Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- HighHead / nervous systemComplex
Cauda equina syndrome(DLSS)
Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition affecting the lower back, where the bundle of nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord becomes compressed and damaged. This compression typically occurs at the junction between the lower lumbar spine and the sacrum. It is often triggered by degenerative changes, such as a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal, which put pressure on these vital nerves.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Radiograph, Clinical examView details - HighEyesComplex
Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)(CPRA)
Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) is an inherited eye disease that affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the dog's eye. In this condition, the supporting cells of the retina fail to properly process waste and transport nutrients to the light-sensing cells. Over time, this metabolic failure causes these light-sensing cells to slowly deteriorate, resulting in a gradual loss of vision.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Eye examView details - MildSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Coat colour, extension(E-Locus)
The Extension locus, also known as the E Locus or MC1R gene, is a genetic location that controls pigment production in a dog's hair follicles and skin. It acts as a biological switch, determining whether the body produces dark pigment, called eumelanin, or yellow-to-red pigment, called pheomelanin. This is a normal genetic variation that influences physical appearance rather than a medical disease.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone Degeneration(CD)
Cone degeneration is an inherited eye disorder where the specialized light-sensitive cells in the retina responsible for color and bright light vision, called cones, gradually break down. This deterioration specifically affects the dog's ability to see in daylight, while the rod cells, which handle low-light and night vision, remain completely healthy and functional.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA test, Eye examView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Cone-rod dystrophy 4 (crd4/cord1-PRA)(cord4)
This condition is an inherited eye disease that causes the gradual breakdown of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. It specifically targets both the cone cells, which handle daylight and color vision, and the rod cells, which are responsible for seeing in low light. As these specialized cells degenerate, the dog's ability to send visual signals to the brain steadily declines.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - SevereHeartComplex
Congenital heart defect
A congenital heart defect is a structural malformation of the heart or its major blood vessels that develops before birth. These physical abnormalities disrupt the normal flow of blood through the cardiovascular system, making it harder for the heart to pump oxygen throughout the body. This structural strain can lead to fluid buildup and reduces the dog's overall stamina.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Cardiac examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Cystinuria, type III
Cystinuria type III is an inherited metabolic kidney disorder where the kidneys fail to reabsorb the amino acid cystine, which is a building block of proteins, back into the bloodstream. Instead, this substance accumulates in the urine, where it can crystallize. These crystals eventually clump together to form painful stones within the bladder or kidneys.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereSpineComplex
Degenerative Myelopathy Early-Onset Modifier (Pembroke Welsh Corgi)
This genetic modifier, abbreviated as DMRM, is a variation in the SP110 gene that accelerates the onset of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM). DM is a severe, progressive disease of the spinal cord where the protective sheath around the nerves degrades, disrupting the signals between the brain and the body. Dogs carrying this modifier experience this neurological decline much earlier in life than those without it.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Dental hypomineralization(DH)
This is an inherited dental disorder where the outer protective layer of the teeth, known as enamel, does not mineralize properly during development. Because the enamel remains soft and thin, the teeth lack their normal protective shield and are highly prone to damage. This genetic condition is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Dermatosis
Dermatosis is a general term for any disease or abnormal condition affecting a dog's skin, which is the body's largest organ system. These conditions disrupt the skin's natural protective barrier, structure, or pigment, often due to a complex mix of genetic and environmental factors. Because it is an umbrella term, it covers various specific skin disorders rather than a single disease.
Affects 2 breedsView details - ModerateEarsComplex
Ear anomalies
Ear anomalies are congenital malformations affecting the structure of a dog's outer ear, ear canal, or inner ear. These developmental defects can block normal airflow or disrupt the transmission of sound, potentially causing chronic infections or hearing loss. To assess the extent of the inner ear's function, veterinarians often use a specialized hearing test known as a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Ectodermal Dysplasia(ED-SFS)
Ectodermal dysplasia with skin fragility syndrome (ED-SFS) is a severe genetic disorder affecting the skin and its associated structures, such as hair, claws, and teeth. It is caused by a defect in the proteins that normally bind skin cells together, leading to extremely weak cell cohesion. This lack of structural integrity makes the skin highly vulnerable to tearing and peeling under normal wear and tear.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighHeartAutosomal recessive
Familial vasculopathy(FCV)
Familial vasculopathy is an inherited inflammatory disorder of the blood vessels, primarily affecting the skin of German Shepherds. This genetic condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack blood vessels, leading to restricted blood flow and tissue damage.
