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Labrador Retriever

Lifespan
13.1 years
95% CI 13 to 13.1 · McMillan 2024, n=43,428
Most carried variant
Stargardt Disease
11% of 16,856 tested · Donner 2023
Behind this page
1,610 dogs
in the atlas · 16,856 tested for variants
Also carried:Exercise-Induced Collapse · 11%Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration · 7.2%

Labrador Retrievers have a cited life expectancy of 13.1 years (McMillan 2024 / VetCompass, n=43,428, 95% CI 13 to 13.1). The most carried tested variant is Stargardt Disease, in 11% of 16,856 Labrador Retrievers tested (Donner 2023), then Exercise-Induced Collapse (11%) and Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (7.2%).

Labrador Retriever
Photo: IDS.photos from Tiverton, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia

Also known as Lab and Labrador.

See in the atlas → From CanVAS
Mendelian-disease genetics

What genetic diseases do Labrador Retrievers carry?

From a panel of 250 Mendelian-disease variants screened in 1,054,293 dogs (Donner et al. 2023), Labrador Retrievers carry 48 of them at observable frequency. Carrier frequency is not clinical risk. Most recessive variants require two copies for disease expression; many dominant variants show incomplete penetrance. Read this as a population fingerprint of what's in the gene pool, not a per-dog prediction.

Stargardt Disease (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
Pathogenic moderate 11.2%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002179-9615 · omia.org →
ABCA4what this gene does

ABCA4 is a gene that helps manage the transport of molecules in the retina, the part of the eye responsible for vision.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry ABCA4 variants, it's worth discussing eye health with your vet, especially as they age.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
moderate 10.6%
n = 16,853 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001466-9615 · omia.org →
DNM1what this gene does

DNM1 is a gene that helps nerve cells communicate properly by managing how they send signals during muscle activity.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it's worth discussing EIC with your vet, especially if your dog is very active or shows signs of weakness during exercise.

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)
Autosomal recessive
low 7.2%
n = 16,825 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001298-9615 · omia.org →
PRCDwhat this gene does

PRCD is a gene involved in the health of a dog's retina, the part of the eye that detects light and helps with vision.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry PRCD changes, it's worth discussing eye health and potential genetic testing with your vet.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever; HNPK)
Autosomal recessive
low 2.0%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001373-9615 · omia.org →
Centronuclear Myopathy (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever; HACD1-related; CNM)
Autosomal recessive
low 1.0%
n = 16,849 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001374-9615 · omia.org →
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Golden Retriever; GR_PRA2)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.91%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001984-9615 · omia.org →
Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.85%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001772-9615 · omia.org →
COL11A2what this gene does

COL11A2 is a gene that helps produce a type of collagen important for healthy bones and cartilage.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry COL11A2 variants, it's worth discussing genetic testing with your vet to understand any risks.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.58%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000263-9615 · omia.org →
SOD1what this gene does

SOD1 is a gene that helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier of SOD1 variants, it's worth discussing with your vet, but remember carrier status doesn't mean your dog will get the disease.

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk (CDDY)
Autosomal dominant
low 0.41%
n = 16,758 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000157-9615 · omia.org →
FGF4what this gene does

FGF4 influences leg length by affecting bone growth, leading to shorter legs in certain breeds.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry this gene, it's worth discussing spinal health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t guarantee problems.

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.22%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001928-9615 · omia.org →
Ichthyosis (Discovered in the Golden Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.20%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001588-9615 · omia.org →
PNPLA1what this gene does

PNPLA1 is a gene involved in maintaining the skin's barrier by helping produce essential fats that keep the skin healthy and hydrated.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry PNPLA1 variants and shows persistent dry, flaky skin, it's worth discussing with your vet to understand if genetics might be playing a role.

Cone-Rod Dystrophy (cord1-PRA/crd4)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.18%
n = 16,829 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001432-9615 · omia.org →
RPGRIP1what this gene does

RPGRIP1 is a gene involved in the function of photoreceptor cells in the eye, which help dogs see in different light conditions.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry RPGRIP1 mutations, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand the risks and monitor eye health.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000218-9615 · omia.org →
NHEJ1what this gene does

NHEJ1 is a gene involved in repairing breaks in DNA, helping maintain the integrity of genetic information in cells.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it's worth discussing testing with your vet to understand any potential eye health risks.

Canine Scott Syndrome (CSS)
Autosomal recessive
Pathogenic low <0.1%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001353-9615 · omia.org →
ANO6what this gene does

ANO6 is a gene that helps regulate how blood cells expose certain signals on their surface, which is important for normal blood clotting.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry ANO6 mutations, it’s worth discussing with your vet before any procedures to ensure bleeding risks are managed.

Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001033-9615 · omia.org →
SLC2A9what this gene does

SLC2A9 is a gene that helps regulate uric acid levels in a dog's body. It plays a role in how the kidneys handle this substance.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand any potential urinary health concerns.

Cystinuria Type I-B (SLC7A9 p.A217T)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
marker disputed <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001880-9615 · omia.org →
SLC7A9what this gene does

SLC7A9 is a gene that helps transport certain amino acids in the kidneys. It plays a role in how the body handles cystine, an amino acid that can form crystals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier, it’s worth discussing with your vet to monitor urinary health and catch any issues early.

MDR1 (Multidrug Resistance 1) Medication Sensitivity
Autosomal dominant
low <0.1%
n = 16,853 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001402-9615 · omia.org →
ABCB1what this gene does

ABCB1 is a gene that helps control how certain drugs are processed and cleared from a dog's body.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed that carries this gene variant, ask your vet about medication sensitivities before giving any new drugs.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy risk factor (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher; PDK4-related)
Autosomal dominant (Incomplete penetrance)
marker disputed <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000162-9615 · omia.org →
PDK4what this gene does

PDK4 helps regulate how cells use energy, especially in the heart muscle.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene, it’s worth discussing heart health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t mean your dog will develop disease.

Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 (vWD 1)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001057-9615 · omia.org →
Narcolepsy (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000703-9615 · omia.org →
Show the other 28, ordered after these by severity, then carrier frequency.
Cystinuria Type I-A (SLC3A1 p.I192V) <0.1% n = 16,856
Factor VII Deficiency <0.1% n = 16,855
Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Discovered in the Schnauzer; DCM) <0.1% n = 16,856
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Golden Retriever; GR_PRA1) <0.1% n = 16,855
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 4A (Discovered in the American Staffordshire Terrier; NCL4A) <0.1% n = 16,854
Primary Lens Luxation (PLL) <0.1% n = 16,856
Musladin-Lueke syndrome (MLS) <0.1% n = 16,843
Protein Losing Nephropathy (PLN; NPHS1-related) <0.1% n = 16,855
Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS) <0.1% n = 16,856
Familial Nephropathy (Discovered in the English Cocker Spaniel; FN) <0.1% n = 16,856
Ichthyosis (Discovered in the American Bulldog; NIPAL4-related) <0.1% n = 16,856
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Shetland Sheepdog; CNGA1-PRA) <0.1% n = 16,076
Deafness and Vestibular Dysfunction (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher) <0.1% n = 16,850
Hypomyelination (Discovered in the Weimaraner) <0.1% n = 16,854
Canine Multifocal Retinopathy 1 (Discovered in Mastiff-related breeds; CMR1) <0.1% n = 16,855
Chondrodysplasia, Disproportionate Short-limbed (Discovered in the Norwegian Elkhound; ITGA10-related) <0.1% n = 16,855
Complement 3 (C3) Deficiency <0.1% n = 16,856
Cone Degeneration (Discovered in the Alaskan Malamute) <0.1% n = 16,856
Cystinuria Type II-A (Discovered in the Australian Cattle Dog) <0.1% n = 16,856
Deafness and Vestibular Dysfunction (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher; PTPRQ-related) <0.1% n = 16,856
Hypocatalasia <0.1% n = 16,856
Macrothrombocytopenia (Discovered in the Norfolk and Cairn Terrier) <0.1% n = 16,856
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (Discovered in the Rottweiler; VPS11-related) <0.1% n = 16,856
Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis 5 (Discovered in the Border Collie; NCL5) <0.1% n = 16,856
Pituitary-Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism (Discovered in Poodles) <0.1% n = 16,856
Polycystic Kidney Disease (Discovered in the Bull Terrier) <0.1% n = 16,856
Rod-Cone Dysplasia 1 (Discovered in the Irish Setter; rcd1) <0.1% n = 16,856
Shar-Pei Autoinflammatory Disease (SPAID) <0.1% n = 16,856
Source: Donner J et al. 2023. Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651 · Evidence: Limited (DTC ascertainment, tag-SNP proxy) · Confounding MEDIUM · License CC-BY-4.0 · Phene IDs from OMIA (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).
Sample size in this breed: 16,856 dogs from the Donner 2023 cohort.

Which Mendelian variants matter most for Labrador Retrievers?

The Mendelian-disease table above lists variants screened in 16,856 Labrador Retrievers (Donner 2023). Five matter most by carrier frequency and impact.

