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Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Lifespan
13.2 years
95% CI 12.7 to 13.6 · McMillan 2024, n=643
Most carried variant
Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk
80% of 4,351 tested · Donner 2023
Behind this page
24 dogs
in the atlas · an early sketch · 4,371 tested for variants
Also carried:Degenerative Myelopathy · 53%Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 · 9%

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a cited life expectancy of 13.2 years (McMillan 2024 / VetCompass, n=643, 95% CI 12.7 to 13.6). The most carried tested variant is Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk, in 80% of 4,351 Pembroke Welsh Corgis tested (Donner 2023), then Degenerative Myelopathy (53%) and Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 (9%). 24 dogs stand behind the atlas figures here, so treat this page as an early sketch.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Photo: Dog breed facts · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia

Also known as Corgi, Pem, Pembroke, and PWC.

See in the atlas → From CanVAS
Mendelian-disease genetics

What genetic diseases do Pembroke Welsh Corgis carry?

From a panel of 250 Mendelian-disease variants screened in 1,054,293 dogs (Donner et al. 2023), Pembroke Welsh Corgis carry 17 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.

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk (CDDY)
Autosomal dominant
high 80.4%
n = 4,351 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.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
high 53.3%
n = 4,364 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.

Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 (vWD 1)
Autosomal recessive
low 9.0%
n = 4,371 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001057-9615 · omia.org →
Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 7.0%
n = 4,371 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.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy risk factor (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher; PDK4-related)
Autosomal dominant (Incomplete penetrance)
marker disputed 0.21%
n = 4,371 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.

Cone-Rod Dystrophy (cord1-PRA/crd4)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.15%
n = 4,364 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.

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,363 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.

Stargardt Disease (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
Pathogenic low <0.1%
n = 4,371 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.

Early-Onset Progressive Polyneuropathy (Discovered in the Greyhound)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:002120-9615 · omia.org →
NDRG1what this gene does

NDRG1 is a gene involved in nerve cell function and maintenance, helping keep the nervous system working properly.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry NDRG1 variants, it’s worth discussing with your vet, especially if you notice any mobility issues.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 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.

Cystinuria Type II-A (Discovered in the Australian Cattle Dog)
Autosomal dominant
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001879-9615 · omia.org →
SLC3A1what this gene does

SLC3A1 is a gene that helps transport certain amino acids in the kidneys. It plays a key role in preventing the buildup of cystine, which can form stones.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry SLC3A1 variants, it’s worth discussing cystinuria risks with your vet, especially if urinary issues arise.

MDR1 (Multidrug Resistance 1) Medication Sensitivity
Autosomal dominant
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 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.

Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome (PMDS)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000791-9615 · omia.org →
Dental Hypomineralisation (Discovered in the Border Collie)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,368 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002015-9615 · omia.org →
FAM20Cwhat this gene does

FAM20C is a gene that plays a key role in the mineralization of teeth, helping them develop properly and stay strong.

For your dog: If your dog is from one of these breeds, it's worth mentioning FAM20C to your vet when discussing dental care, but being a carrier doesn't mean your dog will have problems.

Rod-Cone Dysplasia 1a (Discovered in the Sloughi; rcd1a)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,370 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001669-9615 · omia.org →
PDE6Bwhat this gene does

PDE6B is a gene that helps control how the eye processes light signals, crucial for normal vision.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry PDE6B mutations, it's worth discussing vision health with your vet, especially if you notice any changes in sight.

Hypocatalasia
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 4,371 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001138-9615 · omia.org →
CATwhat this gene does

CAT is a gene that helps produce an enzyme called catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide in the body to prevent cell damage.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed that can carry this gene, it’s worth asking your vet about testing. Being a carrier doesn’t mean your dog is affected, but it can inform health decisions.

Primary Lens Luxation (PLL)
Autosomal recessive
Pathogenic low <0.1%
n = 4,371 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000588-9615 · omia.org →
ADAMTS17what this gene does

ADAMTS17 is a gene that influences body size and also plays a role in certain eye conditions. It affects the structure of tissues in the eye and elsewhere in the body.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry ADAMTS17 variants, it’s worth discussing genetic testing and eye exams with your vet to stay ahead of potential issues.

