Woof! It's me Luna again! 🐾Todays topic is the "lifespan" of a Border Collie. It's one of the most frequently asked questions by people that would like to buy or adopt a Border Collie. In this blog I will answer this question and give my top tips for a longer and healthier life.
The average lifespan of a Border Collie:
It's hard to predict the future but commonly the lifespan of a BC* is around 12-15 years. My mum's first BC reached the age of 15 but she also has had a friend that their BC even lived until 17 years. Ofcourse there are many factors that play a role such as genetics, environment, nutrition, etc.. The most important is to make sure that your BC lives not only long but also a comfortable and qualitative live.
Luna's top tips for a happy and healthy life:
1. It all starts with the purchase/adoption.
Purchase from a responsible breeder that tests his/her dogs on genetic diseases (DNA tests, scans for hip/elbow dysplasia,..) and makes sure to avoid as much as possible inbreeding. Ideally you want a dog to have less than 10% COI (Coefficient of inbreeding). A breeder should be able to tell you the COI if they can't its a big red flag or in other words a NO go!
In case of adoption check if the dog has a pedigree, if so check for possible inherited diseases in the parents/family lines. Talk to the shelter and try to harvest as much information as possible. Sometimes dogs in shelters come with a specific health problem but this is absolutely not always the case.
Buying or adopting is always a risk but in case of adoption if you are aware the dog has existing problems think twice before making the commitment. In any case a dog is for life!
2. Limit the amount of stress and toxins in your dog's daily life.
Just like humans, dogs also suffer if they have to much stress. A stress free dog is a happy dog!
In regard with the toxins we should try to avoid things like: air fresheners, laundry detergent, bleach based floor cleaning products,dog shampoos, food coloring, etc.. A Barf diet or high quality kibble in combination with fresh vegies and fruits without any nasty additives is the real nutrition your dog needs. In regard with dog shampoo pick up brands that work with natural ingredients (I love to use soap bars).
And last but not least flea and worming products. Sadly I see many vets overdose dog's without any indication of worm infections. Regarding flea's there are many natural spray's. It is generally know BC's are very sensitive to several deworming and anti flea products ingredients. You can find more about this in my blog post about MDR1-gen.
3. Stay fit, never become obese!
Some call the Border Collie "the athlete" in sheepherding. Can you imagine an athlete trying to run fast with excessive weight? Every extra pound puts so much strain on a BC's heart, joints and also increases the chance for diabetes.
4. Don't over-train the dog
Border collies are know for their non-stop working drive. I am also one of these dog's! My mum has to tell me very often to take some rest. Just because a BC is capable of working/playing/running all day doesn't mean it's not gonna effect them at the long run. Too much exercise or exercising without warming up leads often to injury's or arthritis. One of the most common mistakes is non-stop tennis ball chasing. It's essential to keep variety between physical and mental exercise and a moderate amount of the time like for example 2 times per day 1 hour instead of 2 hours in a row.
5. Keep your teefies sparkling white and go reguraly for vet checks.
The better we take care of our BC's teeth the longer they stay healthy. Many elderly dog's suffer from dental issues because of lack of cleaning during their younger years. Also the vet can check the teeth during yearly check ups. Don't wait until it's too late!
That where my top tips for today, do you think I miss some impawtant aspect? Don't hestitate to send me a DM on Instagram or e-mail
Paw from me🐾
*BC = Border Collie