Stargardt Disease

Stargardt Disease in Labradors is a recessive retinal degeneration caused by a variant discovered in the breed. Affected dogs lose central vision progressively, starting in early adulthood. Vision loss is irreversible and limits the dog’s ability to navigate unfamiliar environments. About 11.2% of Labradors in the Donner cohort carry the variant (n=16,856). More than one in nine.

What share of dogs with two copies go on to lose vision has not been measured in a large group yet: the Donner cohort followed one such dog, and it was affected (1 of 1), which is too few to give a rate. Testing is widely available through commercial DNA labs and breed-specific panels. Testing before breeding is standard practice in responsible Labrador lines.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)

Exercise-Induced Collapse in Labradors is a recessive neuromuscular condition that emerges during intense activity. Affected dogs lose hind-limb coordination and collapse during or shortly after sustained exercise. They recover within minutes to hours. The trait is disabling for working dogs and limits athletic activity. About 10.6% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,853).

The registry lists EIC as recessive with incomplete penetrance, meaning not every dog with two copies collapses. What share do has not been measured here: the Donner cohort had two dogs with two copies and confirmed collapse in neither (0 of 2), too few to give a rate. Testing is available and widely used in field-trial and hunting lines.

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration in Labradors is a recessive form of progressive retinal atrophy. The disease causes gradual vision loss starting with night blindness and progressing to complete blindness by middle age. About 7.2% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,825). Testing is available and is often included on multi-disease panels.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK)

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis in Labradors is a recessive condition discovered in the breed. Affected dogs develop buildup of keratin on the nasal planum, which can crack, bleed, and become infected. The condition is chronic but manageable with topical treatment and nose protection. About 2.0% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,856).

How often dogs with two copies show signs has not been measured yet: the Donner cohort followed one such dog (0 of 1 confirmed), too few to give a rate. Testing is available.

How should I test my Labrador Retriever?

A breed-specific panel from a CLIA-accredited lab is the high-yield path. The minimum useful set for Labradors is Stargardt Disease (ABCA4), EIC (DNM1), prcd-PRA, HNPK, CNM, and DM. Carrier testing before breeding is the standard practice in responsible breeding lines.

What should I feed a Labrador Retriever?

Feeding a Labrador well means feeding around the breed’s known genetic vulnerabilities and the metabolic traits that define the breed. Labradors were selected for water-retrieval endurance and food motivation remains their signature. That same drive makes weight management the single most consequential feeding decision an owner makes.

Labradors gain weight faster than most breeds and obesity is the most common Labrador health failure. The breed’s appetite regulation is genuinely different from other large breeds. A Labrador fed free-choice will become overweight within months. Portion control and meal-feeding (twice daily, measured kibble) are not optional. The OFA reports that overweight status is a significant risk factor for hip dysplasia; hip dysplasia is present in 4.2% of Labradors across 28,652 OFA evaluations (ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/). Excess weight accelerates joint wear and reduces lifespan.

Large-breed puppy formulations with controlled calcium matter during the growth phase. Labradors reach 55 to 80 pounds at adulthood. The growth rate is rapid enough that calcium-to-phosphorus ratios between 1.1:1 and 2:1 are essential to avoid developmental orthopedic disease. NRC 2006 (Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, National Academies Press) recommends 0.8 to 1.6 grams of calcium per 1,000 kilocalories for growing large-breed dogs. Once the dog is at adult height (typically 12 to 14 months), transition to a maintenance formula and strictly meter portions.

Taurine supplementation is sensible. Grain-free and pulse-heavy diets remain under FDA scrutiny (FDA 2019 DCM advisory); Labradors have not been flagged as a breed with elevated DCM signal, but the controversy applies across large breeds. A grain-inclusive adult formula from a manufacturer that performs AAFCO feeding trials is the conservative default. If you choose a novel-protein or limited-ingredient diet, verify the taurine content on the label or confirm supplementation with the manufacturer.

What we don’t know

The mechanism behind Exercise-Induced Collapse remains incompletely characterized. The variant is well-mapped, and the registry lists it with incomplete penetrance, but nobody has yet measured what share of dogs with two copies collapse: the Donner cohort had two such dogs, too few to give a rate. Which genetic, environmental, or conditioning factors tip a homozygous dog into symptomatic collapse is not yet documented.

Stargardt Disease in Labradors is a recent discovery. Long-term prognosis, age of onset variability, and whether any dietary intervention slows progression have not been systematically studied in the breed. Veterinary ophthalmologists have limited data on typical progression rates.

The breed’s broad carrier burden across multiple retinal variants (Stargardt at 11.2%, prcd-PRA at 7.2%, GR-PRA2 at 0.91%) suggests high historical inbreeding around vision genes. The selective pressure that fixed these variants is not documented.

