Border collie health issues.

[klouisem]

Do border collies have health issues?? I'm looking into getting one when i'v moved(puppy) never had one before but they have them on our farm. Any advise would be great.

[owston]

They tend to be quite hardy dogs, but be prepared to give them lots of stimulation and exercise. They are so intelligent and can soon get, lets say, 'mental health issues' - I have taken a couple on like this in the past (and it's been through lack of exercise that has caused it) but it's all worthwhile!! I walk miles with mine several times every single day which can be hard and tiring when you have your horses/family etc to do too, but again they are worth it

[sarahp]

Wonderful dogs, but very active both physically and mentally and intelligent as owston says. But there can be some inherited epilepsy here and there, and our last one had a tendency to arthritic joints, didn't stop her living to a ripe and happy old age though albeit on a joint supplement for most of her life.

We had ours to work the sheep here, and in our situation I wouldn't have one just as a pet, although our senior dog is a lurcher who is half collie and a wonderful dog, just as intelligent and obedient but more of a couch potato and less hyper!

[bomerang]

ive usually had collie x and they are the most fab dogs, def think the cross bit helps to make them a little saner! but even the full ones are fine but i have always given mine long walks and take to the stables as well. the current one i have is 15 still leaping around and going for long bouncy walks and so polite and obedient, i love her almost more than life lolx

[idalia]

Agree with what the others have said.
CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) is an inherited disease in collie breeds, not sure how prevalent it is these days, but my friend used to breed BC's and I remember her taking her breeding stock to be tested for it.
Another eye problem occurs in merle to merle breedings, I believe the lack of pigment can cause possible blindness and or deafness.
On the whole they seem to be a pretty healthy breed and I would say a lack of exercise or mental stimulation would cause more problems than other health issues.

[auntiebarb]

Had border collies all my 65 years and wouldn't have anything else.

They have all come riding with me and were wonderful companions, one lived to be 22 years old and came through the forest with me until he was 17.

Only problem I have is they are not too keen on 'guarding' the house. My current one, Robbie will guard the stables, the paddock and the meadow and lane too but anyone could come into the house and help themselves. It must be my outgoing nature, which makes them see everyone as a prospective friend.

Oh, he does go for cyclists's who bomb past us on the bridle ways, which although I know he should not do, secretly, I think it is often warranted, though I do not tell Robbie that - or the cyclists.

Collies do need enormous amounts of exercise though to keep them sane.

[sarahp]

My bought in ones were CEA eye tested, both came from breeders for trialing dogs.

Must admit ours guarded, as in barked if anyone came, and the first one did have a tendency to nip the backs of strange men's legs that appeared - only nipped though, nothing more, then she would back off and bark at them. She had my husband once when he arrived home from work in a taxi - she didn't recognise the car!

[B_31]

as others have said - eye tests - vital!

we have had 2 and a collie x spaniel now - the spaniel x collie has bad hips but the purebreds were healthy as until a stroke and a tumour (no-one could have predicted that!)

they were older dogs tho when we lost them - had a wonderful action packed life of agility and obedience - running over fields and getting filthy ful of mud


best breed of dog you can get imo and id kill for another tomorow if they wernt as manic

[Deleted]

We have never had any health issues with our Border Collies, my hubby buys / trains/ sells/ trials - we have working dogs ourselves - all Border Collies, some registered - some not. All are pets too, we have children, so have to be good temprement.

[klouisem]

Thanks everyone, big help. X