Dog & Cat Breed Disease Predisposition Reference
Highest-frequency breed-related conditions worth screening for in common dog and cat breeds.
Large & giant breeds
| Breed | Common conditions to screen for |
|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | Hip/elbow dysplasia, obesity, hypothyroidism, exercise-induced collapse (EIC), laryngeal paralysis |
| Golden Retriever | Lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, atopic dermatitis |
| German Shepherd | Hip/elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, GDV/bloat, EPI, anal furunculosis |
| Boxer | Cancer (mast cell, lymphoma), DCM, ARVC, brachycephalic syndrome (mild), aortic stenosis |
| Great Dane | GDV, DCM, cervical vertebral malformation (wobblers), hip dysplasia |
| Doberman | DCM (high prevalence), von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism, wobblers |
Small & toy breeds
| Breed | Common conditions to screen for |
|---|---|
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | MMVD (early onset, screen from age 5), syringomyelia, episodic falling |
| Yorkshire Terrier | Portosystemic shunt, hypoglycaemia (toy), tracheal collapse, dental disease |
| Chihuahua | Hydrocephalus, patellar luxation, MMVD, hypoglycaemia, dental crowding |
| Dachshund | IVDD (high prevalence), obesity, Cushing's, PRA |
| Poodle (toy/min) | Patellar luxation, PRA, Cushing's, Addison's, epilepsy |
Brachycephalic breeds
| Breed | Common conditions to screen for |
|---|---|
| French Bulldog | BOAS (most affected), IVDD, atopic dermatitis, hemivertebrae |
| English Bulldog | BOAS, hip dysplasia, dystocia (C-section common), skin fold pyoderma |
| Pug | BOAS, obesity, hemivertebrae, pug dog encephalitis, eye trauma |
| Boston Terrier | BOAS (mild), patellar luxation, cataracts, brachycephalic ocular syndrome |
Not exhaustive - these are the highest-frequency conditions most worth screening for at routine visits. Crossbreeds inherit some risks from each parent breed.
Frequently asked questions
How early should I screen for breed predispositions?
Some screening starts at the first puppy/kitten visit (HCM in Maine Coons via genetic testing; hip scoring in large-breed pups around 12-18 months). Cardiac auscultation should start at every visit for predisposed breeds from day one.
Are mixed-breed dogs at lower risk?
Mixed-breed dogs inherit risk from each parent breed. They typically have lower autosomal-recessive disease prevalence (hybrid vigour) but can still carry breed-specific conditions. Embark / Wisdom Panel genetics can identify ancestry-based risks.
Why is HCM screening different in Maine Coons vs domestic shorthairs?
Maine Coons (and Ragdolls) have a specific autosomal-dominant MYBPC3 mutation associated with HCM that's commercially genetically testable. DSH cats develop HCM idiopathically and require echocardiogram for screening - no genetic test applies.