Border Collie Health Problems: 14 Conditions, Signs and DNA Tests

The most common Border Collie health problems are hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye disease (Collie Eye Anomaly, glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy), deafness, hypothyroidism and obesity. The breed also carries a handful of rare inherited diseases, such as Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, that DNA tests can now rule out before a litter is ever bred.

Overall, Border Collies are a hardy, long-lived breed. Most of their health issues can be screened for, caught early or managed well once you know what to look for.

Quick Summary: Border Collie Health Problems at a Glance

Use this table to scan the main conditions. Each one is covered in more detail below.

Condition	Main signs	DNA test or screening?
Hip dysplasia	Stiffness, bunny-hopping, trouble getting up	Hip X-rays (OFA or PennHIP)
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)	Front-leg limp in a growing puppy	X-rays; no DNA test
Epilepsy	Seizures, usually starting at 1 to 5 years	No DNA test; vet workup
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)	Often none; vision loss in severe cases	DNA test and puppy eye exam
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)	Night blindness, then gradual vision loss	Yearly eye exam
Glaucoma (goniodysgenesis)	Red, painful, cloudy eye	Eye exam (gonioscopy); DNA test for a linked variant
Deafness	Not responding to sound, sleeping through noise	BAER hearing test
MDR1 drug sensitivity	Bad reactions to certain drugs	DNA test
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS)	Repeated infections, poor growth in young puppies	DNA test
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)	Behavior changes, clumsiness, blindness from about 15 months	DNA test
Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome (IGS)	Puppy fails to thrive, weak, poor appetite	DNA test; B12 blood test
Border Collie Collapse	Wobbly, confused after hard exercise	No DNA test; diagnosis by ruling out other causes
Hypothyroidism	Weight gain, low energy, coat changes	Blood test
Obesity	Can’t feel ribs, no waist	Body condition check at home or at the vet

Are Border Collies Healthy Dogs?

Yes, for the most part. Border Collies were bred for decades to work sheep all day, and dogs that broke down did not get bred. That history left the breed fairly sound compared with many purebreds.

The catch is a small gene pool, which lets certain recessive diseases build up. Good breeders now DNA test for most of them, so a puppy from tested parents starts life with far lower risk.

Joint and Bone Problems

Border Collies run, twist and jump for a living. That makes joint health a big deal, especially in the hips and shoulders.

Hip Dysplasia in Border Collies

Hip dysplasia is a loose, poorly formed hip joint. The ball and socket don’t fit snugly, so the joint wears unevenly and arthritis follows. Genes set the risk, while fast growth, extra weight and hard impact on young joints can make it worse.

OFA records show roughly 10% of the Border Collie hip X-rays it has evaluated were dysplastic. That puts the breed in the middle of the pack, but the real number is likely higher because owners don’t always submit bad X-rays.

Signs of hip dysplasia include:

• Stiffness after rest, especially in the morning
• A “bunny hop” with both back legs moving together
• Trouble climbing stairs or jumping into the car
• A swaying walk or thin muscles on the back legs
• Less interest in play or long walks

Your vet confirms it with X-rays. Mild cases are managed with weight control, steady low-impact exercise like walking and swimming, and pain relief. Severe cases may need surgery, such as a total hip replacement.

Breeders should have both parents’ hips scored by OFA or PennHIP. OFA gives a final hip rating only once a dog is 24 months old.

Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)

Osteochondritis dissecans is a problem with cartilage growth in a young dog’s joints. A flap of cartilage forms and can crack loose, which hurts. In Border Collies it most often hits the shoulder.

It shows up in growing puppies, usually somewhere between 4 and 10 months old. Look for a limp on one front leg that gets worse after exercise, or a shorter stride.

X-rays or a CT scan confirm it. Some mild cases heal with strict rest, but many dogs need surgery to remove the loose flap. Controlled growth helps lower the risk, so feed a complete puppy food in measured amounts and skip forced running and repeated jumping until the growth plates close.

Neurological Problems

Are Border Collies Prone to Seizures?

Yes. Idiopathic epilepsy, meaning repeated seizures with no other cause found, is inherited in Border Collies and tends to be more severe than in many breeds.

A 2010 German study of 49 Border Collies with epilepsy found that about half had a severe course with cluster seizures or long seizures. Of the dogs given two or more seizure drugs, 71% still didn’t get good control. A larger 2022 study found milder results, so not every case is that hard.

Signs of a seizure:

• Falling over, paddling legs, jaw chomping
• Drooling, peeing or pooping during the episode
• Staring or twitching in milder focal seizures
• Confusion, pacing or blindness for a while afterward

First seizures usually happen between 1 and 5 years old. Time each seizure and note the date. A seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or several in one day, is an emergency.

There is no DNA test for Border Collie epilepsy yet. Your vet will run bloodwork and may refer you for an MRI to rule out other causes. Treatment is daily medication, and many dogs live good lives on it.

