Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- 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.
View 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.
View 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.
View 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 testView 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.
View 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.
View 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 - HighHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy(DSPN)
This is an inherited disorder of the nervous system where the peripheral nerves—the communication lines connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body—gradually deteriorate. This damage primarily affects the limbs, disrupting the signals needed for proper muscle movement and sensory feedback. Because the exact genetic mutation is currently unknown, diagnosis relies on clinical exams, nerve function tests, and tissue biopsies rather than a DNA test.
View details - MildSkin & coatComplex
Dog allergen
This refers to the genetic factors that influence how a dog produces specific proteins, such as Can f 1, which are naturally shed in their dander, saliva, and urine. While these proteins can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive humans, they are a normal part of the dog's biological makeup. This is not a disease or a malfunction of any organ system in the dog.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 3(DEA 3)
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen 3 (DEA 3) is a specific protein found on the surface of a dog's red blood cells, which determines their blood type. This inherited trait is part of the canine circulatory system and does not represent a disease. If a dog without this protein receives DEA 3-positive blood during a transfusion, their immune system may recognize it as foreign and react against it.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 4(DEA 4)
DEA 4 is a naturally occurring blood group system in dogs, defined by a specific protein called an antigen found on the surface of red blood cells. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is present in approximately 98% of all dogs, making it the normal physiological standard. Because it is a healthy blood type rather than a disease, it does not cause any harm to the dog's circulatory system.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 7(DEA 7)
DEA 7 is a naturally occurring blood group system in dogs, determined by the presence or absence of a specific protein called an antigen 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. Rather than being a disease, it is a normal genetic variation of the circulatory system.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 8(DEA 8)
Dog Erythrocyte Antigen (DEA) 8 is a naturally occurring blood group system in dogs, defined by specific proteins on the surface of red blood cells. It is a normal genetic variation rather than a disease, though it plays a role in how the immune system reacts during blood transfusions. While it is clinically relevant for matching blood, testing for DEA 8 is currently not possible in practice because the necessary typing sera are extremely scarce and commercially unavailable.
View details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Dominant white coat color
This genetic variant, caused by a mutation in the KIT gene, affects the development of pigment-producing cells in the skin and hair follicles. In dogs, this specific mutation is known as 'Panda white spotting' and is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs, though it can occasionally appear spontaneously in other breeds like Weimaraners. It leads to distinct white patches or a predominantly white coat while typically leaving eye pigmentation unaffected.
View details - HighSpineAutosomal recessive
Dwarfism with anaemia(CDA)
This is an inherited disorder that affects both the skeletal system and the blood. It causes abnormal bone development, leading to dwarfism, alongside hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells are destroyed prematurely. This dual-system disease is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the gene from both parents.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Dwarfism, PRKG2-related(PRKG2)
This is an inherited skeletal disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the PRKG2 gene, which impairs normal bone and cartilage development. The mutation disrupts the skeletal system's growth plates, preventing the long bones in the limbs from growing to their proper length. This leads to disproportionate dwarfism, where the dog's legs are abnormally short compared to the rest of its body.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemUnknown
Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia is a severe disease affecting the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions that happen automatically. This malfunction disrupts essential processes like digestion, heart rate, tear production, and pupil control. It is an acquired, non-hereditary condition, meaning it is not passed down from parent dogs, and there are currently no genetic tests available.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Dyserythropoietic anemia and myopathy syndrome(DAMS)
Dyserythropoietic Anemia and Myopathy Syndrome (DAMS) is an inherited disorder caused by mutations in the EHBP1L1 gene in Labrador Retrievers and English Springer Spaniels. It simultaneously affects the blood-producing system and the muscles, leading to poorly formed red blood cells, known as anemia, and the progressive breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue. This dual impact means the dog's body cannot transport oxygen efficiently and their muscles gradually weaken.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica(DEH)
Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is a rare skeletal disorder characterized by abnormal, benign cartilage overgrowth on one side of the bone ends, which are known as epiphyses. This overgrowth occurs within the joints, disrupting normal bone development and leading to progressive joint deformity and restricted movement.
View details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Dystonia
Dystonia is a neurological disorder affecting the brain's control over muscles. It causes involuntary, sustained muscle contractions that force the dog into abnormal or twisted postures. Because this is a generic category, it refers to cases where there is no specific genetic test available, unlike some breed-specific forms of the condition.
View details
Why HonestDog?
What makes HonestDog different from other platforms
Full transparency
We lay everything out clearly: who the breeder is, how they work, health checks, and genetic test results. So you can decide with full confidence.
Responsible breeding, assured
Every breeder on HonestDog meets strict standards, including health checks and genetic testing for both parents. So you never have to worry about puppy mills or bad actors.
Trust and verification
We verify breeders and buyers alike, so every conversation happens on solid ground. It's a new standard of trust in dog breeding.
Less hassle, more time
We've already vetted the breeders 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.
Why HonestDog?
We connect you with vetted breeders and shelters so you can find your — 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.