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When ethical breeders talk about “health-tested” Border Collies, what exactly are they testing for — and why does it matter? This guide explains the specific tests responsible Border Collie breeders should run on their breeding dogs, what each one screens for, and why these tests are central to the difference between a well-bred puppy and a backyard pup.
Why Health Testing Matters in Border Collies
Border Collies, like all pure breeds, carry a known set of genetic conditions. Many of these are serious — affecting vision, neurological function, muscular development, or skeletal structure. Most can be screened for in adult dogs before they’re bred, allowing breeders to avoid pairings that would produce affected puppies.
Without testing, a breeder is rolling the dice with every litter. With testing, the risk of producing a puppy with a known hereditary condition drops dramatically.
This isn’t about producing “perfect” dogs — no dog is perfect. It’s about not knowingly producing dogs predisposed to lifelong disease when that outcome was avoidable.
The Core Tests Every Border Collie Breeder Should Run
1. Hip Scoring
Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that causes pain, lameness, and arthritis. It’s heritable, common in medium-large breeds, and Border Collies are at moderate risk.
What the test involves: X-ray of the hips under sedation, evaluated by a specialist panel. In Australia, AVA/ANKC scores rate each hip on a 0–53 scale (lower is better; 0:0 is ideal). Breeding dogs should be scored at 12+ months of age before being bred.
What good scores look like: Total combined scores under 8–10 are generally considered acceptable for breeding. Breeders should be able to show you the scoring certificate.
2. Elbow Scoring
Elbow dysplasia is similar to hip dysplasia but affects the elbow joint. It’s less common than hip issues in Border Collies but still worth screening.
What the test involves: X-ray of both elbows, evaluated alongside hips. Scored 0–3 per elbow (lower better).
What good scores look like: 0:0 (both elbows normal) is ideal; some breeders accept 0:1 or 1:0 with caution.
3. Eye Certification
Border Collies are at risk of several eye conditions including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA). Eye certification by a registered veterinary ophthalmologist screens for these.
What the test involves: A specialist eye exam, typically annually or every 1–2 years for breeding dogs.
What good results look like: “Unaffected” or “clear” status, recorded on a certificate. Some breeders test annually; others rely on DNA testing for CEA alongside one comprehensive exam.
4. DNA Panel: CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly)
CEA is a developmental eye condition that ranges from mild (no functional impact) to severe (causing blindness). It’s a recessive condition — dogs need two copies of the gene to be affected, but carriers can pass it on.
What the test involves: Cheek swab or blood DNA test.
What good results look like: “Clear” or “carrier” (carriers can be bred only to clear partners). Two carriers should never be bred together; two affected dogs even less so.
5. DNA Panel: TNS (Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome)
TNS is a serious immune system disorder where neutrophils (white blood cells) are produced normally but trapped in bone marrow, leaving puppies vulnerable to infection. Affected puppies usually die or are euthanised before adulthood.
What the test involves: DNA test (cheek swab or blood).
What good results look like: “Clear” or “carrier”. Two carriers must never be bred together.
6. DNA Panel: CL (Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)
CL is a fatal neurological disorder that appears in young adult dogs, causing progressive loss of coordination and behavioural changes. Affected dogs typically don’t live past 2–3 years.
What the test involves: DNA test.
What good results look like: “Clear” or “carrier”. Two carriers must never be bred together.
7. DNA Panel: IGS (Imerslund-Gräsbeck Syndrome)
IGS is a vitamin B12 absorption disorder that, without treatment, causes failure to thrive and serious health complications in young dogs.
What the test involves: DNA test.
What good results look like: “Clear” or “carrier”. Two carriers must never be bred together.
How to Verify a Breeder’s Health Testing Claims
“Health tested” is a claim that’s easy to make and hard to back up — unless the breeder can provide documentation. Here’s what to ask for:
- Hip and elbow scoring certificates from the AVA/ANKC system, dated, with the dog’s name and microchip number
- Eye certification reports from a registered veterinary ophthalmologist, also dated
- DNA test results from a recognised laboratory (Orivet, Genomia, Laboklin, Embark, etc.) with the dog’s microchip number on the certificate
Reputable testing labs include the dog’s microchip number on results — this prevents fraud and lets you cross-reference. If a breeder hands you results that don’t include the dog’s microchip, that’s a problem.
What “Carrier” Means and Why It’s Not a Problem
For most DNA-tested recessive conditions, dogs fall into three categories: clear, carrier, or affected. A carrier has one copy of the disease gene but does not show symptoms. Bred to a clear partner, a carrier will never produce affected puppies — but may produce more carriers, who can then be tested and managed.
Carriers are not a problem. They become a problem only when two carriers are bred together, which is something a responsible breeder will never do.
Beyond the Basics: Optional Additional Tests
Some breeders also test for:
- MDR1 (multi-drug resistance) — affects how the dog metabolises certain drugs; important for safe veterinary care
- SN (Sensory Neuropathy) — rare neurological condition
- EAOD (Early Adult Onset Deafness) — progressive hearing loss
- DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) — late-onset progressive spinal cord disease
These aren’t required for breeding to be considered ethical, but they reflect breeders who go beyond the minimum standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does health testing cost a breeder?
Comprehensive health testing of a breeding dog typically costs $800–$1,500 in Australia. This is one of the main reasons why ethically bred puppies cost more than backyard-bred ones — the breeder is recouping a real investment in producing healthy dogs.
Can I ask to see health test results before buying a puppy?
Yes. Any reputable breeder will share these without hesitation. If a breeder refuses or gets vague, walk away.
What if both parents are “carriers” for the same condition?
Two carriers of the same recessive condition should never be bred — 25% of puppies would be affected. This is a basic breeding rule and a sign the breeder doesn’t understand genetics if they’re doing it.
Are pet-quality puppies tested too?
The PARENTS are tested, which is what matters for puppy health. Individual puppies usually aren’t tested unless there’s a specific reason to suspect a condition. Their genetic status is inferred from their parents’ results.
The Bottom Line
Health testing is the floor, not the ceiling, of ethical breeding. A breeder who tests is taking the breed’s long-term welfare seriously. A breeder who doesn’t is gambling — and the loser of that gamble is your future puppy.
At Prime Collies Australia, every breeding dog is health-tested before being bred and we share results with our buyers. Read more about our breeding programme, browse our available puppies, or contact us with any questions about health testing for the specific litter you’re considering.