Full ADAMTS17 gene page →
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: 4,371 dogs from the Donner 2023 cohort.
In plain terms

What these results mean for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Chondrodystrophy and disc disease risk (CDDY)

80.4% of Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the Donner 2023 cohort carried it (n=4,351).

  • Two extra copies of a growth gene, FGF4, shape dog legs and spines. The one on chromosome 12 is the one tied to disc disease; the one on chromosome 18 shortens legs.
    OMIA 000157-9615

    “Two FGF4 retrogenes (FGF4L1 on chromosome 18 and FGF4L2 on chromosome 12) have been identified to cause dwarfism across many dog breeds.” OMIA 000157-9615

    “Brown et al. (2017) reported that an FGF4 retrogene insertion in chromosome CFA12” OMIA 000157-9615

  • Carrying it raises risk. It does not say which dog will have a disc problem. In Dachshunds researchers found the test is not a valid risk indicator on its own.
    OMIA 000157-9615

    “the FGF4 retrogene insertion on CFA12 is not a valid risk indicator on its own” OMIA 000157-9615

What to do
Ask your veterinarian what a carrier result changes for your dog. What lowers risk in a carrier is not established in the sources this page draws on.

No test, or a mix
Without a test nobody can say whether a dog carries it. Leg length alone does not tell you: the disc-disease copy and the short-leg copy are different insertions.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM)

53.3% of Pembroke Welsh Corgis in the Donner 2023 cohort carried it (n=4,364).

  • DM is a loss of function in the spinal cord that begins in adulthood and progresses to paralysis of the back legs. There is no treatment that stops it.
    OMIA 000263-9615

    “This is an adult onset degeneration of the spinal cord that progresses to paraplegia and tetraparesis. There is no successful treatment. A genetic test is available.” OMIA 000263-9615

  • Two copies of the SOD1 variant mean at risk, not affected. Some dogs with two copies never show signs.
    OMIA 000263-9615

    “some homozygous mutant dogs had no signs of degenerative myelopathy, which suggests incomplete penetrance or other causative loci” OMIA 000263-9615

  • One copy makes a dog a carrier. In the study that found the variant, every affected dog tested had two copies.
    OMIA 000263-9615

    “All affected dogs tested were homozygous mutant.” OMIA 000263-9615

What to do
A DNA result is not a diagnosis. Take the result, and any change in how the dog walks, to a veterinarian.

No test, or a mix
Without a test nobody can say how many copies a dog has. A breed's carrier frequency describes the breed, not this dog.

Which Mendelian variants matter most for Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

The Mendelian-disease table above lists variants screened across 4,371 Pembrokes (Donner 2023, 194 variants total, 17 at observable carrier frequency). Two matter most by carrier frequency and severity.

Von Willebrand’s Disease, Type 1 (vWD 1)

Von Willebrand’s Disease, Type 1 in Pembrokes is an autosomal-recessive bleeding disorder caused by deficient von Willebrand factor. The carrier frequency is low: 9.0% (n=4,371). Affected dogs, those with two copies, are at risk for prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery. The Donner S4 penetrance data show that clinical bleeding was confirmed in 6 of 33 at-risk dogs tested (max 18%), indicating incomplete penetrance and variable expression.

Testing is available and simple. The breed club recommends screening breeding stock.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)

Exercise-Induced Collapse in Pembrokes is an autosomal-recessive condition with incomplete penetrance caused by a variant in DNM1. Affected dogs may collapse during or shortly after intense exercise, particularly in warm conditions. The carrier frequency is 7.0% (n=4,371). The Donner S4 penetrance data show no phenotype confirmation among the 2 at-risk dogs tested, which means the clinical expression in Pembrokes remains uncertain.

Testing is available. The condition is rare enough in the breed that routine screening of breeding stock is not standard practice.

How should I test my Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

A breed-specific panel is the high-yield path for breeding stock. The essential set covers CDDY (chondrodystrophy/IVDD risk), DM (degenerative myelopathy), vWD1 (von Willebrand’s Disease Type 1), and EIC (exercise-induced collapse). Most commercial CLIA-accredited labs offer these four as a Corgi panel.

