Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- HighHeartComplex
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a rare cardiovascular condition in dogs where fatty plaques build up inside the arteries, narrowing the blood vessels and restricting blood flow. This typically develops as a secondary complication of underlying metabolic diseases like hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus, which disrupt how the body processes fats. Over time, the restricted blood flow can damage vital organs that rely on these blood vessels.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Atresia ani
Atresia ani is a congenital birth defect of the lower digestive tract where the anal opening is either completely closed or entirely missing. Because the normal exit path for stool is blocked, waste cannot leave the body, leading to a dangerous buildup in the intestines. This condition is present at birth and requires prompt medical attention to restore normal digestive function.
View details - HighHeartComplex
Atrial fibrillation(AF)
Atrial fibrillation is a serious heart rhythm disorder where the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, beat rapidly and chaotically instead of in a coordinated pattern. This irregular beating significantly reduces the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. It is typically triggered by underlying structural heart diseases, which veterinarians evaluate using an ultrasound of the heart, known as an echocardiogram.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, FAS-related(ALPS)
This is an inherited disorder of the immune system where the body fails to properly regulate and remove excess white blood cells. Because these cells do not break down as they normally should, they accumulate and overload the lymphatic system, which includes the lymph nodes and spleen. This buildup triggers severe autoimmune reactions, causing the dog's immune system to mistakenly attack its own healthy tissues.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Autosomal fragile site chromosomal structural anomaly
This is a structural feature of a dog's chromosomes, which are the microscopic packages carrying genetic information inside cells. In a laboratory setting, specific areas on these non-sex chromosomes can show a tendency to break or appear fragile when exposed to certain chemicals. It is a cellular characteristic observed under a microscope rather than a disease affecting a physical organ system.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
B-cell lymphoma susceptibility
This condition is a genetic predisposition to B-cell lymphoma, which is a severe cancer affecting the lymphatic system. In this disease, a specific type of white blood cell called B-lymphocytes, which normally help fight infections, begins to multiply uncontrollably. This abnormal growth disrupts the immune system and can spread to various organs throughout the body.
View details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Bald thigh syndrome(BTS)
Bald thigh syndrome is a cosmetic skin condition characterized by hair loss, or alopecia, primarily affecting the back of a dog's thighs. It is associated with complex genetic or hormonal factors that influence the hair follicles, though the underlying skin structure remains completely healthy. It is not an inflammatory or infectious disease and does not cause physical harm to the dog.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Bardet-Biedl syndrome 2(BBS2)
Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 2 is an inherited systemic disorder caused by a genetic defect that impairs the function of cilia, which are tiny, antenna-like structures on the surface of cells. Because these structures are crucial for cellular communication, their malfunction damages multiple organ systems at the same time. This particularly impacts the eyes and the kidneys.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Bardet-Biedl syndrome 4(BBS4)
Bardet-Biedl syndrome type 4 is an inherited systemic disorder caused by a genetic defect in the cell's microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia. Because these structures are essential for normal cell communication, their dysfunction leads to widespread issues across multiple organ systems, particularly the eyes and kidneys. This type of disease is known as a ciliopathy, which simply means a disorder affecting these cellular appendages.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Becker muscular dystrophy(BMD)
Becker muscular dystrophy is an inherited muscle disorder caused by a deficiency in dystrophin, a crucial structural protein that protects muscle fibers from damage during contraction. Without enough functional dystrophin, the dog's skeletal muscles progressively weaken and break down over time. This genetic condition is X-linked, meaning it primarily affects male dogs.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia(BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. It is driven by the normal aging process and the continuous influence of the male hormone testosterone in intact, uncastrated dogs. As the gland swells, it can press against the surrounding tissues, particularly the urethra and rectum.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Bernard-Soulier syndrome, type C(BSS)
Bernard-Soulier syndrome, type C is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the cardiovascular and hematologic systems. It is caused by a genetic defect in blood platelets, which are the specialized cells responsible for forming clots to stop bleeding. Because these platelets cannot stick together properly, the body's natural wound healing and clotting processes are severely impaired.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHeartComplex
Beta blocker response in heart failure