Frequently asked questions about Labrador Retrievers

What is the most common genetic disease in Labrador Retrievers? Stargardt Disease, caused by a variant in ABCA4. 11.2% of Labradors carry one copy (Donner 2023, n=16,856). It is recessive, so a dog needs two copies to be affected.

Are Labrador Retrievers prone to hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is present in 4.2% of Labradors evaluated by the OFA across 28,652 evaluations (ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/). This is moderate prevalence. Weight management during growth and maintenance is the most effective preventive strategy.

What is Exercise-Induced Collapse? EIC is a neuromuscular condition that causes temporary hind-limb paralysis during intense exercise. Dogs recover within minutes to hours. About 10.6% of Labradors carry the variant (Donner 2023, n=16,853). Testing is available and recommended for field-trial and hunting lines.

Should I do a DNA test on my Labrador Retriever? For breeding stock, yes. A panel covering Stargardt Disease, EIC, prcd-PRA, and other top variants is standard practice in responsible breeding programs. For pet dogs, testing can clarify risk for vision loss and collapse.

How long do Labrador Retrievers typically live? The atlas median is 13.1 years. Lifespan varies with individual genetics, diet, weight, and exercise. Maintaining lean body condition and regular veterinary screening are the strongest owner-controlled factors for longevity.

What is the best diet for a Labrador Retriever? A measured-portion, grain-inclusive large-breed formulation with controlled calcium and taurine supplementation. Free-choice feeding is almost certain to result in obesity. Meal-feed twice daily with portions adjusted to keep the dog at lean body condition.

Are Labrador Retrievers good family dogs? Yes. Labradors are widely used as family companions and service dogs. Their retrieving drive and food motivation make them highly trainable. They require regular exercise and mental enrichment.

Can Labrador Retrievers handle hot weather? Labradors have dense double coats and moderate heat tolerance. Exercise during peak heat should be limited. Provide shade, fresh water, and air-conditioned rest areas. The breed’s thickness makes them more prone to overheating than short-coated breeds.

Temperament

What Labrador Retrievers tend toward

Tendencies from owner surveys of purebred Labrador Retrievers — a leaning across the breed, not a prediction for any one dog. A bar’s strength shows how much of that behavior breed actually explains: for most it’s faint, because the rest is your dog, their training, and the life you give them.

Human Sociabilitybreed ~11%
less sociablehighly sociable
Toy-directed Motor Patternsbreed ~18%
toy-directednot toy-directed
Biddabilitybreed ~18%
biddableindependent
Agonistic Thresholdbreed ~9%
assertivediffident
Dog Sociabilitybreed ~8%
less sociablehighly sociable
Arousal Levelbreed ~8%
arousedcomposed
Proximity Seekingbreed ~13%
affectionatealoof
Environmental Engagementbreed ~9%
high engagementlow engagement
n = 255 dogs · Morrill et al. 2022, Science, Darwin's Ark (CC0)
Owner-reported purebreds; each factor n ≥ 25. "Breed ~%" is the share of this behavior explained by breed.
Names & origins

Other names

The Labrador Retriever is also recorded as Lab and Labrador.

Identified as Labrador Retriever (VBO:0200800) in the Vertebrate Breed Ontology (Mullen et al. 2025, CC-BY 4.0) · registry IDs FCI 122 · iDog 147 · VeNom 14631.

For researchers Population genetics, disease models and every recorded condition Open the research detail for the Labrador Retriever
What the atlas says about Labrador Retriever

In the atlas, the Labrador Retriever clusters consistently as Labrador Retriever (100% of the 1610 dogs here).

Low breed predictability score (0.10), individual dogs of this breed vary widely in genetics, suggesting active substructure or sub-population diversity. Well-sampled in CanVAS: 1,610 dogs.

Median lifespan is 13.1 years, slightly longer than expected for the breed size (30.5 kg).

Genetic dimensions · CanVAS atlas

What the atlas genotypes say about Labrador Retriever

Computed from the 14,478 CanVAS dogs in the Atlas, on an imputed genotype backbone: 77,215 directly typed sites per dog, imputed to 9.67 million variants.

The confidence below counts dogs, not reads: it is the size of the sample, and it is separate from how the genotypes were measured.

Dogs in the Atlas
1,610Founders
726 from Wiener, 635 from Hayward2016, 126 from Momozawa
Genetic diversity
0.32Moderate
Mean heterozygosity across the breed. 42nd most diverse of 107 ranked populations.
What does genetic diversity mean?

How varied a breed's gene pool is — the share of gene spots where a typical dog of the breed carries two different versions rather than two identical ones.