What should I feed a Pembroke Welsh Corgi?

Pembroke Welsh Corgis have a metabolism tuned for sustained activity and a morphology that makes weight management critical. The breed’s known vulnerabilities, the near-universal IVDD risk variant at 80.4% carrier frequency and the 53.3% degenerative myelopathy carrier rate, mean that joint health and spinal support start with the food bowl.

Weight management is the single most important feeding decision for a Pembroke. Corgis are food-motivated and small enough that a single extra meal per week can tip them into obesity. Excess weight accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration and may worsen the progression of neurological conditions like DM. The breed standard is 28 to 30 pounds for males and 24 to 28 pounds for females (Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America breed standard, pwcca.org). A Pembroke above that range is carrying load that the breed’s short spine did not evolve to support.

Puppy nutrition matters more for Pembrokes than for dogs with normal leg-to-body proportions. Large-breed puppy formulas are wrong here, Pembrokes are not truly large breeds despite their adult weight. A standard adult formula with controlled calcium (0.8 to 1.2%) and a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio between 1.1:1 and 2:1 (NRC 2006) is appropriate for growth. The goal is steady, moderate growth that does not stress the developing spine and joints.

Adult maintenance should emphasize joint-supporting nutrients. Fish-oil omega-3 supplementation (EPA+DHA 500 to 1,000 mg per day for a 25-pound Pembroke) supports cartilage and may slow disc degeneration. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have mixed evidence in dogs, but breed clubs report owner satisfaction with combined formulations. The conservatively evidence-based approach is a standard adult kibble with visible fish meal or salmon, plus a moderate omega-3 supplement. If a Pembroke shows early signs of IVDD (reluctance to jump, back sensitivity), a vet consultation on weight and supplement strategy is the next step, not a diet brand change.

Grain-free diets are not specifically flagged for Pembrokes, but the same taurine-aware rule applies: if you choose grain-free, confirm the formulation lists taurine content and has undergone AAFCO feeding trials (FDA 2019 DCM advisory, fda.gov/animal-veterinary). Most Pembroke owners find that grain-inclusive, taurine-supplemented kibbles from a manufacturer with a traceable history are the easiest path.

What we don’t know

The relationship between IVDD risk and the CDDY variant in Pembrokes is complex. The genotype is fixed in the breed, the visible phenotype (short legs, long body) is breed-defining, and yet not every Pembroke develops clinical disc disease. We do not know which dogs in the 80.4% carrier pool become symptomatic and which do not, or what environmental and genetic modifiers govern that outcome.

Degenerative myelopathy penetrance in Pembrokes remains incompletely characterized. A Pembroke with two DM-associated variants is at elevated risk, but we do not yet know the age of onset, the rate of progression, or the fraction of at-risk dogs that develop clinical signs. The breed-club health monitoring programs are accumulating this data, but the published baseline is still sparse.

The phenotypic expression of EIC in Pembrokes is uncertain. The Donner penetrance data show zero clinical confirmation among a small at-risk sample, which could mean the variant is rare enough that clinical cases have not yet been captured, or that Pembrokes with the homozygous genotype are simply less prone to the exercise-induced collapse phenotype than other breeds carrying the same variant. Breed-club health monitoring programs tracking clinical outcomes in homozygous dogs would help clarify this question.

Frequently asked questions about Pembroke Welsh Corgis

Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis prone to back problems? Yes. Pembroke Welsh Corgis carry the chondrodystrophy variant (CDDY) at 80.4% frequency, which predisposes them to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). The breed’s short limbs and long body are part of the breed standard but also carry IVDD risk. Signs include reluctance to jump, stiffness, or acute back pain. Early veterinary attention matters.

What is the most common genetic disease in Pembroke Welsh Corgis? Chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease risk, caused by the FGF4 retrogene. 80.4% of Pembrokes carry the variant (Donner 2023, n=4,351). The visible phenotype is breed-defining; the health risk is disc disease.

