Elbows.
Tests to identify that have been done are HD for hips, ED for Elbows.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD) is an inflammatory condition that occurs when the diseased cartilage separates from the underlying bone. It most commonly affects the shoulder joint but the elbow, hip, or knee (stifle) may also be involved.
Genetic Diseases in Border Collies:
-© Carol Price 2021 and the COLLIEOLOGY facebook page
Although it is impossible to prevent all collies getting some kind of illness or disorder in their lives, simply because we do not know enough yet about what causes them, or the mode in which they might be inherited (epilepsy being a classic example) we are just so lucky to live in an age now where science - in the form of DNA testing - gives us the chance to prevent so many dogs getting life-destroying or life-shortening conditions that would otherwise be that much harder to anticipate or predict.
Not only are new DNA tests for different inherited conditions in dogs being developed all the time, but they have never been easier for anyone to access, before deciding to breed. Just the quickest search online now for what DNA (or other) health tests should be done on what breeds will give you all the information you need. To date, here are all the DNA health tests that can be done on Border collies for different inherited conditions. Some may be much rarer than others, but that is no comfort to you if your dog happens to be unlucky enough to get it:
COLLIE EYE ANOMALY (CEA). This is an inherited condition where the inner structures of the eyes fail to properly develop, potentially leading ultimately to blindness. Some dogs may be more mildly affected, but could still go on to produce more severely affected offspring.
GONIODYSGENESIS AND GLAUCOMA (GG). Goniodysgenesis and Glaucoma Glaucoma can be an extremely painful eye condition in collies, and even result in dogs losing either one or both eyes. At the heart of the problem is some malfunction in the way a fluid, called aqueous humor, drains from the eye. Predisposition to this problem has now been linked to a specific genetic mutation that can be tested for.
TRAPPED NEUTROPHIL SYNDROME (TNS). As covered more recently on this page, TNS is an immune system disease, where the vital white cells needed to fight off infection remain trapped in bone marrow and cannot enter the blood stream. Meaning dogs with this condition rarely live long.
CEROID LIPOFUSINOSIS (CL). Also known as Storage Disease, this is a metabolic disorder where a specific gene mutation causes an accumulation of more toxic chemicals in the body, damaging nerve cells. Symptoms - like abnormal gait and demented behavior - may not appear until a dog is 18 months old, thereafter dogs rarely live much beyond 2-3 years.
MDR1 (MULTI DRUG RESISTANCE) GENE DEFECT. This gene defect makes it easier for more toxic chemicals or medications to leak into the dog's major organs and brain.
IMERSLUND-GRASBECK SYNDROME (IGS). This is a genetic disorder where Vitamin B12 (also known as Cobalamin) fails to be absorbed from the intestine. Potentially leading to irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Symptoms can include anorexia, lethargy and failure to gain weight.
SENSORY NEUROPATHY (SN). A severe neurological disease, caused by the progressive deterioration of sensory and nerve cells. Symptoms begin around 2-7 months of age and dogs rarely live beyond 2 years. Most commonly they are euthanized as their life quality is so poor.
MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA. Characterized by a more sudden and rapid increase in body temperature, followed by muscle rigidity, a rapid and irregular heartbeat and unstable blood pressure, it can also lead on to kidney failure and death. In susceptible individuals it can be triggered by anything from excitement or exercise to specific drugs or an anesthetic.
RAINE SYNDROME (RS). Dental Hypomineralisation: The disorder causes severe tooth wear resulting in pulpitis and requiring extraction of those teeth. This disease can cause significant signs of discomfort and/or dysfunction in affected animals. It may involve relatively high treatment/management costs, and can sometimes reduce life expectancy.
von Willebrand's Disease Type II (VWII).Von Willebrand’s disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs and occurs when there is a lack of functional von Willebrand factor. Von Willebrand factor is needed for the normal adhesion of platelets and for normal blood clotting to occur.
PRIMARY LENS LUXATION (PLL). Primary lens luxation (PLL) is thought to be heritable in most breeds in which it is seen, although clinical signs are generally not seen until the dog is an adult. The lens may partially or fully luxate into the front chamber of the eye, causing acute glaucoma (increased pressure within the eye). Sometimes the lens may fall backwards into the posterior (back) chamber of the eye, which may displace the vitreous forwards. This may then also lead to a blockage of drainage of fluid from the eye and a secondary glaucoma.
NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (Border collie type), A defect in metabolism leads to a build up of a pigmented toxin called ceroid lipofuscin within cells, including those of the brain and retina. This causes death of brain cells, as they cannot function normally as this waste product continues to build up.
MYTONIA HEREDITARIA (MH). (Cattle Dog Type)Myotonia congenita also known as myotonia hereditaria (Australian cattle dog type) is an inherited muscle disorder affecting dogs. The muscle cells of an affected dog are over-excitable, which causes muscles to remain contracted rather than relaxing after voluntary activity.
DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY (DM). Signs are due to the immune-mediated destruction of a part of the nerves in the spinal cord, leading to loss of these nerve fibers. The first sign is knuckling of the hind feet, and hind limb ataxia. Once the spinal cord damage progresses past this initial stage (termed proprioceptive deficits), the effectiveness (if any) of treatment is much diminished.
Genetic Diseases that cannot be DNA tested:
Epilepsy: Seizures often occur at times of changing brain activity, such as during excitement or feeding, or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up. Affected dogs can appear completely normal between seizures.
Border Collie Collapse or "the wobbles" is a disease found in many herding/working breeds. The cause is currently unknown. Border Collie Collapse seems to be related to high-intensity exercises that are found to be particularly exciting to the individual dog. For example, some dogs cannot retrieve a tennis ball, as they find this activity highly stimulating, but can run for several miles with no symptoms of Border Collie Collapse. Symptoms commonly include disorientation, mental dullness, loss of attention, unsteady hind legs, dragging of hind legs, and ultimately the need to sit or lay down. Loss of consciousness and seizure-like trembling/spasms are not characteristics of Border Collie Collapse. There is no current diagnostic test or veterinary workup that can confirm Border Collie Collapse and the diagnosis is often given as a diagnosis of exclusion or based on clinical symptoms. There is no current treatment recommended, and it is advised to limit the episodes by avoiding the activities that trigger the collapse.
Despite not being able to test for the above, there are databases that report any border collies that may be affected. And one of the very important reasons to get a dog with a pedigree is so that you can find all the genetic information linked to affected dogs so that it is preventable to breed dogs with the above mentioned genetic diseases.
How do you choose a border collie with no health problems?:
It's important to find a breeder that has tested their border collie with as many genetic diseases as possible. Additional to the DNA tests outlined here that can be done on Border collies, prior to breeding,
You should always expect to pay more for any puppy whose parents have been more fully health tested or screened, due to the extra costs involved for the breeder. But I hope this feature now helps everyone better understand how many inherited health conditions in collies are now totally preventable.
Understanding Results on one's pedigree:
Genetic testing is available for the screening of breeding animals, so that two carriers (or any affected animals) are not bred.
Hip - Elbows - Shoulders
You’ve probably heard of hip dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the hip joints to form improperly and leads to arthritis: it is common in Border Collies. You may notice that he has lameness in his hind legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. And the same goes for forelimb lameness with Elbows.
Tests to identify that have been done are HD for hips, ED for Elbows.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD) is an inflammatory condition that occurs when the diseased cartilage separates from the underlying bone. It most commonly affects the shoulder joint but the elbow, hip, or knee (stifle) may also be involved.
Genetic Diseases in Border Collies:
-© Carol Price 2021 and the COLLIEOLOGY facebook page
Although it is impossible to prevent all collies getting some kind of illness or disorder in their lives, simply because we do not know enough yet about what causes them, or the mode in which they might be inherited (epilepsy being a classic example) we are just so lucky to live in an age now where science - in the form of DNA testing - gives us the chance to prevent so many dogs getting life-destroying or life-shortening conditions that would otherwise be that much harder to anticipate or predict.
Not only are new DNA tests for different inherited conditions in dogs being developed all the time, but they have never been easier for anyone to access, before deciding to breed. Just the quickest search online now for what DNA (or other) health tests should be done on what breeds will give you all the information you need. To date, here are all the DNA health tests that can be done on Border collies for different inherited conditions. Some may be much rarer than others, but that is no comfort to you if your dog happens to be unlucky enough to get it:
COLLIE EYE ANOMALY (CEA). This is an inherited condition where the inner structures of the eyes fail to properly develop, potentially leading ultimately to blindness. Some dogs may be more mildly affected, but could still go on to produce more severely affected offspring.
GONIODYSGENESIS AND GLAUCOMA (GG). Goniodysgenesis and Glaucoma Glaucoma can be an extremely painful eye condition in collies, and even result in dogs losing either one or both eyes. At the heart of the problem is some malfunction in the way a fluid, called aqueous humor, drains from the eye. Predisposition to this problem has now been linked to a specific genetic mutation that can be tested for.
TRAPPED NEUTROPHIL SYNDROME (TNS). As covered more recently on this page, TNS is an immune system disease, where the vital white cells needed to fight off infection remain trapped in bone marrow and cannot enter the blood stream. Meaning dogs with this condition rarely live long.
CEROID LIPOFUSINOSIS (CL). Also known as Storage Disease, this is a metabolic disorder where a specific gene mutation causes an accumulation of more toxic chemicals in the body, damaging nerve cells. Symptoms - like abnormal gait and demented behavior - may not appear until a dog is 18 months old, thereafter dogs rarely live much beyond 2-3 years.
MDR1 (MULTI DRUG RESISTANCE) GENE DEFECT. This gene defect makes it easier for more toxic chemicals or medications to leak into the dog's major organs and brain.
