Border collies became famous thanks to the light hand of Stanley Coren, who compiled a rating of the smartest dog breeds in the 90s of the 20th century. Since then, everyone knows border dogs as unsurpassed intellectuals, and so far no other breed of dog has been found that can knock them off this pedestal.
Add the perfect size to an outstanding mind. Border collies cannot be called a decorative dog - their weight reaches 15-20 kg. But at the same time, the pet can be picked up if necessary, and food costs will be significantly lower than for owners of large dogs - Mountain Dogs, Shepherds, Labradors.
A border collie is a real dog))) photo @fantastic_mr.k
Lastly, Borders have amazing personalities! These are friendly, playful, curious dogs, not prone to aggression.
Why then don't we see them everywhere on the street? Why do they remain a “breed for the elite”, far inferior in popularity to retrievers, Germans, French bulldogs and other dogs?
Obviously there is a reason. In this article, I will try not to mindlessly praise the Border Collie dog breed. Without a doubt, these are outstanding dogs, but they also have disadvantages, especially for urban keeping.
Photo courtesy of @slodziakoofficial from Warsaw: shepherd's trials
The Border Collie is a breed of herding dog that was bred on the border of England and Scotland. Their task was not to protect sheep from predators (by the 19th century all wolves were exterminated in Great Britain), but to manage a flock of sheep. Working dogs also searched for lost sheep and returned them to the herd.
Author of the article: Olga Shiltsova, practicing veterinarian, author of the books “Dachshund of Fate” and “Tails of Fortune”
Description of the Border Collie breed
Popularity 4th among 263 dog breeds
Lifespan:
13-15 years old
Breed group:
Shepherd's
Height:
males: 50-53 cm, females: 47-52 cm
Country of origin:
England
Average price:
25-35 thousand rubles
Weight:
15-20 kg
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Key facts
Surely you have heard more than once that the border collie is considered the smartest dog in the world. And these are not unfounded statements: scientists have tried and proven it scientifically. And the characteristics of the Border Collie breed speak eloquently: you cannot find smarter dogs.
One look at a video or photo of a border collie is enough to understand: this is an ancient herding breed, and “shepherds,” as you know, are distinguished by incredible intelligence. It would be more accurate to use the word “intelligence” - these animals are so smart.
Border Collies are extremely active and active, and tireless work in any social environment is in their blood. Whether it is a family, an emergency team or a herd, the borderer will use his skills to the maximum.
Brief description of the Border Collie breed: super active, freedom-loving, smart people who are very loyal to their owner; They are happy to carry out any instructions, but their strong point is to look after and shepherd.
The health and life expectancy of border collies is encouraging: with a minimum of possible diseases, dogs live on average 15 years.
The Dark Side of the Breed: 3 Cons of the Border Collie
In their natural conditions, border collies do not have any “disadvantages”. On the contrary, they are perfect. But they are ideal as working dogs, not city companions. Therefore, we list the features of borders that can cause trouble specifically in apartment maintenance.
Smarter than a normal dog
Gorgeous brains like those of a border collie are the pride and dignity of the breed. Can high intelligence be a disadvantage? Yes, because it imposes huge obligations on the owner.
Owners need to constantly find something to do for an inquisitive mind and keep the dog busy. Good breeders do not sell Border Collie puppies “for the couch”; they are always taken for specific activities. For example, agility, freestyle, herding competitions.
You should throw me a stick. Is this clear, man, or does it need to be repeated?
The pet learns quickly - and not only the good, but also the bad. A border collie will come up with a thousand and one ways to outsmart its owner. If you direct such a bright mind towards destruction, expect disaster.
Very active, “racers”
Border Collies are naturally incredibly energetic dogs. Chasing is in their blood, so a young dog will chase cars, cyclists, birds and cats. The owner must be prepared for sudden jerks and protect the pet from injury. “Catch-up” needs to be nipped in the bud; it is very difficult to wean a dog from an established behavior pattern.
Sorry, one more question! Can't you run after pigeons either?
Border collies need daily exercise, but in addition to muscles, the dog's intelligence must be used. One thing is certain: a border dog should not sleep all day while waiting for its owner to get home from work. Otherwise, owners are faced with the fact that the pet barks and howls alone. It also destroys repairs, shoes and furniture.
Pronounced herding instinct
The fact is that Border Collies are herding dogs. It would seem - so what, you never know the number of breeds in the world that were bred as shepherds. But the problem is that in the Border Collie the tendency to herd everyone and everything takes the form of a mania, an obsession.
