Border Collies are boisterous, adventurous, and active dogs, and these pups make great working companions and farm dogs. If you are considering adding a Border Collie to your family, it’s important that you understand how to properly take care of them to encourage longevity.
We’ll discuss the normal Border Collie lifespan and go over the best tips for encouraging your dog to live the longest life possible.
What Is the Border Collie’s Average Lifespan?
On average, the Border Collie breed will live to be between 12 and 15 years.
Of course, the lifespan of your Border Collie will depend on a variety of factors. These include genetic health conditions, diseases they develop, and their health over their lifetime. Proper care and routine vet visits can help to keep your dog healthy and happy for as long as possible.
Border Collie Health Complications
Border Collies are prone to certain health issues due to their genetics, much like many other breeds of dogs. It’s important to keep an eye out for these specific health issues. Many can be fully treated if they are caught in time.
Common health complications for Border Collies include:
- Hip Dysplasia – Hip dysplasia in dogs is something that commonly occurs in larger and more active dogs. It is caused by the hip joints of your dog being loose. Over time, hip dysplasia can result in difficulty moving and arthritis.
- Collie Eye Anomaly – This is a genetic condition in Border Collies that causes their eyes to be malformed, resulting in vision difficulties and blindness. There are limited treatment options for this condition.
- Epilepsy – Border Collies are more prone than other dogs to seizures and life-long seizure conditions such as epilepsy.
- Multidrug Resistance Mutation – Known as MDR1, this is a genetic resistance present in herding breeds like Border Collies. It can make them resistant to certain types of medication, such as veterinary-prescribed flea and tick medications, and sensitive to the negative effects of certain medications.
- Dental Problems – Border Collies are prone to gum disease, tooth problems, and other dental diseases. They need a good dental care routine to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Routine vet visits can help you catch these Border Collie health problems early. However, you should also seek immediate vet treatment if you notice your dog acting abnormally in any way.
Tips to Help Your Border Collie Live Longer
The following tips are important care items that you can incorporate into your Border Collie’s daily routine and lifestyle to help them live their happiest and longest life.
Only Buy From Ethical Breeders
As you think about welcoming a Border Collie into your life, you should only consider ethical or responsible breeders. These individuals put the health of the dogs first, and they are very knowledgeable about the Border Collie breed. When you speak with a reputable breeder, they will be able to answer all of your questions. They will also have no problem showing you the parent dogs or where the puppies are living before being placed in homes.
An unethical breeder may engage in unsafe breeding practices, treat the parent dogs and puppies poorly, and encourage inbreeding. This results in dogs with genetic issues and puppies who may grow up to experience significant health issues.
Signs you are dealing with an unethical breeder can include:
- Selling puppies on a website like Facebook or Craigslist
- Not letting you see the puppies or parent dogs
- Asking for large amounts of money for a puppy
- Someone who cannot answer basic questions about the Border Collie breed
Make Sure They Get Lots of Exercise
Border Collies are highly active dogs, and this breed requires plenty of exercise and training to stay happy. Your Border Collie will be most at home when they are working or allowed access to the outdoors where they can run their energy off.
Make sure your Border Collie gets three long walks per day as a minimum and daily time to run around a fenced-in backyard or a dog park. Your dog will also benefit from regular outdoor adventures. All of these exercises help to keep your pup mentally healthy and in good shape.
Offer Them a Proper Diet and Nutrition
Diet and nutrition are one of the biggest keys to your dog’s good health and longevity, and it’s important to make sure your dog is not overfed. Obesity and a poor diet can lead to a decrease in your Border Collie’s lifespan.
Always feed your dog a healthy amount of food calculated on their weight and caloric needs. You can also incorporate healthy rewards into your dog’s routine. You can speak with a vet if you need guidance about your dog’s nutritional needs.
Make Mental Stimulation and Training a Priority
Border Collies are very intelligent dogs. This breed needs a good amount of mental stimulation throughout their day to stay happy. Proper mental stimulation keeps your dog’s mind active, and this can reduce stress and encourage positive behavior. A lack of mental stimulation may result in behavioral issues, including depression, and these conditions can result in health complications or problems in the future.
Mental stimulation for your Border Collie can include daily tasks, lots of work at your side (including service dog work), and plenty of puzzle toys and games. This breed also does very well with agility training and complex tasks.
Keep Up With Regular Grooming and Dental Care
Both grooming and dental care are highly important for dogs, and you should not neglect either of these things in your dog’s care routine. Brushing on a regular basis and bathing your dog when necessary helps to keep their coat healthy, and it can give you a chance to check their skin for painful areas, allergies, or infections.
Dental care is also vital. Tooth problems, gum diseases, and general tooth pain can result in long-term health complications and a diminished quality of life. Make sure to brush your dog’s teeth when possible and schedule professional dog dental cleanings as recommended by your vet.
Practice Preventative Healthcare
Preventative veterinary care is one of the best things you can do for your Border Collie. This includes things like spaying or neutering your dog, attending regular veterinary visits, and adjusting your dog’s diet to their life stage and health needs.
In general, monitoring your dog’s health and checking in with your vet regularly can help ensure your Border Collie stays in good health. That you catch any potential issues before they become serious or life-threatening. Over time, this type of care can help your dog live longer.
When Should I Take My Border Collie to the Vet?
In addition to routine veterinary visits, there are a few instances where it is important to seek out immediate medical care for your Border Collie. The following symptoms can indicate a serious health issue that needs to be treated immediately:
- Difficulty breathing, or labored and shallow breathing
- Distended abdomen or painful stomach
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Profuse or unexplained bleeding
- Trouble walking or moving
- Repeated instances of vomiting or diarrhea
- Sudden lethargy or loss of appetite
The sooner you get your Border Collie looked at by a vet, the sooner you can receive treatment and get your dog feeling back to normal. It’s important to not waste time if you notice any of the above symptoms.
Keeping Your Border Collie Happy
Border Collies are incredibly intelligent dogs. These pups need a lot of dedicated care to stay their healthiest and keep mentally stimulated. It’s important that you take your Border Collie for regular veterinary visits in addition to investing in preventative healthcare. Adapt your dog’s care to their needs in every stage of their life.
If your Border Collie has plenty of activity in their life and proper care, it will help them enjoy a long lifespan by your side.
Sources:
Author Williams, Krista, DVM, “Multidrug Resistant Mutation (MDRI)”, VCA Hospitals, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/multidrug-resistance-mutation-mdr1
Author Hunter, Tammy, DVM, “Collie Eye Anamoly”, VCA Hospitals, 2023.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/collie-eye-anomaly
