Ensuring that a dog is free from genetically inherited diseases and is free from hip dysplasia is the very least you should do as a breeder but it is still an extremely important part of the breeding process. We'll start with an explanation of what hipscoring is and why it's important.
A hip score is a score out of a hundred and six, given to a dog based on how good their hips are, by the British Veterinary Association. We are always aiming for the lowest hip score possible as a lot of hip dysplasia is caused by environmental factors so we want to give our dogs the best genetic starting block to ensure they have a long and happy life and a long and happy sport career. To achieve this, we breed our dogs to dogs that have low scores, therefore lowering the average. Because there is a lot of wear and tear on a dog's body, many breeders get their dogs hipscored as young as possible so that the hip scores will be better and have a lower score.
Currently, the breed average for Border Collies is 11. Any dog higher than this should be bred to a very low scoring dog and, in my opinion, no dog higher than 15 should be bred from (depending on the age that the hip scores were taken). Below is a table showing how the US rates hips in relation to the UK.
Here are some example of hip scores;
Health Testing
There are a variety of different genetic diseases that must be tested for in Border Collies, as per the KC reccomendations and as per being a responsible breeder. It is important that these are tested for so that no puppies are born with preventable diseases.
CEA - Collie Eye Anomaly is a genetically inherited condition that is simple recessive. This means that it can be carried and that a dog needs two copies of the gene to be affected. CEA is a mutation that affects the chromosome (chromosome 37) that controls the development of the eyes, leaving an important part of the eye underdeveloped (the choroid; a collection of blood vessels that essentially nourish the retina). This can lead to blindness and, in some cases, retinal detachment. Avoiding it is easy, as with many autosomal simple recessive disorders. We simply breed clear to clear, and it will be eliminated from the gene pool. You can also breed clear to carrier and have no puppies affected by CEA but there will, of course, be some puppies that will be carriers.
TNS - Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome is, again, a genetically inherited condition that is simple recessive. This means that it can be carried and that a dog needs two copies of the gene to be affected. TNS is a hereditary disease where the bone marrow within the dog correctly produces neutrophils (white cells) but is unable to release them into the blood stream where they do their job - fight infections. Dogs that are affected by TNS will have a poor immune system and, eventually, will die from infections that they are unable to fight due to their low white blood cell count. The oldest known survivor of TNS was 2 years and 8 months. This disease is debilitating and something we want to keep from our lines. Avoiding it is easy, as with many autosomal simple recessive disorders, simply breed a dog who is tested as clear to another dog who is tested as clear.
NCL(CL) - Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis is a genetically inherited condition that is simple recessive. This means it can be carried and that a dog needs two copies of the gene to be affected, one inherited from it's sire and one inherited from it's dam. NCL affected dogs lack one of several enzymes that are essential in the breakdown of certain proteins. These proteins that aren't broken down as they should be, gather on neuronal cells and begin to affect mental and motor functions. The dogs (and humans, as it is a condition also found in humans) grow and develop normally for the first few months before the build up becomes too much and they begin to regress mentally and physically.
MDR1 - Multi-Drug Resistance Gene genetically inherited defect in a gene that is responsible for a protein that protects the brain by transporting harmful chemicals away from it. It is simple recessive and can therefore be carried, a dog needs two copies of this gene to be affected. In some breeds, there is mutation that occurs in the MDR1 gene that causes sensitivity to Ivermectin, Loperamide, and a number of other drugs. The defective protein removes the dog's ability to transport certain drugs away from the brain, leading to a buildup of toxins. As a result of the accumulation of these toxins, the dog can show neurological problems, such as seizures, ataxia, or even death.
IGS - Canine Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome is a genetically inherited condition that causes a dog to be unable to absorb adequate levels of vitamin B12. It is simple recessive and can be carried, this means that a dog needs two copies to be affected. Affected dogs usually exhibit symptoms at 6-12 weeks due to the fact that dogs are born with a certain amount of B12, but once the amount they have is depleted, then they begin to exhibit signs that they have a deficiency. These signs include anaemia, lethargy, failure to thrive and lack of appetite.