Short-haired border collie @_.bordermaus_bonny._
For example, a dog may freeze motionless and languish over its favorite toy for hours, not daring to take it in its teeth. This is not funny, because it threatens real neurosis.
When walking, a Border Collie may run around people in circles, making it difficult to move forward. If several people are walking together, the dog will try to gather everyone into one herd. Your wards may include people completely unknown to you.
Often the dog starts trying to herd children in the apartment. Gradually it becomes not funny, but very inconvenient and annoying.
History of the origin of the border collie
The country of origin of smart shepherds is good old England, the birthplace of many outstanding breeds. To be more precise, the first mentions concern the county of Northumberland.
Peasants kept in their farmstead the ancestors of modern border dogs - English shepherds, who were distinguished by their calm behavior, unpretentiousness in food and care, endurance, kind and easy-going disposition. But their main quality was the ability to herd sheep and even larger livestock: the dogs were excellent at managing the herd and for this they were revered as favorite pets among common people.
Since counts and dukes were not interested in herding skills, the ancestors of Borders remained outside of dog shows and other dog competitions for a very long time. The breed was helped by a lucky chance: it was noticed by Queen Victoria of England. She was amazed by the unusually tenacious and flexible mind of animals, as well as the ability to learn instantly.
The story goes that since then, border collies have become permanent residents of not only the royal palace, but also the homes of all high-ranking officials in England. Interesting fact: despite the love of ordinary people and the nobility, the Border Collie was only recognized as a separate breed in 1915. It was then that its name was fixed.
Until this time, selection was focused on improving collie skills: the best dogs from a herding point of view were selected for breeding. Future Borders were crossed with other collies and even with setters - hence the unusual speckled coloring of some individuals and the relatively long coat.
But at the beginning of the 20th century, the history of the formation of the breed did not end - the standards “wobbled” for a long time and were changeable and inaccurate. Only closer to our time, dog handlers decided on what purebred border dogs should be like.
What is the cost of a border collie?
Breeding dogs is a labor-intensive and financially expensive process that takes time. The breeder works on the breed, improving its natural qualities, genetics, pursuing not only the goal of making money. Breeding dogs of any breed is always work that should be appreciated.
The breeder includes in the total cost of the border collie the costs that were required from the beginning of planning the mating until the moment of selling the puppy. Conscientious breeders take care of their breeding animals, maintain good health, namely, monitor nutrition and general condition. Before mating, the bitch is examined, vaccinated, dewormed, and tested for genetic diseases. The male is selected taking into account certain requirements; the more worthy the male, the more expensive the mating.
A pregnant bitch requires special care, including a change in diet, additional feeding, and observation by a veterinarian.
After the birth of puppies, caring for the bitch does not stop, because the health of the babies who feed on breast milk depends on her condition. Puppies are cared for not only by their mother, but also by the breeder himself. Clumsy babies often get dirty, the breeder pays them a lot of attention, including washing, changing bedding, and feeding. After weaning from their mother, puppies are fed solid food up to 6-8 times a day; the breeder has to get up at night to feed the awakened babies. Then the puppies are certified and branded, which also require payment, veterinary care (general health assessment, testing for genetic disorders, vaccinations, deworming, etc.). The breeder socializes the babies, toilet trains them, and teaches them basic skills. All this takes time and money.
If the puppy is to be delivered to another country or city, then all costs of transporting the dog will also be included in the total cost of the border collie.
Appearance of a border collie
General impression
A person who is not knowledgeable about dog breeds may mistake the Border for a simple street dog. This is because this breed does not have any super-outstanding and conspicuous physical advantages. But the expressive and extremely intelligent look reveals a wise dog with roots going back centuries.
Head
The skull is proportional, the muzzle is shaped like a fox. The stop is clearly visible, the dog's nose tapers slightly towards the end. The eyes are harmoniously set, the ears are located closer to the back of the head. Scissor bite, no jowls.
Neck
Muscular, with a slight curve.
Torso
The chest is different in width and depth, convex ribs smoothly transition into the lower back with a slight downward slope. The dog does not have any obvious leanness.
Forelegs
The front legs are parallel to each other and strictly perpendicular to the ground when the dog is in a standing position. The shoulder blades are slightly deflected, but do not connect even when running fast.
Hind limbs
The Border Collie's legs are very strong and muscular. The hock joints are low and laid back. The edge line of the fingers is oval.
Movement
The dog moves smoothly, but quickly. When walking and running, it does not “sag” and stays tucked up.
