Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Cystinuria, type II-A
This is an inherited metabolic kidney disorder where the kidneys fail to reabsorb an amino acid called cystine from the urine. Because the cystine remains in the urine, it clumps together to form painful stones in the bladder and urinary tract. This genetic defect is inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner, meaning a dog only needs to inherit one copy of the mutated gene to be affected.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Cystinuria, type II-B
This is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the kidneys, where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, a protein building block, from the urine. Because the cystine is not properly filtered, it accumulates in the urinary tract and clumps together. This leads to the formation of painful crystalline deposits and stones in the bladder or kidneys.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Dal blood group system(Dal)
The Dal blood group system involves a specific protein, or antigen, located on the surface of a dog's red blood cells. Dogs with an autosomal recessive genetic variation lack this protein, making them Dal-negative. If a Dal-negative dog receives a blood transfusion containing Dal-positive blood, their immune system will recognize the foreign protein and attack the donor red blood cells.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Darier disease
Darier disease is an inherited skin disorder caused by an autosomal-dominant genetic mutation that affects how skin cells bind together and mature. This disruption in cell cohesion and keratinization weakens the outer skin barrier, leading to chronic inflammation. Essentially, the skin cells cannot stick together properly, making the dog's skin fragile and highly susceptible to irritation.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, bilateral, and vestibular dysfunction, MYO7A-related(DINGS2)
This inherited inner ear disorder, also known as DINGS2, is caused by a genetic mutation in the MYO7A gene. The mutation disrupts the sensory hair cells in the inner ear that are responsible for transmitting sound and maintaining balance. Consequently, affected dogs suffer from complete hearing loss in both ears and a poorly functioning vestibular system.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, CDH23-related
This is an inherited form of deafness affecting the inner ear, caused by a genetic mutation in the CDH23 gene. This mutation disrupts the development and function of the tiny sensory hair cells in the ear that normally convert sound waves into electrical signals for the brain. Without these functioning hair cells, the dog cannot perceive sound.
Tested via: Other, DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, EPS8L2-related(EOAD)
This is an inherited form of hearing loss affecting the inner ear, primarily found in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and identified by researchers in 2022. A genetic mutation in the EPS8L2 gene damages the tiny, delicate sensory hair cells in the ear that normally convert sound vibrations into electrical signals. Without these functioning hair cells, the dog's brain cannot receive auditory information.
Tested via: Other, DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, KLF7-related
This is an inherited form of deafness associated with a genetic variant in the KLF7 gene, which affects the development of the inner ear's sensory hair cells responsible for hearing. Because it is a candidate gene variant with incomplete penetrance, not every dog carrying the variant will actually develop hearing loss. It is primarily researched in Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, LOXHD1-related
This is an inherited form of deafness affecting the inner ear, caused by a genetic mutation in the LOXHD1 gene. This gene is responsible for maintaining the structure and function of tiny hair cells in the ear that detect sound vibrations and send signals to the brain. Without properly functioning hair cells, the dog's ability to process sound is gradually lost.
Tested via: Other, DNA testView details - ModerateEarsAutosomal recessive
Deafness, unilateral and vestibular dysfunction, PTPRQ-related
This is an inherited disorder of the inner ear caused by a genetic mutation, commonly known as DINGS1. It affects both the auditory system, which processes sound, and the vestibular system, which is the organ responsible for balance. The mutation prevents the normal development of sensory hair cells in the ear, leading to hearing loss on one side and coordination issues.
Tested via: Other, DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Deficiency of cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation
This is not a disease, but a natural species-wide characteristic in all dogs, who lack the NAT1 and NAT2 genes. Because of this genetic absence, dogs cannot produce the liver enzymes needed for cytosolic arylamine N-acetylation, which is a process normally used to break down certain foreign chemicals. This affects how their metabolic system processes specific substances, particularly certain medications like sulfonamide antibiotics.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Degenerative encephalopathy, RB1CC1-related(DE)
This is an inherited neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RB1CC1 gene, which leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. As these brain cells degenerate, the dog loses the ability to properly coordinate movements and regulate behavior.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Degenerative myopathy of the obturator externus muscle
This is an extremely rare degenerative condition affecting the external obturator muscle, which is a deep muscle in the hip joint responsible for rotating the hind leg. Over time, the muscle tissue degrades or develops scarring, which impairs normal movement. It is a muscular disorder that has only been documented in very rare cases.