This is a genetic trait that affects how a dog's cardiovascular system responds to beta-blockers, which are medications commonly used to manage heart failure. In dogs with this genetic variation, the heart muscle may not respond as effectively to these drugs, reducing their ability to control heart rate and blood pressure. It is a pharmacogenomic trait, meaning a genetic factor that specifically influences drug effectiveness rather than causing a disease on its own.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Beta-mannosidosis(BM)
Beta-mannosidosis is a severe, inherited metabolic disorder where a deficiency in the enzyme beta-mannosidase prevents the body from breaking down complex sugar molecules. These sugars build up inside cells, particularly damaging the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. This cellular accumulation leads to progressive and irreversible neurological damage.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHeartAutosomal recessive
Bleeding disorder, P2RY12-related(P2RY12)
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting the circulatory system, specifically the blood platelets (thrombocytes). A genetic defect in the P2RY12 receptor prevents these platelets from clumping together properly to form clots. As a result, the dog's body cannot efficiently stop bleeding after an injury or blood vessel damage.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Blood group system/dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 1(DEA 1)
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen 1 (DEA 1) is a major blood group system in dogs, determining whether a dog has specific proteins on the surface of their red blood cells. This inherited trait is passed down in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning a dog only needs one copy of the gene to be DEA 1-positive. Knowing a dog's blood group is essential for matching blood donors and recipients to prevent the immune system from attacking transfused blood.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Blood group system/dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 5(DEA 5)
DEA 5 (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen 5) is a naturally occurring blood group system in dogs, defined by a specific protein marker on the surface of red blood cells. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning a dog only needs to inherit the gene from one parent to express this blood type. This is a normal genetic variation rather than a disease, and it does not harm the dog's circulatory system.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Blood group system/dog erythrocyte antigen (DEA) 6(DEA 6)
DEA 6 is a naturally occurring blood group system in dogs, determined by whether a specific marker called an antigen is present on the surface of the red blood cells. This is a normal genetic variation rather than a disease, affecting the cardiovascular and immune systems during medical procedures. Knowing a dog's blood type is important to prevent the immune system from attacking donor blood during a transfusion.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Blood group systems, generic(DEA)
Blood group systems represent the natural protein and sugar structures found on the surface of a dog's red blood cells, most notably the Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) system. This is a normal genetic trait of the circulatory and immune systems rather than a disease. Knowing these markers is essential because the immune system will recognize foreign blood types as invaders.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Body weight
This is a genetic evaluation of a dog's expected adult size and weight rather than a disease. Multiple genes influence the development of the skeletal and muscular systems, determining how large the dog will grow. Understanding these genetic markers helps predict the dog's natural physical frame and mature body mass.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Brachydactyly
Brachydactyly is an inherited skeletal condition characterized by abnormally short toe bones, known as phalanges, in the paws. This developmental malformation is caused by an autosomal-recessive genetic trait affecting the skeletal system. It generally only impacts individual digits and does not impair the overall function of the dog's limbs.
Tested via: RadiographView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Brachygnathia
Brachygnathia is a skeletal condition where the lower jaw is abnormally short compared to the upper jaw, commonly referred to as an overbite. This structural misalignment of the skull bones prevents the upper and lower teeth from meeting properly. Over time, this mismatch can affect how the dog chews and how the teeth wear down.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS)
Budd-Chiari syndrome is a severe condition affecting the circulatory and liver systems, where the veins that drain blood from the liver become narrowed or blocked. This obstruction prevents blood from leaving the liver normally, causing a painful backup of blood and increased pressure in the abdominal blood vessels, known as portal hypertension. Over time, this congestion can lead to progressive liver damage.
Tested via: Cardiac examView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Bullous pemphigoid(BP)
Bullous pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune disease affecting the skin. In this condition, the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the proteins that bond the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis, to the deeper layer underneath, known as the dermis. This microscopic separation causes the skin layers to split apart and form fluid-filled blisters.
View details - ModerateSkin & coatUnknown
Calcinosis circumscripta
Calcinosis circumscripta is a skin condition where firm, localized calcium deposits build up in the tissues under the skin, most commonly over pressure points or joints. This abnormal accumulation is typically triggered by localized tissue damage, repetitive irritation, or inflammation. It primarily affects the subcutaneous tissue, which is the deepest layer of the skin.
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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