Hereditary Diseases

These pages are for guidance only, if you are in any doubt over your pet's health please consult your veterinary surgeon.

Unfortunately, hereditary diseases are very common among dogs and are not limited to pedigrees. Click on the relevant link to find out more about the different conditions. The Breeds pages have an indication as to which diseases affect which breeds. Before getting a dog, make sure that either the parents or puppies have undergone any relevant tests and make sure that you see the results!

As part of her final year research project, one of my friends from the Royal Veterinary College is doing research into breed-related problems in dogs. If you own or have owned a dog, please fill in her questionnaire or visit the Facebook group.


Diseases of Bones and Joints

Hip dysplasia
Legge-Calve-Perthes Disease
Elbow Dysplasia
Osteochondrosis
Slipping patella
Intervertebral Disc Disease

Eye Diseases

 Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Entropion
Hereditary Cataracts
Collie Eye Anomaly
Glaucoma/Goniodysgenesis

Heart Diseases

Mitral Valve Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Miscellaneous Diseases

Brachycephalic syndrome
Von Willebrand's disease