Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB(MPS IIIB)
Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIB is an inherited lysosomal storage disease that primarily affects the brain and nervous system. It is caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down complex sugar molecules. Without this enzyme, these sugars accumulate inside the body's cells, leading to progressive cellular damage.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI(MPS VI)
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI) is an inherited metabolic disease where the body lacks a specific enzyme called arylsulfatase B. Without this enzyme, complex sugar molecules called glycosaminoglycans cannot be broken down and instead build up to harmful levels in the body's tissues. This accumulation primarily damages the skeletal system, joints, and eyes.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Multiple anomalies
This is an inherited condition, passed down on the X chromosome, that causes multiple structural malformations across several organ systems, such as the skeleton, heart, and nervous system. Because it is X-linked, it typically affects male dogs more severely. These developmental defects occur while the puppy is still growing in the womb, leading to complex physical abnormalities at birth.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicComplex
Multiple autoimmune diseases syndrome
This syndrome occurs when a dog's immune system mistakenly identifies its own healthy tissues as foreign threats and attacks multiple organs or systems at the same time or in sequence. Because it involves several distinct autoimmune diseases, it can affect various parts of the body simultaneously, including the skin, joints, and blood vessels. This widespread immune malfunction leads to chronic, systemic inflammation.
View details - MildGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Multiple Lipomatosis
Multiple lipomatosis is a benign skin condition where multiple non-cancerous fatty tumors, called lipomas, grow in the tissue just beneath the dog's skin. These lumps are made of normal fat cells that have multiplied abnormally, but they do not spread to other organs or cause cancer. It primarily affects the subcutaneous tissue, which is the deep layer of the skin.
View details - HighEyesAutosomal dominant
Multiple ocular defects(MOD)
Multiple ocular defects (MOD) is an inherited condition affecting the development of the eye's structures, such as the lens, retina, iris, or cornea. This abnormal development is caused by a genetic mutation that disrupts how these vital parts of the eye form. Because multiple components of the eye are malformed from birth, the condition typically results in severe vision loss or complete blindness.
View details - HighEyesAutosomal recessive
Multiple ocular defects, COL11A1-related
This genetic condition affects the development of the eyes due to a mutation in the COL11A1 gene, which is responsible for producing a specific type of collagen. Collagen is a crucial structural protein that helps maintain the shape and stability of various tissues inside the eye. Without properly functioning collagen, multiple parts of the eye fail to develop correctly, leading to severe structural defects.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Multiple System Degeneration (Chinese Crested)(CMSD)
Multiple System Degeneration, also known as Progressive Neuronal Abiotrophy (PNA), is an inherited neurological disease where specific areas of the brain, particularly the cerebellum, prematurely waste away. The cerebellum is the control center responsible for coordinating voluntary movements and balance. As these brain cells degenerate, the dog gradually loses the ability to control its motor functions.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Muscle hypertrophy, dysphagia, and gait abnormalities
This is an inherited muscle disorder, or myopathy, that affects the skeletal muscles responsible for movement and swallowing. It is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt normal muscle cell structure, leading to abnormal muscle enlargement and a loss of normal function.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Muscular Dystrophy 2(MD)
Muscular Dystrophy 2 is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the skeletal muscles, specifically covering the subtypes LGMDR3 and LGMDR6. It is caused by a deficiency in essential structural proteins that normally protect muscle fibers from damage during movement. Without these proteins, the muscle cells gradually break down and degenerate over time.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, LARGE1-related(MDD)
This is an inherited muscle disorder where a genetic defect in the LARGE1 gene disrupts the stability of muscle cell membranes. Without this protective support, the skeletal muscles undergo progressive and irreversible breakdown. This leads to a gradual loss of muscle function throughout the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Muscular dystrophy, dysphagia-associated
This is a genetic muscle disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of skeletal muscles, particularly affecting the muscles in the throat and esophagus used for swallowing. The loss of muscle function in these areas makes it difficult for the dog to move food safely into the stomach.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Muscular dystrophy, Ullrich type, COL6A3-related(UCMD)
This is an inherited muscle disorder caused by a genetic defect in collagen VI, which is a structural protein essential for holding muscle cells together. Without this properly functioning protein, the muscle tissue becomes unstable and progressively wastes away. This primarily damages the musculoskeletal system, leading to permanent muscle loss.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicUnknown
Mycosis fungoides(MF)
Mycosis fungoides is a rare, malignant type of skin cancer known as a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. In this condition, abnormal white blood cells, which normally help the body fight infection, mistakenly accumulate in the skin layers. This buildup disrupts the normal structure of the skin and leads to progressive tissue damage.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Myelin defect (redundant)
This is a genetic disorder of the nervous system where the protective covering around nerve fibers, called the myelin sheath, grows excessively. This redundant myelin disrupts the normal transmission of electrical signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Because these nerve impulses are severely impaired, the dog cannot properly coordinate its movements.