Tail
It is attached closer to the lower part of the lower back and has a saber shape. The hair on the tail is long and fluffy. The tail may bend slightly towards the end and rise above the back when the dog is highly emotional.
Wool
Regardless of color, the coat can be longer or shorter. The maximum length is noticeable on the frill and trousers, as well as on the tail. The undercoat is soft and dense. The standards do not allow the muzzle and front legs to be covered with long hairs.
Color
Modern border dogs have about twenty types of colors, and all of them are accepted by dog handlers as a standard. The only limitation: white areas should occupy no more than 50% of the entire body. The lilac and merle colors of border collies look especially exotic.
Dimensions
Border collies are medium-sized dogs, their maximum weight (in males, in rare cases) reaches 20 kilograms. The average weight of a Border Collie is 15 kilograms. In this case, girls should reach 47-52 cm at the withers, and boys - 50-53 cm. The maximum height of a border collie is regulated by the standard.
The size of the Border Collie is not impressive, which makes it possible to keep it in an apartment - of course, with frequent and long walks.
Border Collie dog breed: what should they look like?
An uninitiated person will probably mistake a border collie for an ordinary mongrel. Because it is difficult to find another similar breed of dog in which the standard of appearance varies so much. It is obvious that when breeding border dogs, the emphasis was on working qualities.
The common characteristics of all Border Collies are size and silhouette. Borders are medium-sized dogs, weight varies from 14 to 22 kg, and height at the withers does not exceed half a meter. The length of the body is slightly greater than the height at the withers. The long tail extends down to the hock joint and below.
The most characteristic and common color is black and white. Photo courtesy of fantastic_mr.k
And then - some go to the forest, some for firewood. The ears can stand up, can lie completely down, or be semi-erect. The wool can be long, it can be short. Eyes can be blue, brown, or different (heterochromia).
Short-haired Border Collie, black and white. Photo courtesy of @_.bordermaus_bonny._
Regarding color: any color is acceptable, provided that the wool content is no more than 30%. A typical combination of the main color and markings is: a white blaze on the muzzle, toes on the paws, collar and shirt front.
Red border collie. Photo courtesy of @maxsheng_bordercollie
Chocolate (liver, brown) color
Two tricolor color options
Red merle border collie. Photo courtesy of @redmerleheart
The border collie is characterized by a special gait: a running dog seems to be spreading above the ground. They can sneak up on bent legs, and powerful thigh muscles allow them to quickly rush forward if necessary.
During work
On a rest!
Border Collie Personality
The most important thing that a future border collie owner should know is that dogs of this breed require a lot of work. The pet needs constant work, and he will happily endure both routine and frequent changes in activity.
“Border guards” were bred as hard workers, and it was for these qualities that they became loved by many people. Shepherd service is not easy, but the Borders have a craving for it in their blood, and nothing can be done about it. And since nothing can be done, we need to turn it to our advantage.
For example, leave your collie to look after children or other animals - he will happily get down to business. And so zealously that the owner sometimes has to cancel the task so that the dog lets his charges go. If you see that your dog is following you around, you should know that its herding instinct is not fully realized.
Border collies love long walks, hikes, running, and various exercises. Changing places is easy for them, and great physical activity is a joy. It is not possible to keep such animals in an apartment - it is unlikely that the owner will be able to travel 7-10 kilometers with the four-legged animal every day. And for this breed, such mileage is the norm.
The whole world is talking about the border's intelligence. This dog really grasps everything on the fly: what is needed and what is not needed. Useful skills include understanding and executing commands (the collie learns them in one or two minutes), and unhelpful skills include finding loopholes in the character of the owner and family members. Indeed, the borderer knows how to assess people's weaknesses and then skillfully use them to his advantage. So don't fall for his tricks!
Without mental and physical activity, Border Collies become lethargic and may become ill. Therefore, you should not buy a puppy of this breed if you are not sure that you can exercise it a lot. The Border Collie's temperament is almost ideal only when there is physical and mental stress.
Characteristics of the Border Collie
The main advantage of Border Collies is not their appearance, but their character and their intelligence.
Cheerful
Border collies are playful, active dogs that are ready to support any movement. They have a sense of humor and love to make their owners laugh with their tricks. Their face often breaks into a peculiar canine smile.
Charming Kiltro @fantastic_mr.k
They love physical activity. When such a dog rushes across the field like an arrow, it is a real embodiment of vital energy.
Not aggressive
This breed of dog has never been trained for security service. Moreover, Border Collies could care for newborn lambs and other farm animals. If the dog's psyche has not been damaged by improper handling, one should expect a calm and friendly attitude towards all people.
