Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
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- SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
SETX-related ataxia
This is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the nervous system, caused by a genetic mutation in the SETX gene. This defect leads to the progressive breakdown of nerve cells that are responsible for controlling and coordinating voluntary movements. As these cells degenerate, the brain loses its ability to properly communicate with the muscles.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Severe combined immunodeficiency disease, autosomal, T cell-negative, B cell-negative, NK cell-positive(SCID)
This is a severe, inherited disorder of the immune system where the body fails to produce functional T and B white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections. While natural killer (NK) cells—another type of immune cell—are still present, they are not enough to protect the body. This leaves affected puppies completely vulnerable to even minor viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
View details - HighSpineUnknown
Short spine syndrome
Short spine syndrome is a severe, congenital malformation of the skeletal system where the bones of the spine, called vertebrae, are severely shortened and fused together. This fusion prevents the spine from growing to its normal length, while the limbs develop normally. The condition permanently affects the structural alignment of the dog's back and neck.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Shoulder luxation
Shoulder luxation is a skeletal condition where the upper arm bone, called the humerus, slips out of its normal position in the shoulder joint socket. This displacement can be congenital, meaning the dog is born with a malformed joint, or it can occur due to physical injury. Veterinarians typically use shoulder X-rays to confirm the dislocation and determine which direction the bone has shifted.
Tested via: RadiographView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
SIX6-related eye malformation
This is a congenital eye malformation caused by a genetic mutation in the SIX6 gene, which is crucial for normal eye development. The defect disrupts how the eye structures form in the womb, often resulting in microphthalmia, which means the eyeballs are abnormally small, or eyes that are incompletely developed. It 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 - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Sjogren syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, specifically the tear and salivary glands. This targeted attack causes chronic inflammation and destruction of the glandular tissue, leading to a severe lack of tears and saliva. Veterinarians often use a diagnostic tool called the Schirmer Tear Test (STT) to measure this tear deficiency and confirm the diagnosis.
Tested via: Eye examView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Skeletal dysplasia 3, PCYT1A-related(SD3)
Skeletal dysplasia 3 (SD3) is an inherited genetic disorder of the skeletal system caused by a mutation in the PCYT1A gene. This mutation impairs the normal longitudinal growth of the limb bones, resulting in disproportionate dwarfism, a condition where the legs are abnormally short compared to the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatUnknown
Skin tags
Acrochordonous plaques are benign, harmless skin growths affecting the dog's outer skin layer and underlying connective tissue. They typically form soft, raised bumps that are medically harmless and do not become cancerous.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
SLC7A10-related paradoxical pseudomyotonia(PPM)
This is a hereditary muscle disorder affecting the skeletal muscles, where the muscles fail to relax normally after contraction or when exposed to cold temperatures. It is caused by a genetic mutation in the SLC7A10 gene, which disrupts the chemical signals needed for muscles to loosen up after tensing.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighHeartAutosomal recessive
Spherocytosis(HS)
Hereditary spherocytosis is an inherited red blood cell disorder primarily documented in Golden Retrievers, caused by a deficiency in a structural protein called spectrin. This deficiency causes the red blood cells to become fragile and spherical instead of their normal disc shape, leading to their premature destruction. While this hereditary form is genetic, abnormally round red blood cells (spherocytes) are more commonly acquired as a feature of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA).
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Spina bifida occulta(SBO)
Spina bifida occulta is a mild, hidden developmental defect of the skeletal system where one or more of the bony arches of the spine fail to close completely during development. Because the spinal cord and its protective membranes usually remain intact and in their normal position, the nervous system is typically unaffected. A spinal radiograph, or X-ray, is the primary diagnostic tool used to identify this vertebral arch defect.
