Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Duchenne muscular dystrophy(DMD)
This is a severe, inherited muscle disorder caused by a lack of dystrophin, which is a crucial protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Without this protein, both the skeletal muscles used for movement and the cardiac muscle of the heart progressively weaken and break down.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA)(IMHA)
Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a severe condition where the dog's immune system mistakenly identifies its own red blood cells as foreign threats and destroys them. Because red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen, this destruction leads to a critical oxygen shortage throughout the body's organs. This disease primarily impacts the immune and circulatory systems.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Malignant Hyperthermia(MH)
Malignant hyperthermia, also known as anesthesia hypersensitivity, is an inherited skeletal muscle disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RYR1 gene. This mutation disrupts how calcium is regulated within the muscle cells, causing them to contract uncontrollably when triggered. These intense spasms generate a rapid, life-threatening rise in body temperature, typically brought on by specific anesthetic gases or extreme physical stress.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Megaesophagus(ME)
Megaesophagus is a disorder of the digestive system where the esophagus, the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach, becomes abnormally stretched and loses its muscle tone. Because these muscles can no longer contract to push food and liquid downward, meals become trapped in the tube. This trapped material is typically regurgitated, meaning it is passively cast back up before ever reaching the stomach.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, 7(NCL7)
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 7 (NCL7) is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system. It occurs when a genetic mutation prevents cells from properly breaking down cellular waste, causing these waste products to build up and damage nerve cells in the brain. This buildup leads to the progressive loss of normal brain and nerve function.
Affects 7 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHeartAutosomal recessive
Canine cyclic hematopoiesis(GCS)
This is an inherited bone marrow disorder where the body's production of blood cells, particularly infection-fighting white blood cells, drops drastically at regular intervals. This cyclic drop temporarily leaves the dog's immune system highly vulnerable to infections. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation affecting how stem cells in the bone marrow mature.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Complex vertebral malformation(CVM)
Complex vertebral malformation is a congenital condition where the bones of the spine, known as vertebrae, do not develop properly during fetal growth, sometimes resulting in abnormally shaped bones like "butterfly vertebrae." This structural defect affects the skeletal system and can put pressure on the spinal cord, which is the main nerve pathway running down the back.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Congenital malformations
Congenital malformations are structural defects in a dog's body or internal organs that develop before birth during embryonic development. These abnormalities can affect various organ systems, including the skeleton, nervous system, or heart, due to complex genetic and environmental factors. Because this is a broad category of developmental errors, the exact impact depends on which specific body parts failed to form correctly.
Affects 6 breedsView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Dermoid sinus(DS)
A dermoid sinus is a congenital skin defect where a tube-like channel fails to close properly during embryonic development, extending from the skin's surface down into deeper tissues or even the spinal cord. This condition primarily affects the skin and nervous system along the midline of the neck and back. While genetic risk tests exist to screen for the underlying ridge gene duplication, a physical examination by a veterinarian, known as clinical palpation, remains the gold standard for diagnosing an actual sinus.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Dermoids
A dermoid is a benign, congenital growth where normal skin tissue, which can include hair follicles and glands, mistakenly develops in abnormal locations on the eye. This typically affects the cornea, which is the clear outer surface of the eye, or the conjunctiva, the pink membrane lining the eyelids. Because this misplaced skin tissue often grows hair, it causes constant irritation to the eye's surface.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Eye examView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Disorders of sexual development - sex reversal(DSD)
This is a congenital condition affecting the reproductive system where a dog's genetic sex (their chromosomes) does not match their physical gonads (internal reproductive organs like ovaries or testes) or external genitalia. This mismatch occurs during early development in the womb.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Hereditary Cataract(HC)
Hereditary cataract is an inherited eye disorder characterized by the progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens. This clouding prevents light from passing through to the retina, which gradually impairs the dog's vision and can lead to complete blindness. The condition is primarily inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatUnknown
Histiocytoma
A histiocytoma is a non-cancerous (benign) skin growth that originates from Langerhans cells, which are part of the dog's immune system. These cells normally help protect the skin, but they can sometimes overgrow to form a small, harmless lump. In the vast majority of cases, these tumors are completely benign and will shrink and disappear on their own.
