Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)(SIBO)
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a gastrointestinal condition where abnormally high numbers of bacteria colonize the small intestine. This overgrowth disrupts the normal digestive process and prevents the gut from properly absorbing nutrients from food. It often develops as a secondary complication of other underlying digestive issues.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Clinical examView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spinal muscular atrophy(SMA)
Spinal muscular atrophy is an inherited neurological disorder that affects the motor neurons, which are the specialized nerve cells in the spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Because of an inherited genetic defect, these nerve cells progressively waste away, preventing normal signals from reaching the muscles. This lack of stimulation leads to severe muscle weakness and wasting, known as atrophy, throughout the body.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA test, Clinical examView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
Spongiform Leukoencephalomyelopathy(SLEM)
Spongiform leukoencephalomyelopathy (SLEM), also known as Shaking Puppy Syndrome (SPS), is an inherited disease of the central nervous system. It causes the protective myelin sheath, or white matter, in the brain and spinal cord to break down and develop a sponge-like texture. This degeneration severely disrupts the transmission of nerve signals throughout the dog's body.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Stud frequency (male)
Stud frequency refers to how often a male dog is used for mating. It is not a physical disease of the reproductive system, but rather a breeding management metric. Regulating this frequency is essential to prevent over-representation of a single male's genes, which helps maintain genetic diversity within the breed.
Affects 1 breedView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Subacute necrotizing encephalopathy (Leigh syndrome)(SNE)
This is a severe, inherited metabolic brain disorder where a genetic defect prevents nerve cells from producing enough energy. Without adequate energy, cells in the brain deteriorate and die, leading to progressive tissue damage. This process primarily affects the central nervous system, which controls basic bodily functions.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHipsAutosomal recessive
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency(SSADHD)
This is an inherited metabolic disorder, also known as Saluki encephalopathy or central nervous system status spongiosus, that affects the brain and nervous system. It is caused by a genetic defect that prevents the body from properly breaking down GABA, which is an important chemical messenger in the brain. This failure leads to a toxic buildup of metabolic byproducts that damages brain tissue over time.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHeartComplex
Tetralogy of Fallot(ToF)
Tetralogy of Fallot is a severe congenital heart defect involving four specific structural malformations of the heart and its major blood vessels. These defects allow oxygen-poor blood to mix with oxygen-rich blood instead of being properly pumped to the lungs. As a result, the dog's body suffers from a chronic lack of oxygen.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Cardiac examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome(TNS)
Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome (TNS) is an inherited immune system disorder where the bone marrow produces white blood cells, called neutrophils, but is unable to release them into the bloodstream. Because these neutrophils are essential for fighting off bacteria and viruses, their absence leaves the dog's body highly vulnerable to infections. This genetic defect is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must receive the mutated gene from both parents to develop the condition.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Umbilical hernia
An umbilical hernia is a physical defect in the abdominal wall where the muscles around the belly button fail to close completely. This gap allows abdominal contents, such as fat or a portion of the intestines, to push through and sit just under the skin. It is a structural issue affecting the muscular and digestive systems.
Affects 1 breedTested via: Clinical examView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Upper airway syndrome (UAS), ADAMTS3-related(OLS)
Upper airway syndrome is an inherited respiratory disorder where fluid buildup and tissue swelling (edema) narrow the throat and voice box (larynx). A mutation in the ADAMTS3 gene disrupts fluid drainage in these tissues, restricting normal airflow into the lungs. Because inheritance is complex, this gene variant serves as a major risk factor rather than the sole cause of the disease.
Affects 1 breedView details - ModerateSkin & coatUnknown
Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis
This is a rare skin condition where the dog's hair follicles cannot properly use vitamin A, which is essential for healthy skin development. Instead of a simple dietary deficiency, it is a localized metabolic issue that disrupts how skin cells mature and shed, a process known as keratinization.