Border Collie Collapse

Border Collie Collapse is a nervous system disorder set off by hard exercise. After 5 to 15 minutes of intense activity, often in warm weather, the dog becomes confused and wobbly. It may sway, drag its feet, cross its legs or fall to one side.

Episodes usually last 5 to 30 minutes, and then the dog recovers fully. The University of Minnesota has found the condition is heritable and involves many genes, so there’s no DNA test.

If it happens, stop the activity, let your dog pant freely, offer water and cool it down with water. Your vet will rule out heat stroke, heart problems and low blood sugar. Most affected dogs do fine once owners learn their triggers and keep play shorter on hot days.

Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (NCL)

NCL is a fatal storage disease of the brain caused by a mutation in the CLN5 gene. Puppies seem normal at first. Signs usually start around 15 to 20 months old.

Affected dogs become anxious, hyperactive or aggressive, snap at flies that aren’t there, lose coordination and may go blind. There’s no treatment, and most don’t live past about 2 years and 4 months.

The good news is that the DNA test is simple and reliable. Two carriers should never be bred together, and any responsible breeder can show you NCL results for both parents.

Deafness

Border Collies can be deaf from birth or lose their hearing in middle age. Congenital deafness is linked to the merle gene and to heavy white on the head. A UK study that hearing-tested more than 2,000 Border Collie puppies found 2.3% deaf in one ear and 0.5% deaf in both.

Merle-to-merle breedings raise the risk a lot. Puppies with two merle genes (“double merles”) are much more likely to be deaf, blind or both.

Some lines also carry adult-onset deafness that comes on gradually, often between 3 and 5 years old. Signs are sleeping through noise, not coming when called and startling when touched.

A BAER test measures hearing in each ear and works on puppies from about 5 to 6 weeks old. Deaf dogs learn hand signals well, so deafness isn’t a reason to give up on a dog.

Eye Problems in Border Collies

The breed has several inherited eye diseases. A yearly exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist catches most of them.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)

Collie Eye Anomaly is an inherited defect in how the back of the eye develops. It’s present from birth and doesn’t get worse over time.

Most affected Border Collies see normally and never show signs. In severe cases, the retina can detach or bleed, causing partial or full blindness in that eye.

CEA is far more common in Rough Collies than in Border Collies, but it still turns up. A DNA test identifies clear, carrier and affected dogs, and an ophthalmologist can spot it in puppies at 6 to 8 weeks old. There’s no cure, so prevention through testing matters.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

PRA is a slow breakdown of the retina. Night blindness is usually the first sign, followed by trouble seeing in daylight and eventually total blindness. The pupils may look large and the eyes extra shiny.

PRA is not common in Border Collies. There’s no well-established DNA test for the breed’s form, so yearly eye exams on breeding dogs are the main screening tool. It isn’t painful, and blind dogs adjust well in a familiar home.

Glaucoma and Goniodysgenesis

Goniodysgenesis is a malformation of the eye’s drainage angle. Fluid can’t drain properly, pressure builds and glaucoma follows. In Border Collies, severe goniodysgenesis can cause glaucoma in young dogs.

Glaucoma is painful and an emergency. Watch for a red eye, a cloudy blue cornea, squinting, a bulging eye or a dog that suddenly bumps into things. Fast treatment can sometimes save the eye’s vision.

An ophthalmologist checks the drainage angle with a test called gonioscopy. A 2019 study linked a variant in the OLFML3 gene to the problem, and a DNA test for it exists. The link isn’t perfect, so breeders should use both the eye exam and the DNA result.

Blood, Immune and Gut Disorders

Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS)

TNS is an inherited immune disease caused by a mutation in the VPS13B gene. The bone marrow makes neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, but can’t release them into the blood. Without them, the puppy can’t fight infection.

Affected puppies get sick over and over with fevers, infections and sore joints. They are often small for their age, with a narrow, ferret-like face. Most die or are put to sleep young.

There’s no cure. A DNA test identifies carriers. A puppy only gets TNS when it inherits the mutation from both parents.

Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome (Cobalamin Malabsorption)

Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome stops the gut from absorbing vitamin B12. In Border Collies it’s caused by a mutation in the CUBN gene, and it’s passed down when both parents are carriers.

Signs appear at about 6 to 12 weeks old, once the B12 a puppy got from its mother runs out. The puppy fails to thrive, eats poorly, stays weak and may have diarrhea. Bloodwork shows anemia and very low B12.

This one is treatable. Regular B12 injections for life let most affected dogs live normally. A DNA test can confirm it, and breeders can test parents to avoid it entirely.

MDR1 Drug Sensitivity

MDR1 (also called ABCB1) is a gene that helps keep certain drugs out of the brain. Dogs with the mutation can have serious reactions to common medications, including ivermectin at high doses, loperamide (Imodium) and some cancer drugs.

The mutation is common in Rough Collies and Australian Shepherds. In Border Collies it’s uncommon. Washington State University, where the mutation was discovered, puts the frequency in Border Collies at under 5%.

