Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Adult Onset Neuropathy(AON)
Adult Onset Neuropathy is an inherited neurological disease that affects the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Over time, the protective outer sheath of these nerves breaks down, disrupting the electrical signals sent from the brain to the muscles. This gradual nerve damage eventually leads to muscle weakness and loss of control.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy(AHE)
Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy is an inherited brain disease caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts how the body transports thiamine (vitamin B1). Without proper thiamine transport, the brain cannot process energy correctly, leading to progressive damage to nerve tissues. This is an autosomal-recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Alopecia, generic
Generic alopecia is a broad term for partial or complete hair loss caused by a disruption in the hair follicle's normal growth cycle. This condition affects the skin and coat, stemming from genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, or structural abnormalities in the hair follicles. It is primarily a cosmetic issue where the hair fails to grow back normally.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Anesthesia Sensitivity
This condition is a genetically determined hypersensitivity to certain anesthetic drugs, often linked to the MDR1 gene mutation which impairs the body's ability to limit drug entry into the brain. Because the dog's nervous system and liver cannot process or clear these medications normally, the drugs can quickly build up to toxic levels. This primarily impacts the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system during medical procedures.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) (Boxer cardiomyopathy)(ARVC)
This is an inherited heart disease where the normal muscle tissue of the right ventricle, one of the heart's lower chambers, is gradually replaced by fat and fibrous scar tissue. This structural change disrupts the heart's electrical signals, which normally coordinate regular heartbeats. As a result, the dog's heart can develop dangerous, irregular rhythms.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA test, Cardiac examView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Ataxia, CNS atrophy with cerebellar ataxia (Belgian Malinois)(CaCa)
This is a severe, inherited neurological disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain's coordination center, known as the cerebellum. As these cells degenerate, the dog loses the ability to control and coordinate its voluntary movements. It is an autosomal recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Autosomal recessive spondylocostal dysostosis(SCDO)
Autosomal recessive spondylocostal dysostosis is a severe genetic disorder affecting the skeletal system, specifically the development of the spine and ribs. During embryonic development in the womb, the bones of the spinal column and the ribs fail to form properly. This leads to extensive malformations, resulting in a severely shortened and deformed back and rib cage.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (Lagotto Romagnolo)(BFJE)
This is an inherited brain disorder in Lagotto Romagnolo puppies caused by a temporary dysfunction in the central nervous system during early development. Because it is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, a puppy must inherit two copies of the mutated gene—one from each parent—to be affected. The condition is benign, meaning it is temporary and the brain function typically normalizes as the dog matures.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)(CCD)
This condition is a progressive degeneration of the brain tissue in aging dogs, closely resembling Alzheimer's disease in humans. It involves the gradual breakdown of nerve cells and pathways in the central nervous system, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities. Veterinarians often use the Canine Dementia Scale (CADES) to assess the severity of this mental decline.
Affects 1 breedTested via: BehavioralView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Cerebellar abiotrophy, VMP1-related(CA)
This is an inherited neurological disorder where cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that coordinates movement, prematurely degenerate. Because the brain tissue cannot repair itself, this leads to a progressive loss of motor control. This specific form of the disease is caused by a genetic variant in the VMP1 gene.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Cerebellar Degeneration (Setter)(HA/CA)
This is an inherited neurological disorder where nerve cells in the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement, prematurely break down and die. In Gordon Setters, this degeneration is linked to a specific genetic mutation and is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, ITPR3-related(CMT)
This is an inherited disorder of the peripheral nervous system, which comprises the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. A genetic mutation in the ITPR3 gene disrupts the signals sent from these nerves to the muscles, leading to progressive nerve degeneration and muscle wasting. This specific variant is known to affect the Lancashire Heeler breed.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Coat colour dilution with neurological defects (CDN), MYO5A-related(CDN)
This severe genetic disorder affects both the nervous system and pigment production, serving as the canine equivalent of human Griscelli Syndrome Type 1. It is caused by a mutation in the MYO5A gene, which disrupts how cells transport pigment and support normal nerve function. This dual impact results in a lighter coat color alongside progressive neurological decline.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesComplex
Coloboma