Affects 1 breedView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
VLDLR-associated cerebellar hypoplasia(VLDLR-CH)
This is an inherited neurological condition where the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance and coordination, fails to develop fully. It is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts normal brain development during gestation. Because of this underdevelopment, the dog's nervous system cannot properly coordinate voluntary movements.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Von Willebrand disease type II(vWD II)
Von Willebrand Disease Type II is an inherited bleeding disorder affecting the blood and circulatory system. It is caused by a structural defect in the von Willebrand factor, which is a crucial protein that helps blood platelets stick together to form clots. Because this protein does not function correctly, the dog's body cannot properly stop bleeding, a process known as hemostasis, after an injury.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHeartAutosomal recessive
Von Willebrand disease type III(VWD III)
Von Willebrand disease type III is a severe, inherited bleeding disorder affecting the blood and circulatory system. It is caused by a near-total lack of Von Willebrand factor, which is a specific protein that helps blood cells stick together to form clots. Without this protein, the dog's body cannot properly stop bleeding after an injury or surgery.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesX-linked
X-linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy(XLPRA1)
X-linked Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual breakdown of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This degeneration affects the photoreceptor cells, which are the specialized cells responsible for detecting light. Over time, the loss of these cells leads to complete blindness.
Affects 1 breedTested via: DNA testView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Absence of the optic chiasm
This is a rare congenital brain malformation where the optic chiasm—the structure where nerve fibers from each eye cross over to the opposite side of the brain—fails to develop. Without this connection, the visual pathways from the eyes to the brain's visual cortex are disrupted. This condition is notably documented in Belgian Sheepdogs as a form of congenital achiasma.
View details - MildSkin & coatUnknown
Accessory tragus
An accessory tragus is a harmless, congenital (present from birth) malformation of the outer ear, where extra skin or cartilage tissue forms near the opening of the ear canal. This condition is extremely rare in dogs, with the first documented canine case reported in 2020 in an American Pit Bull Terrier. These benign ear tags do not affect the dog's hearing or normal ear function.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Acetabular dysplasia
This is a developmental malformation of the hip joint, specifically affecting the hip socket, known as the acetabulum. The socket is too shallow to properly hold the head of the thigh bone, or femur, causing the joint to be unstable. Over time, this instability leads to painful wear and tear of the joint cartilage, resulting in chronic joint inflammation.
Tested via: RadiographView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Achondroplasia
Achondroplasia is an inherited skeletal disorder where the normal growth of cartilage in the long bones of the limbs is impaired, resulting in shortened legs with a normal-sized trunk. This autosomal-dominant condition is caused by genetic variations known as FGF4 retrogenes. This genetic change specifically alters how the skeletal system develops during growth.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesAutosomal recessive
Achromatopsia-2, CNGA3-related(ACHM)
Achromatopsia is an inherited eye disorder affecting the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It specifically impairs the cone photoreceptors, which are the specialized cells responsible for color vision and seeing in bright light. Because these cells do not function properly, affected dogs are nearly blind in bright daylight but can see normally in low-light conditions.
Tested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder of the endocrine system where an excess of growth hormone causes the abnormal enlargement of bones, soft tissues, and internal organs. In dogs, this overproduction is typically triggered by hormonal fluctuations in unspayed females. Diagnosis is confirmed by measuring serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is a standard indicator of growth hormone excess.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Addison’s disease and multiple autoimmune syndrome, RESF1-related
This is an inherited autoimmune disorder where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy organs, particularly the adrenal glands. This leads to Addison's disease, a condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce essential hormones needed to regulate hydration and stress. In Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, this specific RESF1-associated condition is known as Juvenile Addison's Disease (JADD).
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Adrenal hyperplasia, congenital, CYP11B1-related(CAH)
This condition is an inherited disorder of the adrenal glands, which are hormone-producing organs located near the kidneys. Due to a genetic defect in the CYP11B1 enzyme, the glands cannot produce normal amounts of cortisol, a vital hormone that helps regulate metabolism and stress responses. This deficiency causes the body to overproduce male sex hormones, known as androgens.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Afibrinogenemia or hypofibrinogenemia(FI)
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the cardiovascular system, specifically how the blood seals wounds. It is caused by a deficiency or complete lack of fibrinogen, which is a crucial protein needed for blood to clot. Without enough of this protein, the body cannot form stable clots to stop bleeding.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Aggression
Aggression is a complex behavioral issue rather than a single physical disease, involving the central nervous system and brain chemistry. It is influenced by an interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental factors, which affect how a dog processes stress and threats. This complex inheritance pattern means multiple genes contribute to how the brain regulates fear, impulse control, and social responses.
View 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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