About EAOD in Border Collies

EAOD (or EOD, EOAD) otherwise known as Early Adult Onset Deafness or often called Early Onset Deafness, is a disease that has increased in awareness over the past few years, largely thanks to the use of BAER testing (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). Studies have shown that EAOD seems to show up between the ages of 2 to 8 years old, give or take, often starting as unilateral and in most cases, has been known to appear when the dog is in its prime, about 4-6 years of age.

There's now an available DNA marker linkage test through Optimal Selection (North America, excluding Quebec) and MyDogDNA (world wide - excluding North America), to help find the genome that is causing EAOD in the breed. The available results are Clear, Carrier and At Risk. Everyone is encouraged to test their Border Collies whether they have been tested for the breed panel before and/or suspected EAOD in the line or not.

EAOD is bilateral deafness that can begin as unilateral deafness at which each ears can progress at different rates of hearing impairment. EAOD is not related nor the same as congenital deafness (i.e. born deaf).

It is recommended that all Border Collie owners and breeders BAER test yearly if dogs are found as "At Risk" with no current signs of EAOD. Breeders should BAER test prior to pups being sent to their new homes to rule out congenital deafness over EAOD.

To order a test for your dog, please visit the LINKS at the top of the page for direct website links to purchase the DNA test kit.