At the same time, you cannot believe in vanilla fairy tales that “a collie will never bite a person.” It can easily bite a child to “return him to the herd,” or an adult if he provokes the animal. Border collies need training. The dog can become a real tyrant in the family if biting and growling are involuntarily encouraged (the dog gets what he wants).
Photo courtesy of @slodziakoofficial from Warsaw
Very smart
After the Border Collie, many dog breeds will be perceived by you as stupid. Training a border dog is a real pleasure; such a pet quickly understands what they want from him. And to consolidate a command, you don’t need a hundred repetitions. The number of tricks your dog can master depends only on your imagination!
@fantastic_mr.k
People-oriented
One of the key mental traits of a border collie is the desire to please its owner. They were created to work in tandem with a shepherd. Borders are able to pick up the slightest signals from a person and carry out commands without thinking about their own safety.
We are responsible for those we have tamed. Merle and Tricolor Border Collie
Hardy, efficient
Border collies have a strong constitution and are able to withstand severe physical exertion. But there is an important point that border owners should know. This dog will work without showing dissatisfaction or signs of fatigue. She will eventually drop dead if you don't stop her in time. Throw a ball to a borderer for the hundredth time, and he will run after it just as willingly as after the first. Not because he likes it, he just can’t do it any other way.
Border Collies are frisbee champions. Photo courtesy of @slodziakoofficial
The owner must give the dog not only exercise, but also adequate rest! There is no need to strive to “wear out” your pet at any cost.
Education and training
Border collies learn at lightning speed. It will take very little time to train them to the desired level. But not the strength - the trainer will have to invent little tricks.
For example, herding dogs do not like the monotonous repetition of the same command. If they get bored with something, they will look at the owner, and the look will read “I understand everything, but I don’t want to do this.” So try not just to train your dog, but to give him interesting tasks.
Puppies of this breed are restless, and in order to raise and train a border collie it is necessary to capture their attention. The best way is to show something interesting, to join the game yourself. Then the dogs will enthusiastically pick up your initiative.
Every walk with your pet should turn into an adventure. Take toys from home, find obstacle courses, go hiking, go to water bodies - make your life more diverse with a border collie. Owners who own individuals of this breed note that they have become more toned with the appearance of such an active dog in the house.
You can train a puppy from 3 months, that is, from the moment you start walking him. But the rules of behavior in the house must be learned by the puppy immediately, from the first day: otherwise, you risk causing great material damage. A collie will damage furniture and show character to get attention. This should be nipped in the bud.
Because of their mental and physical abilities, Borders often make excellent service dogs. They participate in searching for people, conducting rescue operations and helping people in other dangerous situations.
Looking for a Border Collie? Find your pet from 23 offers As a gift
Border Collie Health and Diseases
Possible diseases
Border Collies enjoy excellent health, mainly due to their mobility. But sometimes it lets them down: dogs have hip dysplasia, which takes a long time to treat.
In addition, borders are prone to blindness, both congenital and acquired in old age. A birth defect can be detected as early as two months of age, so you can protect yourself from purchasing a sick puppy - just buy a dog older than 2.5 months.
As they age, some collies experience retinal atrophy, and the dog's vision declines. In this case, everything must be done to ensure that she continues to lead the most active lifestyle possible.
Reproductive health
Estrus in border girls begins between six months and 14 months, and then occurs every two to three quarters. It lasts approximately 22 days, but it is different for each female: for some it can be up to 30 days.
During the period of heat, you should not give the dog freedom: provide walking only on a leash, and if the dog lives on the territory of a private house, be sure to lock it in an enclosure or keep it at home. Natural instinct encourages the bitch to do the impossible, and even the most obedient dog during estrus can run away and get lost.
The bitch begins to be mated on her third heat, and human assistance is required only if there is an obvious difference in height between the partner dogs. In all other respects, mating proceeds easily.
Pregnancy usually lasts 60 days, but sometimes the bitch can transition a little - up to 70 days. If the dog has not whelped on the 70th day after mating, then it is time to contact a veterinarian.
Health and features of keeping a border collie
Borders have good health, and with good care they live up to 14-16 years. Moreover, even after 10 years, the dog can maintain strong teeth, activity and interest in life.
Caring for such a dog is not difficult: they do not need to cut their nails, rub their eyes, or clean their ears. Only the fur requires attention, especially during the molting period. A furminator is used to comb out dead undercoat.
