Which health problems are common in the Border Collie?
Border Collies can inherit eye problems, epilepsy and a gene that makes some drugs dangerous. Eye exams, a one-time hip X-ray and DNA tests are the checks breed programmes list.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Border Collie owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Epilepsy. Seizures with no other cause, often starting between about 1 and 3 years of age. If you safely can, film a seizure to show your vet.
- Collie eye anomaly. An inherited problem at the back of the eye, present from birth. A specialist eye exam or a DNA test finds it.
- Drug sensitivity (MDR1). A gene change some Border Collies carry makes some common drugs dangerous, including higher doses of ivermectin. Tell your vet the DNA test result.
- Hip dysplasia. A loose hip joint that wears over time. Stiffness after rest, a limp or trouble on stairs are signs to mention to your vet.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray | X-ray of the hips, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
| DNA test for MDR1 | A cheek swab or blood test that shows whether the dog carries the drug-sensitivity gene. Done once, at any age. | Once |
| Hearing test (BAER) | Measures the brain's response to sound in each ear, to find deafness. Done once, from about 5 weeks of age. | Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Border Collie health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Border Collie, Breeds A to Z, The Royal Kennel Club
- Herding group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Phenotypic characterization of idiopathic epilepsy in Border Collies, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2022
- Dog breeds commonly affected by MDR1 mutation, Washington State University
- MDR1 in dogs, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University
- Hip dysplasia, OFA
- BVA Hip Dysplasia Scheme for dogs, British Veterinary Association
- Eye certification, OFA
- Congenital deafness, OFA
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