Health and the Bearded Collie
Thankfully Beardies are a relatively healthy breed, living to an average of 13 - 14 years of age and some considerably longer. At present, there is no evidence in the UK to suggest that Beardies are particularly prone to specific health problems but there are inevitably some health problems that occur within the breed.
Good breeders will always do their utmost to ensure that they breed from healthy stock thus giving puppies the best start in life, so do ensure that you always buy a puppy from a reputable breeder who should be able to answer any concerns you may have.
The following health information is for guidance:
Hip Dysplasia
Responsible breeders ensure that both parents of prospective puppies have been hip-scored before breeding from them. A hip score is a measure of evidence of hip dysplasia (abnormal development) and dogs with hip dysplasia can go on to develop arthritis and other problems with their hind legs at a young age. Click on the Hip Dysplasia link to learn more about this condition.
Eye Testing
Unlike some of the other Collie breeds, Bearded Collies in the UK do not appear to be affected by inherited eye disease such as Collie Eye Anomaly or Progressive Retinal Atrophy. However, inherited eye disease has been found in Beardies in other countries and so many breeders choose to eye-test their dogs as a precautionary measure.
Eye tests should be repeated every few years to ensure that no inherited eye conditions have developed as the dog ages. Read reports from 2006 and 2011 eye examinations carried out on Bearded Collies at BCC Championship Shows by clicking on the Eye Testing link.
Auto-immune Diseases
Auto-immune diseases such as Addisons disease, haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopaenia can occur in Bearded Collies as in many other breeds. Such conditions can be serious and life-threatening and usually present in young to middle-aged dogs. It is difficult to say whether Beardies have a higher than average incidence of such auto-immune conditions as statistics are scanty. These diseases are complex and it is thought that several genes, together with environmental influences, may determine whether or not a dog is affected by an auto-immune condition. As yet there are no genetic tests available to determine susceptibility to these conditions and it is unlikely that a simple genetic test will ever be able to tell us unequivocally whether or not a dog will be affected. That said, breeders are trying to learn more about these diseases and are supporting research into identifying the genes concerned. Dogs affected by auto-immune disease should not be bred from.
If you are concerned about auto-immune disease or have a Beardie that has been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease the following contact may be able to help:
Jo Tucker: Tel 020 8368 9148 E-mail
Jo set up CIMDA (Canine Immune Mediated Disease Awareness) for all those whose dogs (of any breed) have been diagnosed with an auto-immune condition. CIMDA offers help, advice and support for those owners. Jo is very knowledgeable, is always willing to help and her expertise and guidance have helped to ensure a speedy diagnosis and correct treatment.
General
Elizabeth Kershaw is the Breed Health Co-ordinator for Bearded Collies and is interested in documenting health concerns within the breed. Click here to contact her by e-mail.
You can also go to the Kennel Club website and use the Dog Health Test Search facility. This tool will allow you to search for any health results for any dog which is registered on the Kennel Club's Breed Register either by its registered name or registration number (or stud book number).
It will display any health screening results received and recorded by the Kennel Club from a British Veterinary Association/Kennel Club (BVA/KC) health scheme or an official Kennel Club DNA testing scheme (currently only Hip Scores are recorded for Bearded Collies).
The web link is: www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/test/Default.aspx