Affects 2 breedsView details - MildGeneral / metabolicComplex
Fecundity, generic
This refers to a dog's genetic predisposition regarding reproductive capacity, specifically fertility and litter size. It involves the complex biological mechanisms of the reproductive system, determining how easily a dog can conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. It is not a disease, but rather a genetic variation affecting reproductive efficiency.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Glycogen storage disease type Ia(GSD Ia)
Glycogen storage disease type Ia is an inherited metabolic disorder affecting the liver and kidneys. It is caused by a deficiency in a key enzyme needed to break down stored sugar, known as glycogen, into glucose for energy. Without this enzyme, glycogen builds up to damaging levels in these organs while the rest of the body suffers from a severe lack of fuel.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Hemophilia B(HEMB)
Haemophilia B is a severe, X-linked genetic bleeding disorder affecting the blood circulatory system. It is caused by a deficiency in clotting factor IX, which is a specific protein necessary for blood to clot properly. Without enough of this protein, the normal clotting process fails, leading to prolonged or uncontrolled bleeding.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis, FAM83G-related(HFH)
Hereditary footpad hyperkeratosis, also known as palmoplantar hyperkeratosis, is an inherited skin disorder caused by an autosomal-recessive genetic mutation. It affects the outer layer of the skin on a dog's paw pads, causing an overproduction of keratin, which is the tough protective protein found in hair and nails. This leads to abnormally thick, hard, and inelastic pads that easily crack and split.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis(HNPK)
Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK) is an inherited skin disorder that affects the nose. It is caused by a genetic defect that disrupts keratinization, which is the natural process where skin cells mature and form a protective, moisture-retaining outer layer. Without this barrier, the skin on the nose becomes extremely dry, thick, and prone to damage.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Hyperlipidemia
Hyperlipidaemia is a metabolic disorder where a dog's body cannot properly process fats, leading to abnormally high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in the bloodstream. This excess fat circulates through the cardiovascular system and can affect various organs, particularly the pancreas and liver. Veterinarians diagnose and monitor this condition using blood tests like a fasting lipid profile to measure these fat levels.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Hyperparathyroidism(PHPT)
This condition involves the overactivity of the parathyroid glands, which are small endocrine glands located in the neck. These glands produce an excess of parathyroid hormone, causing calcium levels in the blood to rise abnormally high and potentially damage vital organs like the kidneys.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateEyesUnknown
Iris hypoplasia
Iris hypoplasia is a congenital condition affecting the eye where the iris, which is the colored part of the eye, is underdeveloped and thinner than normal. This thinning or the presence of small gaps means the eye cannot fully regulate the amount of light entering the pupil. It is a benign, non-painful developmental variation rather than an active, progressive disease.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Eye examView details - SevereSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Lethal Acrodermatitis(LAD)
Lethal acrodermatitis is an inherited metabolic disorder that affects a dog's skin and immune system. It is caused by an inability to properly process zinc, which leads to severe skin inflammation and a weakened ability to fight off infections.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I (Irish Setter)(CLAD-I)
Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency Type I is a severe inherited immune system disorder where white blood cells cannot properly stick to and migrate into infected tissues. Because these defensive cells cannot reach the site of an infection, the body is unable to fight off bacteria and other pathogens.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Lissencephaly
Lissencephaly is an inherited brain malformation where the cerebral cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain, fails to develop its normal folds and remains abnormally smooth. This genetic defect disrupts how nerve cells migrate during development, severely impairing the central nervous system's ability to process information.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA test, Clinical examView details - SevereSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Lupoid dermatosis(ECLE)
Lupoid dermatosis is an inherited autoimmune skin disease where a dog's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own skin cells. This abnormal immune response targets the outer layers of the skin, leading to severe, chronic inflammation and tissue damage. Over time, this causes significant scaling, crusting, and hair loss across the body.
Affects 2 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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