Regarding walks: for an adult dog, walking 2-3 times a day is enough, taking into account the fact that at least twice the walking time will be 40-60 minutes. Nothing supernatural, they recommend walking with the same huskies a lot more.
Tricolor color
The main thing that every collie owner should remember is that this breed cannot be given many medications that ordinary dogs tolerate well. Due to the MDR-1 gene, Border Collies have altered permeability of the blood-brain barrier. Certain drugs penetrate into their brain, which does not happen in dogs without this mutation. This has nothing to do with an allergic reaction to the medicine.
Don't rely on your veterinarian's knowledge! Print and bring with you to the clinic a complete list of drugs prohibited for use in border collies.
Care should be taken when choosing remedies for external and internal parasites, studying the composition before use.
Border Collies should not be given:
- Ivermectin: antiparasitic drugs Ivomec, Baymek and others.
- Moxidectin, selamectin: drops against fleas and ticks Lawyer, Inspector Total K, Stronghold.
- Milbemycin: tablets for worms Milbemax, Milprazone, Helmimax.
- Emodepside: Profender deworming tablets.
The full list of prohibited drugs is much more extensive, but this is a topic for a separate article.
If you are planning to breed, ask for a pair from your club, or consult with an experienced breeder. Among border collies, the merle color is common, for which the M gene is responsible - merle (merle).
The blue merle (blue merle) color is very popular because it looks impressive and unusual.
It is unacceptable to get offspring from two marbled dogs, since the offspring may be born with congenital pathologies: complete deafness, eye diseases, heart defects. Some puppies are born with the double merle gene (MM), and these dogs die at an early age. Borders who are heterozygous for the merle gene (Mm) can also have problems with hearing and vision, so it is better to choose a merle puppy with at least one brown eye.
Merle border collie with heterochromia. Photo courtesy of @redmerleheart
Features of feeding and diet
The diet of border dogs should be designed taking into account the fact that the dog is hyperactive. You can choose either dry food or natural food, but in both cases you need to adjust the portion so that the dog does not starve or gain weight.
Dry feeding involves choosing food with a high content of protein-fat complex (about 50% in total). Typically, such foods are labeled “for active dogs.” It is preferable that the composition does not contain soy, as well as wheat and corn - these ingredients do not have the best effect on the collie’s digestion. The main component of collie food is poultry or by-products.
Natural food should include meat and grains, as well as fiber. These are the elements that your pet should receive daily. Meat means red varieties, except fatty pork, offal, sea fish without bones, and poultry. As a “side dish”, cook buckwheat or rice porridge for the dog and season it with a spoon of vegetable oil.
Regarding fiber, it is vital for this breed. What's ideal:
- apples;
- spinach;
- zucchini and pumpkin;
- cabbage (especially broccoli);
- green beans (other legumes are not recommended).
Vegetables are steamed or scalded with boiling water, chopped and served along with meat. It is recommended to give borders kelp, a boiled egg, and a fermented milk product without sugar and salt once a week.
Care and maintenance
As already mentioned, these active pets have no place in the apartment. The ideal option is a spacious enclosure or space on the territory of a private house, where the dog will have the opportunity to run and frolic. If you have other pets or children, don't deprive your collie of the fun to "get" them.
If you really want to have a border collie in your apartment, take him for long walks every day. It is better to choose an area with obstacles or take toys with you. In the summer, you can go to ponds and let the animal swim.
There is one more “minus” in favor of a border in an apartment - heavy seasonal shedding. Get ready to remove wool from everywhere in the fall and spring, and sometimes (due to heating) in the winter. During this difficult period, it is necessary to scratch your collie daily with good combs.
At other times, it is enough to comb the dog once or twice a week and remove any tangles that have arisen. It is not necessary to take your animal to the groomer - only if you will be exhibiting. Bathing often is not recommended - the procedure should be performed a couple of times a month.
Otherwise, the care and maintenance of a border collie is the same as for any other dog: brush your teeth, ears, and wipe your eyes 1-2 times a week. Collie nails usually grind down on their own, but if there are problems, do it once a month or two.
Reviews from border collie owners
“Borderers are not monsters who need their own home and hectares of land. Our Troy never caused chaos in the apartment, and did not require any incredible loads. Yes, he’s active and hardy, but he’s also not a fool to lie on the couch))) The hardest thing about owning a border collie is convincing the breeder that you are worthy of a puppy of this breed. And then that’s it, you can’t perceive other dogs anymore, the difference in intelligence is too obvious.”
