Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereHead / nervous systemComplex
Susceptibility/resistance to spongiform encephalopathy
Spongiform encephalopathies are severe brain disorders caused by abnormal proteins called prions, which trigger progressive, sponge-like degeneration of the central nervous system. Dogs are naturally highly resistant to these diseases due to a specific, protective genetic structure in their prion proteins. Because this resistance is a species-wide trait, commercial genetic testing is not offered or needed for dogs.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Swimmer puppy syndrome
Swimming-pup syndrome is a developmental disorder affecting the musculoskeletal system of very young puppies. It causes the muscles and ligaments in the limbs to develop abnormally, leading to legs that splay out to the sides rather than supporting the body. This prevents the puppy from standing upright, causing the chest and abdomen to lie flat against the floor.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Syndactyly
Syndactyly is a congenital skeletal condition where two or more toes on a dog's paw are fused together. This fusion occurs during embryonic development and can involve just the skin or the underlying bones of the toes. Veterinarians typically use physical examinations and X-rays to evaluate the structure of the bones and determine the severity of the fusion.
Tested via: Clinical examView details - HighHeartComplex
Tachycardia
Tachycardia is an abnormally rapid heart rate affecting the cardiovascular system. When the heart beats too fast, it cannot fill properly with blood between beats, which reduces its ability to pump oxygen throughout the body. This abnormal rhythm is often triggered by underlying structural heart diseases, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, which weakens the heart muscle.
View details - MildEyesAutosomal recessive
Tapetal degeneration
Tapetum degeneration is a benign, structural change affecting the tapetum lucidum, which is the reflective layer at the back of a dog's eye that helps them see in low light. In affected dogs, this reflective layer degenerates, but it does not cause blindness or significant vision loss. It is considered an incidental finding, meaning it is a harmless physical variation rather than a progressive disease.
Tested via: Eye examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Telomere length
Telomeres are protective caps located at the ends of a dog's chromosomes that shield genetic material during cell division. As cells divide over time, these caps naturally shorten, making telomere length a key indicator of cellular health and biological aging across the entire body. This is not a disease itself, but rather a genetic measure of how a dog is aging at a cellular level.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Tetragametic chimerism (including Freemartinism)
This is a rare developmental accident where a dog develops from two different fertilized eggs that fused together in the womb, resulting in a single animal with two distinct sets of DNA. In cases involving male and female twins, known as freemartinism, hormone sharing can cause abnormal development of the reproductive system. Because this is an embryological mishap rather than an inherited genetic disease, it cannot be detected using standard commercial canine DNA panels.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Thoracoabdominal syndrome(TAS)
Thoracoabdominal syndrome, also known as Pentalogy of Cantrell, is a rare congenital condition where the midline of the body fails to fuse properly during embryonic development. This results in structural defects in the chest and abdominal walls, specifically affecting the breastbone, diaphragm, and surrounding tissues. In severe cases, internal organs may be displaced or lack proper protection.
View details - SevereSpineComplex
Thoracolumbar myelopathy
Thoracolumbar myelopathy is a severe disease affecting the spinal cord in the mid-to-lower back, known as the thoracic and lumbar regions. It occurs when the spinal cord is compressed or damaged by issues like slipped discs or spinal instability, which disrupts the nerve signals traveling between the brain and the back half of the body. This disruption impairs the dog's ability to coordinate its hind legs and control bodily functions.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Thromboxane responsiveness of platelets
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder affecting platelets, which are specialized blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding. In affected dogs, these platelets do not respond properly to thromboxane, a chemical signal that normally triggers them to clump together and form a clot. Because of this defect in the circulatory system, the dog's body cannot efficiently plug damaged blood vessels after an injury.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Thyroid follicular cell carcinoma, susceptibility to
This genetic predisposition increases a dog's risk of developing follicular thyroid carcinoma, which is a malignant cancer of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is an endocrine organ in the neck that produces hormones regulating metabolism. In affected dogs, genetic mutations cause the hormone-producing cells in this gland to grow uncontrollably and form aggressive tumors.
