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The short version: Border Collies are generally a healthy, long-lived breed (the AKC lists a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years), but they can inherit several conditions. The big ones to know are Collie eye anomaly (CEA), trapped neutrophil syndrome (TNS), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), the MDR1 drug-sensitivity mutation, idiopathic epilepsy, and hip and elbow dysplasia. Many of these can be screened for with DNA tests or X-rays, so ask any breeder for the parents’ results.
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How Healthy Are Border Collies?
The American Kennel Club describes the Border Collie as a medium-sized herding dog, 19 to 22 inches tall for males and 18 to 21 inches for females, weighing 30 to 55 pounds, with a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years (AKC). That is a long life for a dog of this size, and many Border Collies stay active well into their senior years.
The Border Collie Club of South Australia sums it up well: Border Collies are “generally considered to be a relatively healthy dog breed,” but like all breeds they are susceptible to inherited disorders. The good news is that researchers have developed DNA tests for a large number of these conditions over the last few decades, and X-rays can detect structural problems such as hip dysplasia. A responsible breeder uses both to decide which dogs to pair, so that puppies have the best chance of being healthy.
If you are still deciding whether this breed fits your life, start with our guide, Things to Consider Before Getting a Border Collie. Health is only one part of the picture; exercise, training and time matter just as much.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Collie eye anomaly, also called choroidal hypoplasia, is an inherited disorder in which the inner structures of the eye do not develop normally. According to the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, the same genetic variant is associated with CEA in multiple breeds. The Royal Kennel Club lists CEA as autosomal recessive and includes the Border Collie, Rough and Smooth Collies, Shetland Sheepdog and Australian Shepherd among the affected breeds.
“Autosomal recessive” means a puppy has to inherit a copy of the variant from both parents to be affected. Dogs with one copy are carriers: they are not affected, but they can pass the variant on. Severity varies a great deal. Many affected dogs have mild changes and see well for life, while severe cases can lead to retinal detachment and vision loss. Because CEA is directly preventable with DNA testing, there is no reason a well-planned litter should produce affected puppies.
For a deeper look at how CEA works across the Collie family, read our article on Collie Eye Anomaly.
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS)
Trapped neutrophil syndrome is a rare, inherited immune disorder seen in Border Collies. Neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection, are produced in the bone marrow but are not released properly into the bloodstream. Affected puppies tend to suffer recurrent infections and may fail to grow normally. The Border Collie Club of South Australia notes there is no cure; antibiotics and steroids may help in the short term, but the outlook for affected dogs is poor.
TNS is autosomal recessive, and a DNA test is widely available. It is one of the “key tests” the club recommends every Border Collie breeder run on breeding dogs.
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (the Border Collie form is known as NCL5 or CL) is a recessive neurodegenerative disease. Waste material builds up inside nerve cells, leading to progressive neurological decline that can show up as behavior changes, anxiety, loss of coordination and vision problems. It is fatal, and there is no treatment.
Like CEA and TNS, NCL5 is included in the Border Collie Club of South Australia‘s list of key DNA tests and is directly preventable by testing breeding dogs.
MDR1 Drug Sensitivity
The MDR1 (multidrug resistance 1) mutation affects a protein that normally pumps certain drugs out of the brain. Dogs with the mutation can react badly to some common medications. The Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab warns that affected pets can suffer severe side effects such as tremors, blindness and even death, and that up to 75% of some herding breeds carry the mutation. Border Collies are among the breeds that can carry it, though it is more common in some related breeds.
A simple cheek-swab test tells you your dog’s status. Share the result with your veterinarian so they can choose or adjust medications, including some parasite preventives, anti-diarrhea drugs, sedatives and chemotherapy agents. Our article on Parasite Protection for Dogs With the MDR1 Gene goes into more detail.
If you are adopting a rescue Border Collie or a Border Collie mix with unknown parents, an at-home DNA kit such as the Embark Breed & Health Dog DNA Test can screen for MDR1 and many other genetic conditions. It is a screening tool, so talk to your vet about any result before making treatment decisions.
Epilepsy in Border Collies
Idiopathic epilepsy means recurrent seizures with no identifiable underlying cause. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine lists the Border Collie among the purebred dogs in which epilepsy is more common. Dogs with idiopathic epilepsy typically start having seizures between 6 months and 6 years of age, with a median age of onset of 2.5 years. In a published study of 116 epileptic Border Collies, the median age at the first seizure was 33.5 months, and dogs that started earlier were more likely to have severe forms such as cluster seizures.
