About the Breed

 Hereditary diseases occur in most, if not all, dog breeds.  There are a number of such diseases that occur in border collies but we are fortunate enough to have a variety of DNA tests available and health testing schemes in place that can help breeders, thus making the Border Collie one of the soundest breeds around.

COLLIE EYE ANOMALY (CEA)

CEA is a condition that affects the normal anatomy of the retina and other deeper structures of the eye, this can be irregularity in structure or even holes/pockets.  In it’s mildest form it will not affect the dog, in it’s severest it will cause detached retina’s/complete blindness.

CEA is caused by a recessive gene which both parents must carry to produce affected pups.  If an animal has two normal copies of the gene, it is classed as ‘normal’ and cannot ever produce affected pups.

If an animal has one normal gene and one defective gene it is classed as a ‘carrier’, mated to another animal with the defective gene it could produce affected pups.  If mated to a ‘normal’ animal it will, at worst, produce more carriers but may also produce some ‘normals’.  (Note: A carrier DOES NOT have the disease).

CEROID LIPOFUCINOSIS (CL)

CL is a fatal congenital disease which affects the nerve cells of the body, it has been found in a number of dog breeds and is fortunately rare in border collies.

Symptoms do not usually occur until the affected animal reaches around 12-18 months old but the disease progresses rapidly once the initial signs appear and euthanasia is usually the kindest option, there have been no reported cases surviving past 2 1/2 years of age.

Prior to the recent introduction of a DNA test, cases could only be confirmed by a postmortem examination.  Thankfully this is no longer the case and DNA testing is available.

As with CEA, the genetic inheritance of CL is via a recessive gene so animals will fall into three categories of genetic status: Clear/Carrier/Affected.