Dog Genetic Disease Screening and Welfare

How genetic screening reduces inherited disease burden in dogs and improves lifetime welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Over 300 genetic diseases have been identified in purebred dogs from selective breeding
DNA tests for breed-specific diseases allow responsible breeders to avoid producing affected puppies
Progressive retinal atrophy, degenerative myelopathy, and hip dysplasia have genetic tests available in many breeds
Mandatory health testing requirements in breed clubs are inconsistently adopted and enforced
Designer crossbreeds may have lower rates of recessive conditions but can still carry breed-specific risks
Genetic diversity management in breeding programs reduces the concentration of harmful recessive alleles

Welfare Considerations

Genetic disease in dogs causes preventable suffering at significant scale. Dogs with progressive conditions like degenerative myelopathy or progressive retinal atrophy face deteriorating welfare trajectories that responsible breeding can prevent. The science of genetic testing has advanced to make prevention accessible and affordable, but the cultural and regulatory frameworks to require its use in breeding have not kept pace. Breed clubs that mandate health testing and kennel club registration requirements that screen for tested diseases create incentives for responsible breeding that protect future generations of dogs from preventable inherited conditions.

What You Can Do

Purchase or adopt puppies only from breeders who test for all relevant genetic diseases for the breed
Verify health test results through breed health databases before purchasing puppies
Support breed club reform requiring health testing as a registration condition
Advocate for kennel club policies that prioritize health over show conformation in breed standards