“Lucy mastered most of the basic dog commands at just three months old! We thought it was incredible. Now she is 4 years old, she enjoys studying and loves forest walks. Kind but cunning dog! She can depict any emotion on her face, but she is best at “undeserved insults.” It’s impossible to swear at her, so we dance to the tune of our chocolate favorite.”
“Our Rick is a rare Border color (blue merle). While he was growing up, countless shoes and half of the apartment were eaten. Moreover, we had an enclosure set up, but over and over again he found a way to get out of there. Now he is a faithful friend and companion. You have to walk a lot, but my husband and I enjoy it.”
“Smart, curious, with a keen eye for dogs. Border cannot be locked within four walls and left for work until the evening. I have three of them, and they are all busy – we do dog sports, we go to competitions. I don’t recommend anyone get a border collie because they are “the cutest and the smartest.” On the contrary, I try to dissuade: people do not fully understand what they are signing up for. This is a dog for the elite"
Tips for choosing a puppy
Regardless of where you go for your future friend - to a nursery or to a private breeder - remember a few golden rules. They will help you choose a healthy puppy without any mixture of other breeds:
- the baby is active, shows interest in everything that happens around him;
- at the same time, the kitten does not have nervousness and timidity - a healthy collie is very brave and curious;
- Border Collie puppies are well-fed, their eyes are sparkling, their ears are clean, and their teeth are straight;
- the mother of the children is calm and healthy (you can ask for a certificate);
- pay attention to the puppy’s vision - he should respond well to movement next to him;
- The place where the bitch and her cubs live should be clean, tidy, and free of unpleasant odors.
If you see a discrepancy in at least one point, it is better to refuse to purchase a puppy in this place. If you are satisfied with everything, but have doubts about the purebred, use the services of a specialist dog handler. For a small amount, he will accompany you and give comprehensive advice.
Before taking your puppy home, be sure to ask the breeder all your questions. Ideally, ask for a phone number to contact for the first time - a conscientious breeder will be happy to do this. If they refuse to give you contact information, this is a reason to seriously think about it.
Ask about feeding, sleep, vaccinations - this is very important. Also make sure that all documents are completed correctly (if you are taking a puppy for breeding or exhibitions). But, if this doesn’t matter, just make sure that the puppy is healthy - because this is the most important thing.
How much does a border collie cost?
A purebred border dog cannot cost less than 20 thousand rubles. And this price is offered for a puppy with minor defects - this is a pet class, which is not allowed for breeding and exhibitions. “High-quality” breed-class puppies will cost about 40 thousand rubles, and elite representatives of the show class – from 60 thousand rubles and above. Of course, the price of a border collie will depend not only on its qualities, but also on the reputability of the nursery.
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Genetic diseases of border collies
Border collies still remain one of the healthiest dog breeds. They are not wildly popular, so most matings occur in professional nurseries, and not for fun. Moreover, selection is still made not so much by appearance, but by working qualities.
However, some genetic diseases do circulate in the breed. For some of them, a dog can be checked using genetic tests.
Eye diseases
Border collies may have a variety of retinal pathologies, which eventually lead to blindness:
- collie eye abnormality
- progressive retinal atrophy
- retinal dysplasia
They also have cataracts (clouding of the lens), lens luxation, and glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure).
Joint diseases
Border collies being bred must be tested for hip dysplasia (x-rays under general anesthesia). Unfortunately, this disease is circulating throughout the breed. There are also developmental disorders of the elbow joints. The first sign of such problems is lameness in a young dog.
An older Jack Russell and a young shorthaired border collie. Photo courtesy of @._bordermaus_bonny._
Cyclic neutropenia
This is a blood disease in which the number of neutrophils periodically sharply decreases. Dogs with cyclic neutropenia usually do not survive past 2 years of age due to their susceptibility to infection and bleeding. Sick puppies are easy to recognize - they are smaller than their littermates, and the first signs of illness appear as early as 2-3 months.
The problem is that the disease is transmitted in a recessive manner. A dog may not be sick, but be a carrier of a defective gene. If you breed two carriers, the disease will appear in 25% of puppies. Therefore, it makes sense to conduct genetic testing of breeding dogs.
Another name for the disease is gray collie syndrome, as it is accompanied by lightening of the color.
The blue merle color has nothing to do with gray collie syndrome
Epilepsy
Idiopathic (hereditary) epilepsy occurs in Border Collies. This is a rare disease, but the problem is that breeders often keep silent about the appearance of epileptics in the breeding line. Symptoms of the disease (fits with convulsions) first appear between the ages of 2 and 5 years.