A coloboma is a congenital eye defect where a portion of the eye's structure, such as the iris, retina, or optic nerve, fails to develop completely. This occurs during fetal development when the optic fissure, which is the groove that helps form the eye, does not close fully, leaving a gap. It is a structural condition of the visual system with a complex inheritance pattern.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Eye examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Complement deficiency(C3D)
This is an inherited disorder of the immune system where the dog lacks key proteins belonging to the complement system. The complement system is a group of proteins in the blood that normally work together to help the body recognize and destroy invading bacteria. Without these proteins, the dog's natural defense mechanism is severely compromised.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone-rod dystrophy 3 (crd3)(crd3)
This is an inherited eye disorder caused by a genetic mutation that affects the Glen of Imaal Terrier. It causes the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors, which are the light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eye. Specifically, both the cones (responsible for bright light and color vision) and the rods (responsible for dim light vision) break down, leading to permanent vision loss.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Congenital hypotrichosis
Congenital hypotrichosis is an inherited skin condition where the hair follicles do not develop properly, leading to abnormal hair growth or hair loss. This genetic defect affects the integumentary system (the skin and hair) while leaving the rest of the dog's internal organs and general health completely unaffected.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Congenital myasthenic syndrome, COLQ-related(CMS)
This is an inherited neuromuscular disorder where the communication between nerves and muscles is disrupted. It is caused by a deficiency in an essential enzyme at the junction where nerves meet muscles, preventing normal chemical signaling. Without this signal transmission, the muscles cannot contract properly and tire very quickly.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Copper toxicosis, COMMD1-related(CT)
This is an inherited genetic disorder where a mutation in the COMMD1 gene prevents the liver from properly excreting copper. As a result, copper builds up to toxic levels in the liver cells, causing progressive damage, inflammation (chronic hepatitis), and scarring of the liver tissue.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - MildEyesComplex
Corneal Lipid Dystrophy
Hornhautlipiddystrophie is a benign, inherited eye condition where fatty substances, known as lipids, build up within the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. This accumulation creates cloudy, whitish-gray spots in the eye tissue. Because these deposits are typically small and do not cause inflammation, they rarely interfere with a dog's vision.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Eye examView details - HighKneesComplex
Cranial cruciate ligament rupture(CCLR)
A rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is a tear in one of the main stabilizing ligaments inside the dog's knee joint. Unlike in humans, where this is often an acute sports injury, in dogs it usually results from a gradual, genetically influenced weakening of the ligament over time. This tearing leads to painful instability in the joint and accelerates wear on the surrounding joint cartilage.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Cutaneous mucinosis(SPCM)
Cutaneous mucinosis is a skin disorder where an excessive amount of mucin, a jelly-like substance that normally supports skin structure, builds up in the deeper layers of the skin. This accumulation causes the skin to become unusually thick, heavy, and prone to extreme folding.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Clinical examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cystinuria Type 3 Variant 2 risk factor(Cyst3-2)
This is an inherited metabolic disorder of the kidneys where the organ fails to properly reabsorb the amino acid cystine from the urine. Excess cystine then builds up and forms painful crystals or stones in the bladder and urinary tract. This specific Type 3 variant is complex and influenced by hormones, primarily putting intact male dogs at risk.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Dalmatian bronzing syndrome(DBS)
Dalmatian bronzing syndrome, often called 'Dal crud,' is a complex skin disorder linked to the breed's unique uric acid metabolism. This metabolic quirk leads to inflammation of the hair follicles, which are the tiny pockets in the skin where hair grows. Because it is a complex condition rather than a simple genetic mutation, diagnosis requires a skin biopsy rather than a DNA test.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Degenerative encephalopathy(DE)
Degenerative encephalopathy is a severe, inherited brain disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RB1CC1 gene. This mutation leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve tissue in the brain, which severely disrupts how signals are transmitted throughout the central nervous system.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details
Frequently asked questions
What is the HonestDog dog diseases database?
Our database brings together hereditary and common canine conditions with symptoms, inheritance patterns, testing methods, and the breeds where each matters most.
How do I find the right test for a condition?
Search by disease name, abbreviation or symptom, then filter by test type, body region or severity. Each detail page lists recommended tests and affected breeds.
Why do health tests matter for breeders?
Health tests help catch hereditary conditions early and support responsible breeding. Many breed clubs require or recommend specific tests as part of their screening.
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