Veterinarians today are armed with a great deal of knowledge about the genetic risks of disease for purebred dogs. Unfortunately, the risk of developing a genetic disorder for mixed breed dogs is much more difficult to determine. To know a dog’s risk of getting a genetic disorder, a vet must know the breeds of any of the dog’s purebred ancestors. In the past, this was almost impossible to determine.
Mixed breed Dog DNA tests now offer a relatively quick, at home method of determining if a mixed breed dog has a purebred parent of grandparent. Once this information is known, a vet can determine if a mixed breed is at risk of specific genetic disorders.
Skin disorders
Disorders of the skin with an inherited component include:
- Acanthosis nigricans
- Acral lick dermatitis
- Acral mutilation syndrome
- Atopy/allergic inhalant dermatitis
- Bullous pemphigoid
- Canine acne
- Colour dilution alopecia
- Congenital hypotrichosis
- Cutaneous asthenia
- Cutaneous mucinosis
- Dalmatian bronzing syndrome
- Demodicosis/Demodectic mange
- Dermatomyositis and ulcerative dermatosis
- Dermoid sinus
- Ectodermal defect
- Epidermal dysplasia
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Follicular dysplasias
- Fold dermatitis/pyoderma
- Growth hormone responsive dermatosis
- Ichthyosis
- Lethal acrodermatitis
- Lupus erythematosus
- Lymphedema
- Lupoid dermatosis
- Malassezia dermatitis
- Nodular dermatofibrosis (nevi) and renal cystadenocarcinoma
- Pattern baldness
- Pemphigus
- Perianal fistula
- Psoriasiform-lichenoid dermatosis
- Schnauzer comedo syndrome
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Seborrhea
- Vitamin A-responsive dermatosis
- Vitiligo
- Zinc-responsive dermatosis
Urinary and reproductive disorders
Disorders of urinary and reproductive systems with an inherited component include:
- Cryptorchidism
- Disorders of sexual development
- Familial kidney disease Fanconi syndrome
- Nodular dermatofibrosis and renal cystadenocarcinoma
- Urolithiasis (stones)
A quick way to find out more information and to be better equipped for the possibility of one of these conditions is to have your dog’s DNA tested. You can speak to your veterinarian about it. You can also check out our Dog DNA Review for more ideas.