Tested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal dominant
Ticking(T)
Ticking is a harmless genetic coat pattern where small, colored spots develop within the white areas of a dog's coat. This trait is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning a dog only needs one copy of the gene to show the pattern. It affects only the pigment-producing cells in the skin and hair follicles, having no impact on the dog's physical health or internal organ systems.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
TP53-related cancer(TP53)
This condition is an inherited predisposition to cancer caused by a mutation in the TP53 gene. This gene normally acts as a tumor suppressor, meaning it produces a protein that regulates cell division and prevents damaged cells from multiplying. Without this functioning protective system, dogs are highly susceptible to developing various aggressive tumors throughout the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Transitional cell carcinoma(TCC)
Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is a severe, malignant cancer of the urinary tract, most commonly arising in the bladder or the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the tumor grows, it invades the surrounding bladder wall and can block the normal flow of urine. This cancer is associated with complex genetic factors, including specific acquired mutations in the cells of the bladder.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Tremor syndrome with central axonopathy
This is a severe, inherited neurological disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system. It is characterized by damage to axons, the long nerve fibers that transmit electrical signals between nerve cells. Because these fibers are damaged, the brain cannot communicate properly with the rest of the body.
View details - MildHeartAutosomal dominant
TUBB1-related macrothrombocytopenia
This is an inherited blood condition where a genetic mutation affects how platelets, the cells responsible for blood clotting, develop. The body produces fewer platelets than normal, but the ones it does make are abnormally large. Despite these changes in cell size and number, the blood's ability to clot normally is typically not impaired.
Tested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Tuberculosis, susceptibility/resistance to
This genetic trait influences how a dog's immune system responds to tuberculosis bacteria, determining whether they are naturally resistant or highly susceptible to infection. If a susceptible dog is exposed, the bacteria primarily target the respiratory system and lymph nodes, though they can spread to other organs. Because this is a complex genetic trait, multiple genes work together to shape this immune response.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Uterine aplasia
Uterine aplasia is a congenital condition affecting the female reproductive system where parts of the uterus, typically one of the uterine horns, fail to develop properly before birth. This means the dog is born with an incomplete reproductive tract. Because it is a developmental defect present from birth, it is not a progressive disease.
View details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Uveodermatological syndrome(UDS)
Uveodermatological syndrome is an autoimmune disorder where a dog's immune system mistakenly attacks its own pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes. This attack primarily targets the eyes and the skin, leading to severe internal eye inflammation and a loss of coloration. Because the body's defense system is targeting its own tissues, it causes ongoing damage to these specific organ systems.
Tested via: Eye examView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Variation in vaccine-induced immune response
This condition involves genetic variations that affect how a dog's immune system reacts to vaccinations. Due to these genetic differences, some dogs do not produce a sufficient level of protective antibodies after receiving standard vaccines. This means their immune system, which defends the body against infections, remains partially unprotected against specific diseases.
View details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Various disorders
This is a broad, catch-all classification used in genetic databases to group miscellaneous hereditary conditions and general health disorders that do not fit into a single specific category. Because it represents a wide variety of potential genetic anomalies, it can affect different organ systems depending on the underlying issue. It does not refer to one single, distinct clinical disease.
View details - ModerateHeartUnknown
Vena cava defect, generic
A vena cava defect is a congenital malformation of the large veins that carry oxygen-poor blood from the body back to the heart. This circulatory system issue can disrupt normal blood flow, causing pressure imbalances. It is typically diagnosed using an echocardiography, which is an ultrasound of the heart and its major vessels.
Tested via: Cardiac examView details - SevereHeartAutosomal dominant
Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death(IVA)
This is an inherited heart condition affecting the cardiovascular system, where abnormal electrical signals originate in the lower chambers of the heart, known as the ventricles. These irregular heartbeats, called ventricular arrhythmias, disrupt the heart's normal pumping rhythm and prevent it from circulating blood effectively to the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatX-linked
Verrucous epidermal keratinocytic nevi
This is an inherited skin disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the NSDHL gene, which is passed down on the X chromosome. The mutation affects the development of keratinocytes, which are the cells that make up the outer layer of the skin, leading to abnormal, wart-like growths. Because of how it is inherited, the condition is typically fatal for male puppies before birth, while affected female puppies develop skin issues and associated lameness.
View details - ModerateHead / nervous systemUnknown
Vestibular disease
Vestibular disease is a neurological disorder that affects the balance system, which is located in the inner ear and the brain. It disrupts the dog's sense of spatial orientation, causing a sudden and severe loss of balance similar to extreme vertigo in humans. While some specific genetic forms exist, this broad clinical syndrome most commonly occurs without a known cause.
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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