What is degenerative myelopathy and how common is it in Pembrokes? Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a progressive spinal-cord degeneration that typically causes hind-limb weakness and eventual paralysis in middle or older age. It is autosomal recessive; 53.3% of Pembrokes carry the variant (Donner 2023, n=4,364). Testing is available and recommended for breeding stock.

Should I do a DNA test on my Pembroke Welsh Corgi? For breeding stock, yes. The essential panel covers CDDY (chondrodystrophy/IVDD risk), DM (degenerative myelopathy), vWD1 (von Willebrand’s Disease Type 1), and EIC (exercise-induced collapse). Most CLIA-accredited labs offer a Corgi-specific panel.

How long do Pembroke Welsh Corgis live? Cited life expectancy is 13.2 years (McMillan 2024 / VetCompass, n=643, 95% CI 12.7 to 13.6). Breed-club health surveys report similar figures (Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America health survey, pwcca.org). Weight management and early attention to spinal signs are the most direct ways an owner influences that outcome.

What is the best diet for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi? A standard adult formula with controlled calcium, grain-inclusive, and taurine-supplemented. Weight management is the single most important feeding decision: excess weight accelerates disc degeneration and increases spinal disease risk. Fish-oil omega-3 supplementation (500 to 1,000 mg EPA+DHA daily) supports joint health.

Are Pembroke Welsh Corgis good with kids? Pembrokes are often excellent family dogs. They are sturdy, alert, and affectionate with children. Their small size makes them manageable for families with young kids, though their herding instinct may lead them to nip at heels during play, early training addresses this. Supervision with very young children is always appropriate.

Do Pembroke Welsh Corgis shed a lot? Yes. Pembrokes have a double coat and shed heavily, particularly during seasonal coat blows. Weekly brushing during high-shed periods is standard. Grain-inclusive diets with visible fish oil support coat health, but shedding is a breed-standard trait, not a nutrition problem.

Temperament

What Pembroke Welsh Corgis tend toward

Tendencies from owner surveys of purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgis — 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
Proximity Seekingbreed ~13%
affectionatealoof
Biddabilitybreed ~18%
biddableindependent
Environmental Engagementbreed ~9%
high engagementlow engagement
Arousal Levelbreed ~8%
arousedcomposed
Toy-directed Motor Patternsbreed ~18%
toy-directednot toy-directed
Agonistic Thresholdbreed ~9%
assertivediffident
Dog Sociabilitybreed ~8%
less sociablehighly sociable
n = 33 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi is also recorded as Corgi, Pem, Pembroke, PWC, Welsh Corgi, and Welsh Corgi (Pembroke).

Identified as Pembroke Welsh Corgi (VBO:0200995) in the Vertebrate Breed Ontology (Mullen et al. 2025, CC-BY 4.0) · registry IDs FCI 39 · iDog 179 · VeNom 15126.

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

In the atlas, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi clusters consistently as Pembroke Welsh Corgi (100% of the 24 dogs here). Genetic diversity is high (mean heterozygosity 0.3222), reflecting either a mixed-breed cluster or breeds with broad genetic backgrounds. Dogs here sit in a relatively sparse region of the atlas, fewer close neighbors than typical.

Mean heterozygosity is 0.322, notably high, indicates broad genetic background. Only 24 dogs of this breed in the atlas, modestly sampled.

Genetic dimensions · CanVAS atlas

What the atlas genotypes say about Pembroke Welsh Corgi

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
24Founders
14 from Hayward2016, 10 from Spatola
Genetic diversity
0.32Moderate
Mean heterozygosity across the breed. 36th 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
Single tight cluster
Intra-breed RMS distance: 23.35
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
Close cousins
In the Herding 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
13.2years (life expectancy)
95% CI 12.7–13.6 · VetCompass, McMillan 2024, n=643. 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 = 24 dogs · moderate sample · CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Sniff Atlas
A gift to human medicine

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are a natural model for human disease

Because the same genes cause the same conditions across species, the inherited conditions documented in Pembroke Welsh Corgis 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 Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Beyond the testable carriers above, OMIA's literature catalogue records 15 genetic conditions in the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, 12 of which have a known human equivalent. This is the documented landscape across all Pembroke Welsh Corgis ever studied, not a prediction for any one dog.

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