There is not yet a single DNA test that rules out epilepsy in Border Collies, so it is one of the conditions breeders try to avoid by knowing their lines. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other causes with blood work, a neurological exam and sometimes MRI. Once treatment begins, it is usually lifelong anti-seizure medication with regular blood monitoring.
Cornell advises that a seizure lasting more than five minutes, or multiple seizures within 24 hours, is a medical emergency. Get your dog to the nearest emergency veterinarian right away.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia are developmental joint problems in which the joint does not form correctly, leading to looseness, arthritis and pain over time. They have a genetic component, but environmental factors such as growth rate, body weight and exercise also contribute, so X-rays of the parents reduce but do not eliminate the risk (Border Collie Club of South Australia).
Ask breeders for hip and elbow scores from a recognized scheme such as OFA or PennHIP in the US. At home, keep your Border Collie lean, give puppies gentle, self-paced exercise while their joints are developing, and have your vet check any limping, stiffness or reluctance to jump.
Other Inherited Conditions to Know
The Border Collie Club of South Australia lists several more DNA tests for the breed:
- Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS): an inability to absorb vitamin B12 (cobalamin) from food, which can cause poor growth and lethargy in puppies. It is managed with B12 supplementation.
- Goniodysgenesis and glaucoma (GGD): an abnormality of the eye’s drainage angle that raises the risk of painful glaucoma. The Royal Kennel Club lists a DNA test for Border Collies.
- Degenerative myelopathy (DM): a progressive spinal cord disease of older dogs.
- Raine syndrome / dental hypomineralisation (RS): affects tooth enamel.
- Sensory neuropathy (SN): a nerve disorder affecting sensation in the limbs.
- Early adult onset deafness (EAOD): a linkage test is available.
Not every condition has a test yet, which is why a breeder’s knowledge of their dogs’ family history still matters. For a primer on how inheritance works, see The Science of Collie Genetics.
How to Choose a Healthy Border Collie Puppy
The single best thing you can do is choose a breeder who health tests. The Border Collie Club of South Australia recommends that puppy buyers look for breeders who can show evidence of testing the parents for the key conditions at a minimum. In practice, that means asking for:
- DNA results for CEA, TNS, NCL5, MDR1, IGS and the other key tests for both parents
- Hip and elbow X-ray results
- A recent eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
- Honest answers about epilepsy and other health problems in the family line
A breeder who can’t or won’t share results is a red flag. If you are adopting, ask the rescue what they know about the dog’s background and consider a DNA screen.
Keeping Your Border Collie Healthy
Genetics are only part of the story. Day-to-day care has a huge effect on how well a Border Collie ages:
- Regular vet visits: annual wellness exams (twice a year for seniors) catch problems early.
- Healthy weight: a lean Border Collie puts less strain on its joints.
- Exercise and mental work: Border Collies need daily physical activity and brain work. Our 10 Low-to-No-Cost Games and Activities are a good place to start.
- Parasite prevention: choose products with your vet, especially if your dog’s MDR1 status is unknown.
- Quality food: feed a complete, balanced diet in measured portions. Our guide to the best dog food for Collies covers what to look for, and Chewy is a convenient place to set up repeat deliveries of food and preventives.
Vet bills for conditions like epilepsy or dysplasia can add up over a lifetime. If you are weighing coverage, our overview of pet insurance for Collies explains what to consider, ideally before any condition shows up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of a Border Collie?
The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
What are the most common Border Collie health problems?
The conditions breed clubs focus on most are Collie eye anomaly, trapped neutrophil syndrome, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, MDR1 drug sensitivity, idiopathic epilepsy, and hip and elbow dysplasia.
Do Border Collies have the MDR1 gene?
Some do. Border Collies are among the herding breeds that can carry the MDR1 mutation. A DNA test tells you your dog’s status, so your vet can avoid or adjust medications that could cause a reaction.
Is epilepsy common in Border Collies?
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine lists Border Collies among the breeds in which idiopathic epilepsy is more common. Seizures usually begin between 6 months and 6 years of age.
What health tests should a Border Collie breeder do?
At minimum, DNA tests for CEA, TNS, NCL5, MDR1 and IGS, plus hip and elbow X-rays and an eye exam. Many breeders also test for GGD, DM, RS and SN.
Are Border Collies healthier than Rough Collies?
Both are generally healthy breeds and share some inherited conditions, such as CEA and MDR1. Each breed also has its own concerns. See our guide to Rough Collie health problems for comparison.
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