Tested via: RadiographView details - HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Spinal intradural arachnoid cyst(SAD)
This is a developmental malformation of the nervous system where cerebrospinal fluid, the protective fluid surrounding the brain and spine, builds up within the membranes of the spinal cord. This accumulation forms a fluid-filled sac, or cyst, that puts physical pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure disrupts the normal transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spinocerebellar ataxia, SLC12A6-related(SCA)
This is a hereditary neurological disorder caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal function of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Specifically, it leads to the progressive degeneration of the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordinating movement. As these nerve cells break down, the dog loses the ability to control its limbs and balance properly.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spinocerebellar ataxia, SPTBN2-related(NCCD)
This is an inherited neurological disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the cerebellum, which is the area of the brain responsible for coordinating movement. As these cells degenerate, the brain can no longer properly control muscle coordination and balance.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, congenital type(SEDC)
This is a rare, inherited skeletal disorder affecting the development of bone and cartilage in the spine and the ends of the long bones. A genetic mutation causes abnormal cartilage formation, which prevents normal bone growth and leads to disproportionate dwarfism. This means the dog's limbs and spine do not grow to their normal length or shape, resulting in structural deformities.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Squamous cell carcinoma of the digit(SCC)
This is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the skin cells that develops in the toe area, typically starting in the nail bed. It is a severe condition that can invade and destroy the surrounding bone of the digit if left untreated. In Poodles and Giant Schnauzers, a specific genetic variation in the KITLG gene is known to increase the risk of developing this cancer.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesAutosomal recessive
Stargardt disease(STGD)
Stargardt disease is an inherited eye disorder where a genetic defect causes the progressive breakdown of photoreceptor cells in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This degeneration gradually impairs the eye's ability to process light and send visual signals to the brain. Over time, this leads to a slow and progressive loss of vision.
Tested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - MildHead / nervous systemComplex
Stereotypical hypersociability
Stereotypical hypersociability is a genetic behavioral trait linked to variations in a specific region of canine chromosome 6, which is similar to the region associated with Williams-Beuren syndrome in humans. This genetic variation affects the nervous system, leading to an exceptionally strong drive for social interaction. Rather than a clinical disease, it is considered a normal behavioral characteristic associated with dog domestication.
View details - SevereSkin & coatComplex
Stevens-Johnson syndrome, susceptibility to(SJS)
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a severe, immune-mediated reaction affecting the skin and mucous membranes, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. This reaction is typically triggered by specific medications, such as phenobarbital, in dogs with a genetic predisposition. The condition causes the outer layer of the skin to die and separate from the deeper layers.
View details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Stiff skin syndrome(SSS)
Stiff skin syndrome is an inherited genetic disorder affecting the connective tissues, specifically the skin and the underlying fascia, which is the fibrous tissue enclosing the muscles. It causes a progressive hardening and loss of elasticity in these tissues, which severely restricts the dog's normal movement. This condition is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Stomatocytosis
Stomatocytosis is an inherited disorder of the red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Due to a defect in the cell membrane, these cells deform into a mouth-like or bowl-like shape instead of their normal round form. Because these deformed cells are fragile, the body breaks them down prematurely, which can lead to a shortage of red blood cells, a condition known as anemia.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Stomatocytosis and gastritis
This inherited condition affects both the blood and the digestive system, causing deformed red blood cells and a chronic thickening of the stomach lining. The abnormally shaped red blood cells, known as stomatocytes, cannot carry oxygen effectively, while the thickened stomach lining leads to severe, ongoing inflammation (gastritis). It is passed down as an autosomal-recessive trait.
View details - HighEyesUnknown
Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS)(SARDS)
SARDS is a disease of the eyes where the light-sensitive cells of the retina suddenly and rapidly degenerate, leading to permanent blindness. The retina is the layer at the back of the eye that captures light and sends visual signals to the brain. The exact cause of this rapid cell death remains unknown, and the eyes initially look completely normal from the outside.
Tested via: Eye examView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Susceptibility to cholelithiasis
This condition is a genetic predisposition to developing gallstones within the gallbladder or bile ducts, which are key components of the biliary and digestive systems. These stones form when substances in the bile crystallize and harden, which can partially or completely block the normal flow of digestive fluids from the liver to the small intestine.
Tested via: UltrasoundView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Susceptibility to otitis media
This condition is an inherited susceptibility to inflammation and infection of the middle ear, which is the chamber located directly behind the eardrum. Due to complex genetic factors, anatomical variations or poor drainage in this area can cause painful fluid and bacteria to build up. This directly affects the dog's auditory system and can lead to pressure and discomfort.
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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