View details - SevereSpineUnknown
Myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS)
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a severe disorder of the bone marrow, which is the tissue inside bones responsible for producing blood cells. In affected dogs, the bone marrow produces abnormal, immature blood cells that fail to develop properly and cannot function. This leads to a critical shortage of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in the bloodstream. A bone marrow biopsy or aspirate is the essential diagnostic test used to confirm this abnormal cell development and distinguish MDS from leukemia.
View details - MildSpineAutosomal recessive
Myeloperoxidase deficiency(MPOD)
This is an inherited immune system disorder where white blood cells lack myeloperoxidase, an essential enzyme used to kill invading microbes. Without this enzyme, the immune system's ability to destroy certain bacteria and fungi is reduced. This deficiency affects the dog's white blood cells, which are the body's primary defense against infection.
View details - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Myopathy, creatine deficiency disorder, GATM-related
This genetic condition affects the muscular system by disrupting the body's ability to produce creatine, a compound essential for supplying energy to muscle cells. Due to a defect in the GATM gene, the muscles cannot generate enough energy to function properly, leading to cellular starvation. This lack of energy causes progressive muscle damage and weakness over time.
View details - MildEyesComplex
Myopia
Myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, is a vision disorder affecting the eyes. It occurs when the eyeball is anatomically too long or the lens focuses light incorrectly, causing light to focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This refractive error means that while close objects are clear, distant objects appear blurry to the dog.
View details - SevereGeneral / metabolicX-linked
Myotubular Myopathy(MTM-XL)
This is a severe, inherited muscle disorder affecting the skeletal muscles, which control movement. It is caused by an X-linked genetic defect that prevents muscle fibers from developing and maturing properly. This lack of normal muscle structure leads to profound, generalized muscle weakness throughout the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - SevereSpineAutosomal recessive
NAPEPLD-related Leukoencephalomyelopathy(LEMP)
This is an inherited, degenerative disease of the nervous system, specifically affecting the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the protective myelin sheath—the insulating layer that surrounds nerve fibers to help transmit signals—is progressively destroyed. Without this protective coating, the nervous system cannot properly send messages to the rest of the body.
Tested via: DNA testView details - ModerateHead / nervous systemAutosomal recessive
Narcolepsy(NARC)
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the brain's ability to regulate sleep and wakefulness. It is caused by a genetic defect in the receptors for hypocretin, which is a chemical messenger in the brain responsible for keeping the animal awake. Without functioning receptors, the brain cannot properly control the transition between being awake and asleep.
View details - ModerateSkin & coatComplex
Nasal dermal arteritis(DANP)
This is an inflammatory condition affecting the blood vessels, known as arteritis, in the skin of a dog's nose. The inflammation restricts blood flow to the local tissue, which leads to tissue breakdown and damage. A skin biopsy evaluated by a pathologist is the standard method used to confirm this diagnosis.
View details - MildEyesComplex
Nasolacrimal duct obstruction(NLDO)
This condition involves a blockage or malformation of the nasolacrimal duct, which is the drainage tube that normally carries excess tears from the eyes into the nose. Because the tears cannot drain properly, they overflow onto the face. This affects the ocular (eye) system and can be congenital, meaning the dog is born with an incomplete or closed drainage opening.
View details - SevereHead / nervous systemComplex
Necrotising meningoencephalitis(NME)
Necrotising meningoencephalitis is a severe, progressive inflammatory disease of the brain and its protective outer membranes, known as the meninges. It occurs when the dog's own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy nerve tissue, causing tissue death, or necrosis, in the brain. This condition primarily affects the central nervous system of certain small and toy dog breeds.
Tested via: DNA testView details
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