How to read it: Higher = more diverse. Among well-sampled breeds it ranges roughly 0.22 (least diverse) to 0.33 (most diverse).

Diversity is a strength, not a verdict on any individual dog. Lower diversity means it's worth paying attention to recessive-risk testing — not that a dog is doomed.

Cluster structure
Splits into two genetic sub-populations
Intra-breed RMS distance: 59.87 · likely working/show-line, regional, or kennel lineage split.
What does within-breed variation mean?

How much individual dogs within the breed differ from each other genetically.

How to read it: Higher = more internal variety among individuals of the breed.

Sensitive to how many dogs of the breed we've sampled.

Related breeds
Built from
Close cousins
In the Sporting group
Explore the full lineage map →
VBO foundation stock (breeding records) · AKC breed group
Relatedness is documented lineage + kennel family. Genetic-ancestry distance measures diversity, not kinship, so it isn't used here.
How long they live
13.1years (life expectancy)
95% CI 13–13.1 · VetCompass, McMillan 2024, n=43,428. source
What does typical lifespan mean?

The median age dogs of the breed tend to reach.

How to read it: Higher = longer-lived. Compare to longevity-for-size to see whether it's just a size effect.

Drawn from population lifespan records; individual dogs vary widely with care, genetics, and luck.

n = 1,610 dogs · high sample · CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Sniff Atlas
A gift to human medicine

Labrador Retrievers are a natural model for human disease

Because the same genes cause the same conditions across species, the inherited conditions documented in Labrador Retrievers help researchers understand, and work toward treating, the human diseases they model. This is the dog advancing human medicine. The breed models the human disease; it does not have it, and this is not a prediction for your dog.

Human equivalents via OMIA → Mondo / OMIM. Model-of, not identity. The named gene is the canine locus, not a claim that a pet has the human disease.
Documented in OMIA

Every condition recorded in the Labrador Retriever

Beyond the testable carriers above, OMIA's literature catalogue records 62 genetic conditions in the Labrador Retriever, 47 of which have a known human equivalent. This is the documented landscape across all Labrador Retrievers ever studied, not a prediction for any one dog.

Plus 44 more conditions recorded in the Labrador Retriever in OMIA.

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA); Nicholas, Tammen & Sydney Informatics Hub, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70
Documented in the breed's literature is not carrier status and not a forecast for an individual dog. Human equivalents are mapped via Mondo/OMIM. Carrier frequencies (above) are the separately-measured testable subset (Donner 2023).
The data behind this page

Where every number on this page came from.

This page draws on three primary data sources. Carrier frequencies for the Mendelian section come from Donner et al. 2023 (CC-BY-4.0). We grade these data at evidence Limited because the cohort is a direct-to-consumer ascertainment, which biases toward owners who chose to test their dogs. The panel also uses tag-SNP proxies for some variants rather than direct causal-variant assays. Limited is a study-design grade, not a quality grade: the Donner cohort is the largest open canine-genotype dataset in existence and we are grateful for it. We rate the confounding MEDIUM.

Population-genetic dimensions (heterozygosity, intra-breed PCA distance, nearest neighbors, trait-locus frequencies) come from CanVAS (Brundage 2026), harmonized through the Sniff Atlas. The exact release date and verification commit are pinned at the bottom of the page so a researcher can trace a number back to a specific snapshot. The disease-gene-variant graph comes from OMIA (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals; Nicholas, Tammen, and the Sydney Informatics Hub at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; retrieved April 2026, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).

What this page does not yet have. Inheritance modes and per-disease penetrance evidence from Donner 2023 are in the structured data for every variant the panel covers. Mondo, OMIM, Ensembl, and HGNC cross-references live on the gene and disease pages this page links to, rather than being repeated here. What is still absent from this breed page is anything not in the cited panel, and each such gap carries its cause where it appears.

How to cite this page. The computed dimensions on this page are derived from the open Sniff Atlas v1.0.1 (Gehring 2026, doi:10.5281/zenodo.20566358, CC-BY 4.0). Full citation formats including BibTeX, RIS, and CITATION.cff at sniff.world/cite.

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References
  1. Donner J, Freyer J, Davison S, Anderson H, Blades M, Honkanen L, et al. (2023). Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1010651
  2. Brundage DM (2026). CanVAS: A Harmonized and Imputed Canine Variant Atlas. bioRxiv. doi:10.64898/2026.04.13.718238
  3. Nicholas, F.W., Tammen, I., & Sydney Informatics Hub. (2026). Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) [dataset]. The University of Sydney. https://omia.org. doi:10.25910/2AMR-PV70 (retrieved April 2026).
Last updated
Sources: CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Donner 2023 · OMIA