IMERSLUND-GRASBECK SYNDROME (IGS). This is a genetic disorder where Vitamin B12 (also known as Cobalamin) fails to be absorbed from the intestine. Potentially leading to irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system. Symptoms can include anorexia, lethargy and failure to gain weight.
SENSORY NEUROPATHY (SN). A severe neurological disease, caused by the progressive deterioration of sensory and nerve cells. Symptoms begin around 2-7 months of age and dogs rarely live beyond 2 years. Most commonly they are euthanized as their life quality is so poor.
MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA. Characterized by a more sudden and rapid increase in body temperature, followed by muscle rigidity, a rapid and irregular heartbeat and unstable blood pressure, it can also lead on to kidney failure and death. In susceptible individuals it can be triggered by anything from excitement or exercise to specific drugs or an anesthetic.
RAINE SYNDROME (RS). Dental Hypomineralisation: The disorder causes severe tooth wear resulting in pulpitis and requiring extraction of those teeth. This disease can cause significant signs of discomfort and/or dysfunction in affected animals. It may involve relatively high treatment/management costs, and can sometimes reduce life expectancy.
von Willebrand's Disease Type II (VWII).Von Willebrand’s disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs and occurs when there is a lack of functional von Willebrand factor. Von Willebrand factor is needed for the normal adhesion of platelets and for normal blood clotting to occur.
PRIMARY LENS LUXATION (PLL). Primary lens luxation (PLL) is thought to be heritable in most breeds in which it is seen, although clinical signs are generally not seen until the dog is an adult. The lens may partially or fully luxate into the front chamber of the eye, causing acute glaucoma (increased pressure within the eye). Sometimes the lens may fall backwards into the posterior (back) chamber of the eye, which may displace the vitreous forwards. This may then also lead to a blockage of drainage of fluid from the eye and a secondary glaucoma.
NEURONAL CEROID LIPOFUSCINOSIS (NCL). Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (Border collie type), A defect in metabolism leads to a build up of a pigmented toxin called ceroid lipofuscin within cells, including those of the brain and retina. This causes death of brain cells, as they cannot function normally as this waste product continues to build up.
MYTONIA HEREDITARIA (MH). (Cattle Dog Type)Myotonia congenita also known as myotonia hereditaria (Australian cattle dog type) is an inherited muscle disorder affecting dogs. The muscle cells of an affected dog are over-excitable, which causes muscles to remain contracted rather than relaxing after voluntary activity.
DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY (DM). Signs are due to the immune-mediated destruction of a part of the nerves in the spinal cord, leading to loss of these nerve fibers. The first sign is knuckling of the hind feet, and hind limb ataxia. Once the spinal cord damage progresses past this initial stage (termed proprioceptive deficits), the effectiveness (if any) of treatment is much diminished.
Genetic Diseases that cannot be DNA tested:
Epilepsy: Seizures often occur at times of changing brain activity, such as during excitement or feeding, or as the dog is falling asleep or waking up. Affected dogs can appear completely normal between seizures.
Border Collie Collapse or "the wobbles" is a disease found in many herding/working breeds. The cause is currently unknown. Border Collie Collapse seems to be related to high-intensity exercises that are found to be particularly exciting to the individual dog. For example, some dogs cannot retrieve a tennis ball, as they find this activity highly stimulating, but can run for several miles with no symptoms of Border Collie Collapse. Symptoms commonly include disorientation, mental dullness, loss of attention, unsteady hind legs, dragging of hind legs, and ultimately the need to sit or lay down. Loss of consciousness and seizure-like trembling/spasms are not characteristics of Border Collie Collapse. There is no current diagnostic test or veterinary workup that can confirm Border Collie Collapse and the diagnosis is often given as a diagnosis of exclusion or based on clinical symptoms. There is no current treatment recommended, and it is advised to limit the episodes by avoiding the activities that trigger the collapse.
Despite not being able to test for the above, there are databases that report any border collies that may be affected. And one of the very important reasons to get a dog with a pedigree is so that you can find all the genetic information linked to affected dogs so that it is preventable to breed dogs with the above mentioned genetic diseases.
How do you choose a border collie with no health problems?:
It's important to find a breeder that has tested their border collie with as many genetic diseases as possible. Additional to the DNA tests outlined here that can be done on Border collies, prior to breeding,
You should always expect to pay more for any puppy whose parents have been more fully health tested or screened, due to the extra costs involved for the breeder. But I hope this feature now helps everyone better understand how many inherited health conditions in collies are now totally preventable.
Understanding Results on one's pedigree:
Genetic testing is available for the screening of breeding animals, so that two carriers (or any affected animals) are not bred.
- CLEAR: those having 2 copies of the normal allele and appear to be normal
- CARRIER: those having 1 copy of the normal allele and 1 copy of the mutation but appear to be normal
- AFFECTED: those having 2 copies of the mutation and can develop malformations, and health problems depending on the genetic disease.
