Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Chronic monocytic leukemia(CMoL)
Chronic monocytic leukemia is a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow where the body produces an uncontrolled excess of monocytes, which are a specific type of white blood cell. Over time, these abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells, which can impair normal oxygen delivery and immune function.
View details - SevereSpineUnknown
Chronic myeloid leukemia(CML)
Chronic myelogenous leukemia is a rare cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It occurs when an acquired genetic mutation causes the bone marrow to produce too many abnormal white blood cells, which are the cells responsible for fighting infections. These abnormal cells crowd out healthy blood cells, preventing the blood from carrying oxygen and clotting properly.
View details - SevereSpineUnknown
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia(CMML)
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a severe, rare blood cancer originating in the bone marrow, where the body produces an uncontrolled excess of abnormal white blood cells. This overproduction crowds out healthy blood cells, impairing normal blood functions like oxygen transport and immune defense. A definitive diagnosis requires a complete blood count and a bone marrow biopsy, which is the gold standard method for identifying this condition.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Chylothorax
Chylothorax occurs when lymphatic fluid, which is a milky fluid containing fats and immune cells, leaks and accumulates in the chest cavity. This buildup of fluid puts pressure on the lungs, preventing them from expanding fully and making it difficult for the dog to breathe. The condition directly affects both the respiratory and lymphatic systems.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Classic-like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (clEDS), TNXB-related(clEDS)
Classic-like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (clEDS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder affecting the skin and joints. It is caused by a deficiency in Tenascin-X, a protein essential for organizing collagen, which is the body's main structural support network. Without this protein, the skin and supporting tissues lose their strength and elasticity.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Cleft lip with or without cleft palate, ADAMTS20-related(CLP)
This is a congenital developmental defect of the skull and mouth, specifically associated with a genetic mutation in the ADAMTS20 gene in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. During embryonic development, the tissues forming the upper lip and the roof of the mouth, known as the palate, fail to fuse completely, resulting in a physical gap. Affected puppies may also exhibit syndactyly, which is the abnormal fusion of the toes.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Cleft palate 1, DLX6-related(CP1)
This is a congenital birth defect affecting the skeletal and digestive systems where the roof of the mouth, known as the palate, fails to fuse properly during embryonic development. This failure leaves an abnormal opening, formally called palatoschisis, that connects the oral cavity directly to the nasal passages. Because of this opening, food and liquids can easily pass from the mouth into the respiratory tract.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Coat colour, agouti(ASIP)
The Agouti gene, or A-locus, controls how dark and light pigments are distributed within individual hairs and across a dog's coat. This genetic mechanism interacts in a complex hierarchy with other color genes, specifically the K and E loci, to determine patterns like sable, wild agouti, or black and tan. It is a normal genetic variation affecting the integumentary system, which includes the skin and hair, rather than a disease.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Coat colour, brown, TYRP1-related(B-Locus)
This genetic variant affects the TYRP1 gene, which controls the production of the dark pigment eumelanin in the skin and hair. Instead of producing black pigment, the dog's body produces a brown pigment, commonly known as chocolate or liver. This is a natural genetic variation of the integumentary (skin and coat) system rather than a disease.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Coat colour, dark red
This genetic variant influences the integumentary system, which includes the skin and hair, by regulating the intensity of pheomelanin, the pigment responsible for red coloration. It causes the pigment to develop into a deep, dark red shade instead of a lighter yellow or gold. This is a completely natural, aesthetic variation that has no impact on the dog's physical health.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Coat colour, dominant black(KB)
This is a non-pathological genetic trait rather than a disease, located at the K locus (specifically the CBD103 gene) which influences the dog's coat. It works by regulating the distribution of eumelanin, which is the dark pigment responsible for black or brown coloration in the hair follicles. Because it is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, a dog only needs one copy of this gene variant to express a dark coat.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Coat colour, generic
This refers to the genetic mechanisms that determine a dog's coat color and pattern. It is a normal, non-disease trait involving the pigment system in the skin and hair follicles. Multiple genes interact in a complex way to produce the wide variety of coat appearances seen across different breeds.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Coat colour, grizzle(Eg)
Grizzle, also known as domino, is a harmless coat color pattern affecting the hair and skin pigment system, most commonly seen in sighthounds. It is inherited through a complex genetic process called multi-locus epistasis, meaning it requires a specific interaction between multiple genes—specifically MC1R, ASIP, and DEFB103—to express the pattern. This interaction regulates how dark and light pigments are distributed throughout the dog's coat.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Coat colour, HPS3-related(HPS3)
This genetic variant affects the HPS3 gene, which is involved in the pathway that produces pigment, or melanin, in a dog's coat. While mutations in this gene can cause systemic health issues in other species, in dogs it only alters the chemical structure of the pigment. This results in a distinct dark brown coat color, often referred to as 'cocoa', without affecting any other organ systems.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Coat colour, melanistic mask(Em)
