Dog Diseases Database
Every hereditary and common canine condition — with tests, affected body regions, and the breeds where each shows up most.
Filters
- MildSkin & coatComplex
Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a harmless condition affecting the skin and coat where the body's immune system mistakenly destroys melanocytes, which are the cells responsible for producing pigment. This leads to a progressive loss of color in localized areas of the skin, nose, and fur. The condition is entirely cosmetic and does not cause any underlying illness or physical discomfort.
Affects 3 breedsView details - ModerateGeneral / metabolicComplex
Behavioral Issues
Behavioral disorders in dogs involve abnormalities in the central nervous system and brain chemistry, which regulate mood and responses to stimuli. These conditions arise from a complex interaction between a dog's genetic makeup and its environmental experiences. This means there is no single gene responsible, but rather a combination of hereditary factors that influence how a dog reacts to its world.
Affects 2 breedsView details - 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: RadiographView 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 breedsView 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 testView 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 breedsView 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 breedsView 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) in Pembroke Welsh Corgis. 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: OtherView 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. This genetic condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack blood vessels, leading to restricted blood flow and tissue damage. Unlike other forms of vasculopathy, this specific familial type is inherited in an autosomal-recessive manner and primarily impacts German Shepherds.
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 breedsView 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 - HighGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Hereditary myopathy - Labrador retriever/Bouviers des Flandres myopathy(CNM)
This is an inherited muscle disease affecting the skeletal muscles of Labrador Retrievers and Bouviers des Flandres. It is caused by a genetic defect that prevents muscle fibers from developing normally, leading to progressive muscle wasting where the muscles gradually shrink and weaken.
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 breedsView details - SevereGeneral / metabolicAutosomal recessive
Inflammatory Pulmonary Disease(IPD)
Inflammatory Pulmonary Disease (IPD) is an inherited respiratory disorder affecting the lungs and airways. It is caused by a genetic defect in the cilia, which are tiny, hair-like structures responsible for clearing mucus and debris from the respiratory tract. Without functioning cilia, the lungs cannot self-clean, leading to persistent buildup and chronic inflammation.
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 breedsView 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 - 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: Radiograph, DNA testView 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 breedsView details
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