View details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal dominant
Dentinogenesis imperfecta(DI)
Dentinogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary dental disorder where the dentin, which is the sensitive inner structure of the teeth, fails to develop properly. This makes the teeth structurally weak and highly prone to wear and breakage. While it can occur on its own, it is often a secondary symptom of Osteogenesis Imperfecta (a genetic bone disorder), which is what current genetic panels actually screen for.
View details - SevereSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Dermatosparaxis Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dEDS), ADAMTS2-related(dEDS)
Dermatosparaxis Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (dEDS) is a severe inherited connective tissue disorder that primarily affects the skin. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the ADAMTS2 gene, which prevents collagen—the main structural protein that holds tissues together—from forming correctly. This defect leaves the skin extremely fragile and lacking its normal structural strength.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Diabetes insipidus(DI)
Diabetes insipidus is a rare disorder affecting the kidneys and the brain's water regulation system. It occurs when the body either does not produce enough of the hormone vasopressin, which controls water retention, or when the kidneys fail to respond to it. This prevents the kidneys from properly concentrating urine, leading to excessive water loss.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Diamond-Blackfan anemia(DBA)
Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a severe disorder of the bone marrow, which is the tissue inside bones where blood cells are produced. In affected dogs, the bone marrow fails to create enough red blood cells, the cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. This failure results in a profound lack of red blood cells, a condition known as severe anemia.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Diaphragmatic hernia(DH)
A diaphragmatic hernia is a physical defect or tear in the diaphragm, which is the muscular sheet separating the chest cavity from the abdomen. When this barrier is compromised, abdominal organs like the stomach or liver can shift forward into the chest space. This displacement puts dangerous pressure on the lungs and heart, severely restricting their ability to function properly.
Tested via: RadiographView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Diffuse cystic renal dysplasia and hepatic fibrosis(RDHN)
This inherited condition, known as RDHN, causes severe maldevelopment of both the kidneys and the liver. It leads to the formation of fluid-filled sacs (cysts) in the kidneys and progressive scarring (fibrosis) in the liver tissue. These structural defects prevent both vital organ systems from functioning.
Tested via: DNA test, UltrasoundView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Digital necrosis
Digital necrosis is the death of tissue in a dog's toes, affecting the circulatory and musculoskeletal systems. It occurs when blood flow to the toes is severely restricted by injury, infection, or vasculitis, which is the inflammation of blood vessels. Without oxygen-rich blood, the tissue in the toes dies and cannot be saved.
View details - SevereHeartAutosomal recessive
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), ABCC9-related(DCM)
This is an inherited heart muscle disease where the chambers of the heart stretch and enlarge, a process known as dilation. Because the heart walls become thin and weak, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body. This genetic condition specifically affects the cardiovascular system due to a mutation in the ABCC9 gene.
Tested via: DNA test, Cardiac examView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), LMNA-related(DCM)
This is an inherited heart disease where the heart muscle becomes weak and the heart chambers stretch and enlarge, a process known as dilation. Because the muscle is weakened, the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to the rest of the body, leading to reduced oxygen delivery. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation affecting the structural support of the heart cells.
Tested via: Cardiac exam, DNA testView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), PLN-related(DCM)
This is an inherited heart disease where a genetic mutation in the phospholamban (PLN) gene causes the heart muscle to become thin, stretched, and weak. As a result, the heart chambers enlarge and lose their ability to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. This progressive weakening eventually leads to heart failure.
Tested via: DNA test, Cardiac examView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Dilated Cardiomyopathy, RBM20-related(DCM)
This is an inherited heart condition caused by a genetic mutation in the RBM20 gene, which leads to the progressive stretching and thinning of the heart muscle. Because the heart walls become thin and weak, the heart cannot pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. This eventually leads to congestive heart failure, where fluid builds up in the lungs or abdomen.
Tested via: DNA test, Cardiac examView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Dilated Cardiomyopathy, risk variant 2 (Dobermann)(DCM)
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a severe genetic disease of the heart muscle where the heart's chambers become stretched, enlarged, and weakened. This stretching prevents the heart from contracting normally, making it difficult to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. It is inherited in an autosomal-dominant pattern, meaning a dog only needs to inherit one copy of the risk variant to be susceptible, though not all dogs with the variant will develop the disease.
Tested via: DNA test, Cardiac examView 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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