Border Collie Life Expectancy

The long Border Collie life expectancy is one of the most desirable traits that they offer, boasting an average of 12 to 15 years. This is a hardy breed that thrives on being active which eliminates a lot of health concerns other dogs face who become overweight.

You will rarely ever see a Border Collie pack on the extra pounds, they are much too energetic to allow that to happen. Not to mention, although they enjoy their treats, they are not food stimulated so overeating or begging for scraps are rarely issues.

Despite that this is an extremely healthy breed, there are a few diseases that these dogs are susceptible to that can either shorten Border Collie life expectancy or reduce their quality of life. As a responsible owner, you should become familiar with these health concerns as well as signs and symptoms so you are aware of what to watch for and know when to seek veterinary care.

• Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (CL) – The first disease that can decrease Border Collie life expectancy is CL, targeting the body's cells, primarily the nerve cells. It is inherited by a recessive gene and characterized by an accumulation of waste product that destroys healthy brain cells. The disease becomes noticeable between 18 and 22 months with rapid changes in behavior and quick deterioration.

• Hip Dysplasia – This disease does not necessarily shorten Border Collie life expectancy but for a dog who is this active, it certainly can cause not only pain but deep depression. The condition is associated with a weakening in the connective tissues, ligaments and muscles as well as abnormal joint structure. Symptoms include an altered gait, obvious pain when exercising, stiffness and inability to climb stairs.

• Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) – Next on the list of conditions affecting Border Collie life expectancy is TNS, targeting puppies up to seven months old. It's characterized by loss of appetite, fever, chronic diarrhea and lameness. These puppies also often have persistent gastrointestinal and bone infections because the neutrophils from bone marrow are not released to circulate resulting in a clogged or myelokathexis state.

• Epilepsy – Here is a condition that always comes up when exploring Border Collie life expectancy. This is a problem caused by genetics as well as disease, trauma, drugs, etc. Epilepsy is one of the more common diseases seen in these dogs. It is important to understand how to handle your dog during an episode.

• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) – Last on the list of common concerns regarding Border Collie life expectancy is an inherited abnormality that occurs in retina, choroid or optic nerve development. This is a multigenetic trait, present at birth and can be revealed as a puppy with proper testing. Vision can be reduced in one or both eyes in mild cases and blindness will result if retinal detachment occurs.

For the most part, Border Collie life expectancy is long, healthy and carefree, making these quite desirable dogs. Routine vet visits, having proper tests done at puppyhood and not purchasing from a puppy mill will reduce the risk of having to deal with any of these concerns.

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