Affects 6 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Laryngeal Paralysis(LP)
Laryngeal paralysis is a respiratory disorder where the nerves controlling the muscles of the larynx, or voice box, fail to function properly. This failure prevents the vocal folds from opening when the dog inhales, which severely restricts airflow into the windpipe and lungs. Over time, this lack of proper movement can lead to significant breathing difficulties.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - MildEyesAutosomal recessive
Multifocal Retinopathy 1(CMR1)
Multifocal Retinopathy 1 is an inherited eye condition affecting the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It causes small, fluid-filled blisters to form beneath this layer, leading to localized areas of retinal detachment. Despite these structural changes, the overall health of the eye is rarely compromised.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Pemphigus(PF)
Pemphigus is a group of serious autoimmune skin diseases, including a severe deep form called pemphigus vulgaris, where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the proteins holding skin cells together. This attack disrupts the skin's outer layers, causing the cells to separate from one another. As a result, painful blisters, open sores, and crusts develop across the skin and mucous membranes.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - ModerateHeartAutosomal recessive
Platelet dysfunction (thrombocytopathia, Basset hound thrombopathia)(BHT)
This is an inherited blood clotting disorder caused by a genetic mutation in the RASGRP2 gene, which affects how platelets (the blood cells responsible for stopping bleeding) function. Even though the dog has a normal number of platelets, these cells cannot clump together properly to form clots. This impairs the circulatory system's ability to heal wounds and control bleeding.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, rod-cone dysplasia 4(PRA-rcd4)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (rcd4) is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual degeneration of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Over time, the specialized photoreceptor cells responsible for detecting light and color slowly die off. This progressive loss of cells eventually leads to complete blindness in both eyes.
Affects 6 breedsTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemUnknown
Shaker dog syndrome(GTS)
Shaker dog syndrome is an inflammatory condition affecting the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary muscle movements. This inflammation, believed to be an immune-mediated response where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own nervous tissue, leads to uncontrollable full-body tremors. The exact underlying cause of this brain inflammation remains unknown.
Affects 6 breedsView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Zinc-responsive dermatosis(ZRD)
Zinc-responsive dermatosis is a skin disorder where a dog's body cannot properly absorb or use zinc from their food, even when eating a balanced diet. This nutritional deficiency weakens the skin's protective barrier, leading to irritation and abnormal skin cell development. Because there are no genetic tests for this condition, veterinarians diagnose it using breed history, skin biopsies, and how well the dog responds to zinc therapy.
Affects 6 breedsView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Amelogenesis Imperfecta (Enamel Hypoplasia)(AI)
This is an inherited genetic disorder affecting the dental system, specifically the development of tooth enamel. Due to a genetic mutation, the protective outer layer of the teeth (enamel) does not form properly or is completely missing. This leaves the softer, underlying layers of the teeth exposed, making them fragile and highly sensitive.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighHeartComplex
Atrial septal defect(ASD)
An atrial septal defect is a congenital heart condition where a hole exists in the wall, called the septum, that separates the two upper chambers of the heart. This opening allows blood to flow abnormally between these chambers, which can gradually place extra strain on both the heart and the lungs.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: Cardiac examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Chronic hepatitis(CH)
Chronic hepatitis is a long-term, progressive inflammation of the liver, which is the organ responsible for filtering toxins and processing nutrients. This ongoing inflammation damages the liver tissue over time and can eventually lead to liver failure. It is often caused by genetic predispositions that lead to abnormal copper buildup in the liver, or by abnormal immune system responses.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA test, Clinical examView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Episodic Falling(EF)
Episodic Falling is an inherited neurological disorder where the nervous system fails to properly regulate muscle tone. When triggered by excitement, stress, or exercise, the muscles in the limbs temporarily tighten and cramp. This causes the dog to lose control of its movement, although they remain fully conscious throughout the episode.
Affects 5 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Familial goitre(CHG)
Familial goitre is an inherited disorder of the endocrine system where the thyroid gland is unable to produce essential thyroid hormones. This genetic defect causes the thyroid gland in the neck to enlarge significantly as it tries to compensate for the hormone deficiency. Without immediate treatment, this lack of hormones severely disrupts normal growth and body functions.
Affects 5 breedsTested 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.
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