This is a benign genetic trait rather than a medical condition, affecting the pigmentation of the dog's coat and skin. It is caused by a specific variant on the E-locus (the MC1R gene) which controls the distribution of dark pigment. This autosomal-dominant trait simply causes a localized concentration of dark melanin on the face.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Coat colour, phaeomelanin dilution, MFSD12-related
This genetic variant affects the integumentary system, specifically the hair follicles, by altering how red pigment, known as phaeomelanin, is produced. A variation in the MFSD12 gene dilutes these red or yellow pigments into lighter shades like cream, sand, or white. This is a purely cosmetic coat color variation and does not impact the dog's physical health.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Coat colour, roan
Roan is a harmless genetic coat pattern inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner, affecting the integumentary system which comprises the skin and hair. It occurs when white and colored hairs are finely mixed across the dog's body, creating a characteristic mottled or speckled appearance. This is a purely cosmetic trait with no underlying medical relevance or negative health effects.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Coat colour, saddle tan vs black-and-tan
This is a genetically determined variation in a dog's coat color, specifically involving the distribution of black and tan pigment in the hair. It is influenced by the ASIP (Agouti Signaling Protein) gene promoter, which determines whether a dog develops a classic black-and-tan pattern or a saddle tan pattern where the black recedes to the back. This is a purely cosmetic trait and does not affect the dog's physical health or any organ systems.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Coat colour, white spotting, KIT-related(KIT)
This is a genetic variation in the KIT gene that affects the development of pigment-producing cells in the skin and coat. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning only one copy of the gene is needed to cause white spotting patterns, such as the Panda pattern. Dogs carrying two copies of this variant do not survive past the embryonic stage, but living dogs with one copy are completely healthy.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Coat, double vs single
This genetic trait determines whether a dog develops a double coat, which includes a dense undercoat beneath protective guard hairs, or a single coat that lacks an undercoat. It is a natural variation of the integumentary (skin and hair) system rather than a disease or medical disorder. This phenotype is associated with a specific genetic region on canine chromosome 28.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Cognitive enhancer metabolism
This genetic condition involves a mutation in the CYP1A2 gene, which affects how the liver processes certain medications, specifically cognitive enhancers like selegiline. Because of this liver enzyme deficiency, affected dogs metabolize these specific drugs much slower than normal. This slower breakdown can lead to a buildup of the medication in the bloodstream, altering its effects.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal dominant
Colorectal hamartomatous polyposis and ganglioneuromatosis
This inherited condition affects the dog's lower digestive tract, specifically the colon and rectum. It causes the abnormal growth of two types of tissue: hamartomas, which are benign, disorganized mixtures of normal tissues, and ganglioneuromas, which are overgrowths of nerve tissue. Together, these growths form polyps that can obstruct the bowel and disrupt normal digestion.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Compulsive disorder(CCD)
Canine Compulsive Disorder is a psychological condition stemming from a chemical imbalance in the brain's neurotransmitters, which are the chemical messengers of the nervous system. This imbalance causes the brain to get stuck in repetitive loops, leading to behaviors that serve no functional purpose. Because there are no commercial genetic tests available, veterinarians must diagnose this complex condition based entirely on clinical signs.
View details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone-rod dystrophy 2 (crd2)(crd2)
Cone-rod dystrophy 2 is an inherited eye disease that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In this condition, the specialized cells called photoreceptors—specifically the cones for daylight vision and the rods for low-light vision—degenerate prematurely. This progressive breakdown leads to an irreversible loss of sight.
Tested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Congenital dyshormonogenic hypothyroidism with goiter, SLC5A5-related(CHG)
This is an inherited disorder of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for regulating the body's metabolism. A genetic defect in the SLC5A5 gene prevents the thyroid from absorbing iodine, an essential building block for thyroid hormones. Without these hormones, the body's metabolic processes slow down, and the thyroid gland enlarges in an attempt to compensate, forming a visible swelling called a goiter.
Tested 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.
Why HonestDog?
What makes HonestDog different from other platforms
Full transparency
We show what's on file: who the breeders are, how they work and which health records they've uploaded. That way you can form your own picture.
Verified breeders, open records
Every breeder on HonestDog has their identity and documents checked before their profile goes live. Health records they upload are shown on the profile, so you can see exactly what has been tested.
Clear vetting criteria
Before a breeder profile goes live, we check identity, club membership or breeding permit, and photos of the breeding environment. HonestDog puts you in touch with the breeder and doesn't sell dogs itself — we can't guarantee any individual dog.
Less hassle, more time
We've already checked the breeders' documents and gathered the details, so you can skip the endless research and focus on finding the right puppy for your family.
Our Mission
We connect dog lovers with responsible breeders and shelters to ensure every dog finds the perfect home.
Founded by dog enthusiasts, our platform focuses on ethical dog breeding and adoption.
About HonestDog
We connect you with vetted breeders and shelters so you can find your new companion with confidence.
Vetted Partners
Only verified breeders and shelters — for a safe start.
Highest Standards
Every animal's health and wellbeing is our top priority.
Guides & Resources
Guides, checklists, and breed profiles — so you can make a well-informed decision.