What Is the Life Span of a Full Bred Collie?

Collies are large dogs with tan and white coats and very long hair. The television show "Lassie" helped to increase the popularity of the collie breed. When well trained and socialized, these dogs make excellent pets. Without training, they are suspicious of strangers and may become fear biters. They have a longer lifespan than many other large dogs, but their diet, environment, exercise level and other factors can all affect how long they live.

  1. General Life Span

    • Most dogs live 8 to 16 years, and small dogs typically live longer than large dogs. The reason for this is simple: the size and weight of a large dog is normally more taxing for their organs, resulting in a shorter life span. Though dogs similar in size to collies may only live 10-12 years, collies have a life span of 12-16 years. This number is merely an average, and some collies may live longer or shorter periods than this.

    Grey Collie Syndrome

    • Canine cyclic neutropenia, commonly called grey collie syndrome, is one of the most serious illnesses from which collies suffer. This genetic blood disorder results in a drastically shortened life span. Puppies born with it typically only live a few days. With quality veterinary care, puppies may live longer but will be highly susceptible to infections for their entire life, resulting in a life span of only two or three years.

    Other Genetic Illnesses

    • Most dog breeds are susceptible to certain illnesses that can shorten their life span, and collies are no exception. Like many other large dogs, collies tend to suffer from hip dysplasia and other orthopedic problems. Though hip dysplasia itself is not fatal, it can cause serious injuries and some owners choose to euthanize dogs suffering from advanced hip dysplasia. Collies are also susceptible to epilepsy, allergies and bloat, all of which can result in a shorter life.

    Improving Collie Health

    • Despite being susceptible to some genetic illnesses, collies are generally resilient dogs. Owners can make their dogs even more resilient. Frequent exercise can greatly increase collies' longevity because it prevents dogs' bones, muscles and organs from the strain of excessive weight. Exercise can also prevent anxiety and may lessen collies' likelihood of getting cancer in old age. A high quality diet is also vital. Feed collies a high-protein diet with meat listed as the first ingredient. Because collies are susceptible to allergies, have your vet test your collie for food allergies to prevent the health damage that allergic reactions cause.

    Signs of Illness

    • When owners recognize the signs of illness in their collies, collies are more likely to get prompt medical care. This can dramatically increase a dog's life span. Contact your vet if your collie's appearance or behavior suddenly changes for no apparent reason. Signs of trouble include fever, lethargy, hair loss, change in food or water intake, accidents in the house, vomiting, diarrhea, sudden aggression and seizures.