Low risk isn’t zero risk, and many Border Collies are mixes with other herding breeds. A one-time cheek swab test tells you for sure. Share the result with your vet so it’s on file.

Hormone and Weight Problems

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland makes too little hormone, which slows the metabolism. It’s most common in middle-aged dogs and is usually caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid.

Signs include weight gain without eating more, low energy, a thin or dull coat, hair loss on the body or tail, and seeking warm spots. A blood test confirms it. Treatment is a daily thyroid pill for life, and most dogs do well once the dose is right.

Obesity in Border Collies

Obesity is the most common health problem you can fully prevent. An obese Border Collie carries extra strain on its hips, elbows and back, and faces higher risk of arthritis, diabetes and a shorter life.

You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs easily under a thin layer of fat and see a clear waist from above. If you can’t, cut back meals a little and count treats as part of the daily food. Retired or injured working dogs gain weight fast if they keep eating like they did when active.

For portion sizes by age and activity level, see the Border Collie feeding guide. Daily exercise matters as much as food, and how much exercise a Border Collie needs is more than most people expect.

Other Health Issues to Watch For

A few problems hit all dog breeds, Border Collies included.

• Dental disease: plaque turns into gum disease by middle age in many dogs. Brush a few times a week and ask about cleanings at checkups.
• Parasites: fleas, ticks and heartworm are preventable with monthly medication.
• Infections: core vaccines protect against parvo, distemper and rabies.
• Skin problems: itching and hot spots often come from allergies or fleas. A good grooming routine, covered in the Border Collie shedding guide, helps you spot skin issues early.
• Arthritis and hearing loss in senior dogs: older Border Collies often slow down from stiff joints. Joint care, soft bedding and a lean body help a lot.

DNA Tests and Health Screening for Breeders and Buyers

Most of the inherited Border Collie diseases above can be avoided by testing parents before breeding. If you’re buying a puppy, ask to see the results, not just hear about them.

The Border Collie Society of America recommends these health checks for breeding dogs:

1. Hip evaluation through OFA or PennHIP, final rating at 24 months or older
2. Eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, repeated yearly until about age 7
3. Results recorded in the OFA database, where anyone can look them up

Beyond that, a good breeder will also DNA test for:

• CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)
• TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome)
• NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)
• IGS (Imerslund-Gräsbeck syndrome)
• MDR1
• Goniodysgenesis
• Sensory neuropathy, another rare inherited nerve disease in the breed

Puppies from merle or heavily white parents should also have a BAER hearing test. A carrier result is not a reason to skip a dog. A carrier can be safely bred to a clear dog, and the puppies won’t get the disease.

If you adopt a rescue with no history, a single DNA panel from your vet or a home test kit covers most of these in one swab. Your vet can help read the results and plan screening. The Border Collie vet care guide walks through finding a good vet and what to expect at checkups.

How Health Problems Affect Border Collie Lifespan

Border Collies usually live about 12 to 15 years, longer than most dogs their size. Inherited diseases like NCL and TNS kill young, which is why testing parents matters so much. For most dogs, though, old age brings cancer, kidney disease or arthritis rather than a breed-specific problem. Read more about how long Border Collies live and what they usually die from.

Border Collie Health Problems FAQ

What Is the Most Common Health Problem in Border Collies?

Hip dysplasia and obesity are the most common problems owners deal with. Roughly 10% of Border Collie hip X-rays sent to OFA show dysplasia. Epilepsy and eye disease come next. Obesity is common too, and it is the easiest of these to prevent with measured meals and daily exercise.

Do Border Collies Have a Lot of Health Problems?

No. Border Collies are healthier than many purebred dogs and often live well into their teens. They do carry several inherited diseases, but DNA tests now exist for most of them. A puppy from health-tested parents faces far lower risk than one from untested parents.

Are Merle Border Collies Less Healthy?

A single merle Border Collie is usually healthy, with only a slightly higher risk of deafness. The real danger is merle-to-merle breeding. Puppies with two merle genes, called double merles, are much more likely to be born deaf, blind or both, so responsible breeders avoid it.

What Do Border Collies Usually Die From?

Most Border Collies die of age-related problems like cancer, kidney failure or heart disease, much like other dogs. Some young dogs are lost to inherited conditions such as NCL, TNS or severe epilepsy. Regular senior checkups help catch age-related disease early, when more treatment options exist.

Should I Get My Border Collie DNA Tested?

Yes, if you don’t know the parents’ test results. A DNA panel can flag MDR1 drug sensitivity, which your vet needs to know about, and confirm your dog doesn’t carry diseases like CEA or IGS. It’s a one-time cheek swab, and results stay valid for your dog’s whole life.

How Can I Keep My Border Collie Healthy?

Keep your dog lean, exercise it daily, and see your vet at least once a year. Brush teeth often and stay current on parasite prevention. Learn the warning signs of seizures, limping and eye pain so you can act early. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog’s age.