Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Malassezia dermatitis/otitis
This is an inflammatory skin and ear condition caused by an overgrowth of Malassezia, a type of yeast that naturally lives on a dog's skin. When the skin barrier is disrupted by allergies or a weakened immune system, these yeast organisms multiply uncontrollably and cause irritation. This is considered an opportunistic infection, meaning it takes advantage of an underlying health issue, and it often involves complex genetic predispositions.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII(MPS VII)
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (MPS VII) is an inherited metabolic disorder belonging to a group called lysosomal storage diseases. It occurs when a deficiency in a specific enzyme prevents the body from breaking down complex sugar molecules, leading to a harmful buildup of waste products inside cells. This accumulation causes progressive damage to multiple organ systems, particularly the skeleton and connective tissues.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Musladin-Lueke Syndrome(MLS)
Musladin-Lueke Syndrome (MLS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder that primarily affects Beagles. It is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to an abnormal buildup of collagen, which is the main structural protein in the body's supportive tissues. This buildup causes the skin, joints, and muscles to become abnormally stiff and hard.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - MildSkin & coatUnknown
Non-colour-linked follicular dysplasia
Non-colour-linked follicular dysplasia is an umbrella term for structural abnormalities affecting the hair follicles, the microscopic skin structures that produce hair. Unlike certain other follicle disorders, it occurs independently of the dog's coat colour and causes the follicles to progressively fail at generating healthy hair. Because there is no commercial genetic test, confirmation requires examining a small skin biopsy under a microscope.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen responsible for producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin. In affected dogs, these digestive enzymes activate too early while still inside the pancreas, causing the organ to digest and damage its own tissue. This can lead to widespread inflammation affecting the metabolic and digestive systems.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - HighSkin & coatComplex
Perianal fistulas(PAF)
Anal furunculosis is a chronic, painful inflammatory disease affecting the skin and deeper tissues surrounding the anus. It is caused by an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks the dog's own tissues, leading to deep, pus-filled ulcerations and tunnels, known as fistulas, in the skin. This condition is most commonly seen in German Shepherd Dogs due to a complex genetic predisposition.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereEyesComplex
Persistent right aortic arch (vascular ring anomaly)(PRAA)
This is a congenital abnormality of the cardiovascular system where a blood vessel near the heart fails to dissolve during development. This persistent vessel forms a tight ring around the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. This ring constricts the esophagus, preventing solid food from passing through properly.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: RadiographView details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency(PFK)
This inherited metabolic disorder is caused by a lack of a key enzyme needed to break down sugar for energy in red blood cells and muscles. Without this enzyme, these cells cannot function properly, leading to muscle damage and the premature destruction of red blood cells, which is called hemolysis. This deficiency primarily impacts the muscular and circulatory systems.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHipsAutosomal recessive
Pituitary hormone deficiency, LHX3-related(CPHD)
This condition is an inherited underdevelopment of the pituitary gland, which is a small hormone-producing organ at the base of the brain. Due to a genetic mutation, the gland cannot produce enough growth hormone and other vital regulatory hormones. This deficiency severely impacts the dog's overall development and the function of other organs like the thyroid.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHipsAutosomal recessive
Pituitary hormone deficiency, POU1F1-related(CPHD)
This is an inherited disorder affecting the pituitary gland, which is a small hormone-producing organ at the base of the brain. Due to a genetic mutation, this gland fails to produce essential hormones, specifically growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone. This deficiency severely disrupts the dog's normal growth, metabolism, and physical development.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal dominant
Polycystic kidney disease(PKD)
This is an inherited genetic disorder where numerous fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, develop and multiply within the kidneys. Over time, these expanding cysts crowd out and destroy the surrounding healthy kidney tissue, preventing the organs from filtering waste products from the blood. This leads to a gradual, permanent decline in overall kidney function.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Polyneuropathy, NDRG1-related(AMPN)
This is an inherited disorder of the peripheral nervous system where the protective outer coating of the nerves, known as the myelin sheath, gradually breaks down. Without this protective layer, the electrical signals traveling between the brain and the muscles are disrupted. This leads to a progressive loss of muscle control and coordination throughout the dog's body.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), CCDC39-related(PCD)
This is an inherited respiratory disorder where the microscopic, hair-like structures called cilia lining the airways fail to move properly. These cilia normally sweep mucus, dust, and bacteria out of the lungs to keep them clean. Because the cilia do not work, the respiratory system cannot clear itself, leading to persistent fluid buildup and chronic infections.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighSkin & coatAutosomal recessive
Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), NME5-related(PCD)
Primary ciliary dyskinesia is an inherited respiratory disease caused by a genetic mutation that affects the cilia, which are tiny, hair-like structures lining the airways. In affected dogs, these cilia are malformed or unable to move properly, preventing them from clearing mucus, dust, and bacteria out of the lungs and nasal passages. This failure of the respiratory clearance system leads to chronic airway irritation and recurrent infections.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), CNGB1-related(PRA-CNGB1)
This is an inherited eye disease where a genetic mutation in the CNGB1 gene causes the light-sensitive cells of the retina at the back of the eye to slowly degenerate. Over time, these photoreceptor cells, which are responsible for capturing light and sending visual signals to the brain, stop functioning and die off. This leads to a progressive and permanent loss of vision in both eyes.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Eye exam, DNA testView details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Rod-Cone Dysplasia 2(PRA-rcd2)
This is an inherited eye disease affecting the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. In affected dogs, the photoreceptors—the specialized cells that detect light—develop abnormally during puppyhood and prematurely waste away. This progressive degeneration leads to a complete and permanent loss of vision.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA test, Eye examView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Protein-losing enteropathy(PLE)
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a severe condition affecting the digestive system where the lining of the intestines becomes damaged or inflamed. This damage prevents the intestines from properly absorbing nutrients, causing vital proteins to leak from the bloodstream into the digestive tract. Because these proteins are lost instead of recycled, the body struggles to maintain normal fluid balance and muscle mass.
Affects 2 breedsView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Sensory Neuropathy(SN)
Sensory neuropathy is an inherited neurological disorder where the sensory nerve cells, which transmit feelings of pain and touch to the brain, progressively break down. This degradation of the nervous system prevents the dog from properly feeling its own limbs. It is an autosomal-recessive condition, meaning a puppy must inherit the mutated gene from both parents to be affected.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - ModerateMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Skeletal Dysplasia 2(SD2)
Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2) is an inherited bone growth disorder affecting the skeletal system. It causes a mild form of disproportionate dwarfism, where the long bones of the legs do not grow to their normal length. The torso and head develop normally, resulting in a slightly uneven body shape.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Spongy Degeneration with Cerebellar Ataxia 1 (SDCA1)(SDCA1)
Spongy degeneration with cerebellar ataxia 1 (SDCA1) is an inherited neurological disease that causes the brain tissue, particularly in the cerebellum, to break down and develop a spongy appearance. The cerebellum is the area of the brain responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance. As this tissue degenerates, the dog's nervous system loses the ability to properly control body movements.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy(SLO)
Symmetrical Lupoid Onychodystrophy (SLO) is an immune-mediated disease where the dog's immune system mistakenly attacks the claw beds. This localized immune reaction leads to the progressive damage and shedding of the claws. To confirm the diagnosis, a veterinarian typically performs a claw biopsy, which involves the surgical removal and laboratory analysis of an affected claw.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: Clinical examView details - HighGeneral / metabolicComplex
Tracheal hypoplasia
This is a congenital respiratory condition where the dog's windpipe, or trachea, is abnormally narrow from birth. The rings of cartilage that normally keep the windpipe open are malformed, which restricts the flow of air to the lungs. This makes it significantly harder for the dog to breathe normally.
Affects 2 breedsView details - HighMouth & teethAutosomal recessive
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome(VDEGS)
Van den Ende-Gupta syndrome is an inherited developmental disorder that primarily affects the skeletal system, including the skull and joints. It is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts normal bone and cartilage formation, leading to structural abnormalities. This results in characteristic malformations of the face and limbs.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Weimaraner immunodeficiency(WIS)
Weimaraner immunodeficiency is an inherited disorder of the immune system where affected dogs cannot produce enough antibodies, which are protective proteins needed to fight off illness. Without these antibodies, the dog's body struggles to defend itself against common bacterial and viral infections. This leads to frequent, severe infections throughout the body.
Affects 2 breedsTested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (Dalmatian)(ARDS)
This is an inherited lung disease in Dalmatian puppies that causes progressive damage to the alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs in the lungs responsible for absorbing oxygen. As these air sacs break down, the lungs can no longer transfer oxygen to the bloodstream, leading to sudden and severe respiratory failure.
Affects 1 breedTested 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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