Alice White
The Border Collie is an incredibly intelligent and hardy breed. The peculiarity and secret of the body of these dogs lie in their incredible endurance.
How Long Does a Border Collie Live?
Statistics say that on average, individuals of this breed have a life expectancy of 12-15 years. However, depending on the conditions of detention, nutrition, and upbringing, this figure can either increase significantly or go even lower.
The most important aspects of the health and longevity of the Border Collie are:
Space. The breed may not feel comfortable in a confined space. An apartment or a house where there is nowhere to “roam” will inevitably lead to the withering of the dog’s energy, and at the same time a reduction in the life span;
Employment. Representatives of the breed cannot sit idle, because these are shepherds and they have in their blood the protection and control of the herd, therefore, the intellectual load is no less important than the physical one;
Diet. It is no secret to anyone that nutrition is a fundamental part of health and therefore life expectancy. Proper nutrition of your pet will ensure the vigor of his soul and body.
Psychological environment. Border Collies are incredibly smart and have sensitive instincts, so the tense environment in the house can also affect the pet’s mood. If the dog refuses to eat, is lethargic – this can be a signal not only of physical ailment but also of a psychosomatic illness. Dogs also know how to worry and be sad.
Border Collies: Health Issues
Genetic and acquired diseases can also become a stumbling block for health, long and happy coexistence with a pet. In general, the breed does not belong to painful, but hereditary, genetic diseases characteristic of the border collie:
Most common in the breed is idiopathic epilepsy. The attacks are accompanied by convulsions of the whole body, salivation, voluntary emptying of the intestines and bladder. This disease can develop both due to genetic inheritance and after trauma to the brain (physical injury or after past illnesses, for example, severe infectious, intoxication). The disease is medically controlled and, if properly treated, will not significantly shorten the dog’s life.
Another hereditary ailment is dysplasia. The most unpleasant thing is that it can be determined only at the age of 5 months. Dysplasia of the hip joint is expressed in lameness, it is more difficult for the puppy to move and control the hind limbs every day, if untreated, it leads to arthritis, which causes severe pain to the dog. You can get rid of dysplasia through surgery.
Eye diseases, abnormal development of the retina. The incorrect development of the organs of vision begins even in the prenatal period, but they can be noticed only when the dog begins to suffer a significant loss of vision. In addition to genetic abnormalities, cataracts and glaucoma can be added. As a result, it is very difficult to treat such a “bouquet”, but it is real.
A very rare but rather complex disease of the border collie is Batten’s disease. It is characterized by outbursts of aggression, seizures of epilepsy, the dog has poor muscle control, accelerated bone growth, which over time leads to the development of dissecting types of osteochondrosis. The older the dog is, the more difficult it is to identify a given genetic disorder. The main point of treatment is a special diet because the main feature of the disease is the wrong balance of substances.
A disease detected in time and proper care will help the pet to please you with its cheerfulness for a long time.
