Health Reference
Dog Health Issues by Category
Many hereditary and breed-linked conditions recur across several breeds at once. This page groups the most common ones by category, with links to the specific breeds most often affected — each breed’s own Health page covers prevention and care in full.
Joint & Bone
Hip and elbow dysplasia and related joint conditions show up most often in large, fast-growing breeds, though giant and some mid-sized breeds carry real risk too.
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
A malformation of the joint common in large, fast-growing breeds; hip and elbow certification of breeding parents meaningfully lowers the risk in puppies.
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Long-backed, short-legged breeds face a meaningfully higher risk of spinal disc problems; avoiding jumps from furniture is a key preventive step.
Patellar Luxation
A kneecap that slips out of place, common across small and toy breeds; mild cases often need no treatment.
Heart
A handful of breeds carry a much higher than average risk of specific cardiac conditions, several serious enough to warrant regular cardiac screening starting young.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
A serious heart muscle disease that can progress silently for years; annual cardiac screening is often recommended for at-risk breeds.
Mitral Valve Disease
A heart valve condition that appears earlier and more often in a small number of breeds than in dogs generally; early, regular cardiac exams matter.
Subvalvular / Subaortic Stenosis
A narrowing of blood flow near the heart, detectable via a veterinary cardiac exam; documented across several large breeds.
Eye Conditions
Inherited eye disease ranges from cosmetic eyelid issues to conditions that can lead to blindness — many are identifiable with a DNA test or a routine eye exam before breeding.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
A gradual, inherited deterioration of the retina that can lead to blindness; a DNA test can identify carriers before breeding.
Collie Eye Anomaly
An inherited retinal condition present from birth in affected dogs; a DNA test can identify carriers before breeding.
Entropion & Ectropion
Eyelids that roll inward or outward, common in breeds with loose facial skin; usually corrected with a minor surgical procedure.
Skin & Coat
Dense coats, deep wrinkles, and loose skin folds all trap moisture differently — several breeds need dedicated skin-care routines most owners don’t anticipate.
Skin Fold Dermatitis
Deep facial or body wrinkles can trap moisture and bacteria without regular cleaning, leading to painful skin infections.
Atopic Dermatitis & Allergies
Chronic allergic skin conditions causing itching and recurrent infections, managed through diet and veterinary skin care.
Digestive & Metabolic
Deep-chested breeds face a shared, serious emergency risk in bloat, while several breeds carry distinct hormonal and metabolic quirks worth knowing.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat)
A life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists; deep-chested breeds carry the highest risk, and immediate veterinary care is critical.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid causing weight gain, coat changes, and lethargy; a simple blood panel diagnoses it and it’s managed with daily medication.
Addison’s Disease
A hormonal disorder causing lethargy and digestive upset, sometimes mistaken for other illnesses; managed with daily medication once diagnosed.
Cancer
A small number of breeds carry a documented lifetime cancer risk well above the general dog population — regular checkups and prompt attention to new lumps matter most here.
Elevated Lifetime Cancer Risk
Several breeds show notably higher rates of specific cancers (lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors); many owners of these breeds choose more frequent wellness screening.
Airway & Brachycephalic
Flat-faced breeds share a distinct, significant health profile tied to a shortened skull — worth understanding in full before choosing one of these breeds.
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome
A narrowed airway causing labored breathing, snoring, and heat intolerance; severe cases sometimes require corrective surgery, and heat exercise should always be avoided.
Neurological
Seizure disorders and spinal cord conditions appear more often in a handful of breeds, some tied to specific inherited gene mutations that can now be tested for directly.
Epilepsy
Idiopathic epilepsy causing recurring seizures, usually first appearing between one and five years of age; managed with daily medication once diagnosed.
Degenerative Myelopathy
A progressive spinal cord disease affecting hind-leg coordination later in life; a DNA test can identify carriers before breeding.
Wobbler Syndrome
A spinal cord compression condition affecting the neck, causing an unsteady gait; more common in large and giant breeds and sometimes requiring surgery.
Hereditary Deafness
Congenital deafness is linked in several breeds to the same piebald or merle coat genetics that produce a striking, mostly white coat — BAER hearing testing on puppies identifies it early.
Congenital Deafness
Present from birth in one or both ears in affected puppies; BAER hearing testing identifies it early so owners can adapt training with hand signals from the start.
Blood & Bleeding Disorders
A handful of breeds carry inherited clotting conditions that only tend to surface at surgery — worth testing for well before any procedure is scheduled.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
An inherited bleeding disorder; a simple blood test can identify affected dogs before any surgery is needed.
A Note on Using This Page
This reference groups conditions by how often they appear across multiple breeds — it isn’t exhaustive, and any breed can develop a condition not listed under it here. Always discuss a specific dog’s risk factors and screening options directly with a veterinarian, ideally one familiar with the breed.
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