Genetic Conditions in Dogs & Breeding Guarantees

Maria Cecilia Martinez- Southernwind GSD

Celebrating Over 50 Years: Southernwind Kennels' Dedication to Breeding, Training, and Educating Puppy Families and Breeders.

As a breeder with over 50 years of experience in German Shepherds, I’ve witnessed firsthand how science continues to evolve in uncovering canine health conditions. Today, while many genetic conditions have reliable tests, others still linger in mystery. These untestable genetic conditions in dogs present ethical and emotional challenges—for both breeders and buyers. Let’s talk about the grey area that exists, how we approach it at Southernwind Kennels, and what you, as a puppy buyer, deserve to know.

Untestable Genetic Conditions & Breeder Responsibility

What Are Untestable Genetic Conditions in Dogs?

Some canine health conditions clearly run in certain bloodlines and populations, yet science cannot fully explain or predict them—at least not yet. Either no direct genetic test exists, or the condition is influenced by too many genes and environmental factors to make testing reliable.

Veterinarian explaining the unavailability of a genetic test to a pet owner and her dog.

These include:

Hip Dysplasia

One of the most misunderstood conditions in large-breed dogs—especially in German Shepherds—is hip dysplasia. Despite popular belief, there is no definitive genetic test for it. Hip dysplasia is a polygenic condition—meaning it is influenced by multiple genes working together, along with environmental factors like diet, growth rate, weight, exercise, and even how puppies are raised in their first months.

While responsible breeders use radiographic evaluations (such as OFA or SV ratings) to screen parents and select for better hips, this is still not a genetic guarantee. Even two excellent-hip parents can sometimes produce a puppy with less-than-ideal hips, due to the complex nature of this trait.

*This is why I always stress: hip scores are a tool, not a promise.

Elbow Dysplasia

Similar to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia also lacks a single genetic test. It is polygenic, multifactorial, and subject to both genetic predisposition and developmental influences. Breeders can select breeding pairs carefully and monitor pedigrees, but complete elimination is impossible without a genetic marker.

Client receiving a Health Certificate

Cancer

This is one of the most complex and misunderstood health topics in dogs.👉 Is cancer hereditary? In some cases, yes—certain types of cancer (like hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma, osteosarcoma) do appear more frequently in specific breeds and bloodlines, suggesting a genetic component or predisposition

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Is there a gene test for cancer? 

Currently, no validated commercial genetic test exists to predict most types of canine cancer. Cancer is typically a multifactorial disease—meaning it can result from a combination of genetic susceptibility, immune function, environmental exposures (toxins, chemicals), and chance.

The challenges of genetic testing: An incomplete solution to identifying all potential conditions in living beings.

Even in dogs with a known family history of cancer, breeders cannot predict with certainty which puppies will or will not develop cancer. What we can do is:

• Avoid breeding dogs with early-onset aggressive cancers

• Monitor bloodlines carefully

• Be transparent with buyers about any known patterns

• Promote healthy living, natural nutrition, and balanced care to support the dog’s immune system

  
  

In summary:

 While certain cancers likely have heritable components, the current state of science does not allow breeders to guarantee cancer-free puppies—or to eliminate cancer risk entirely through genetic testing.

"As much as I wish I could promise it, no breeder can guarantee that a dog will never face cancer. Science has not yet provided us with reliable tests for most forms of canine cancer. What I can promise is that we approach every breeding decision with care, transparency, and a deep respect for the health and future of every puppy we raise."

A responsible breeder showcases the Southernwind Kennels' contract and guarantees, ensuring legal compliance and owner satisfaction with every puppy sale.

Idiopathic Epilepsy

Certain seizure disorders tend to appear more frequently in some bloodlines—but no validated genetic test exists to confirm inheritance. Breeders must rely on pedigree analysis and feedback from puppy families to recognize concerning trends.

Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)

In breeds like the German Shepherd, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is suspected to have a genetic component, but no test can currently predict it. It may not surface until a dog is older, making it even more difficult to trace accurately in breeding programs.

"Digestive issues like EPI and IBD are suspected to have a genetic basis in some bloodlines, but no genetic tests are available. Most puppy diarrhea, however, is caused by environmental factors, parasites, or dietary changes—not by heredity."

Autoimmune Disorders

Conditions such as autoimmune thyroiditis, lupus, or various autoimmune skin conditions are believed to have heritable tendencies. However, without a proven gene to test for, breeders can only rely on careful record-keeping, bloodline study, and feedback from families to avoid problematic pairings.

Allergies and Sensitivities

Allergies (food-related or environmental) frequently have a familial tendency, but no clear genetic marker exists. These are highly influenced by both genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, making it impossible for a breeder to fully predict or guarantee allergy-free dogs.

A happy moment as a new puppy owner receives a health certificate from a certified veterinarian, ensuring the puppy is fit and ready for its new home.

Structural Tendencies & Orthopedic Issues

Some dogs show chronic ligament laxity, early-onset arthritis, or other orthopedic weaknesses that likely have genetic influence but no available test. Like hip and elbow dysplasia, these are observed trends, not certainties.

Is Malabsorption (and Chronic Diarrhea) Hereditary?

Short answer: Sometimes — but not always, and not in a simple, predictable way.

There are many causes of malabsorption and chronic diarrhea in dogs. Some of them are acquired (triggered by infection, parasites, diet, environment), while others have a suspected genetic predisposition—but no clear test or proof.

Here’s a breakdown:

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI):

• This is the clearest example of a malabsorption-related condition with a suspected hereditary basis—especially in German Shepherds.

  
  

• EPI occurs when the pancreas no longer produces enough digestive enzymes, leading to weight loss, diarrhea, and malabsorption.

  
  

• No validated genetic test exists yet—but breeders know it shows up more commonly in certain lines, so responsible breeders track it carefully.

  
  

• This is the closest case to an “inherited malabsorption” issue, though environmental triggers may also influence onset.

  

  Breeder and buyer engage in an informative discussion about responsible puppy care and the parallels with parenting.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):

• IBD can cause chronic diarrhea and malabsorption.

  
  

• There is growing evidence that IBD has a genetic predisposition in some breeds, but again — no test exists to confirm this, and triggers are also environmental (stress, allergens, diet).

  
  

• In German Shepherds and other breeds, breeders can sometimes observe familial trends of sensitive digestion or IBD-like symptoms — but this is not a condition that can be guaranteed against with testing.

  
  

Food Allergies / Intolerances:

• These can cause chronic diarrhea but are usually not strictly inherited in a Mendelian sense.

  
  

• Some breeds and bloodlines are more prone to developing food intolerances, suggesting an underlying genetic component (often linked to immune system tendencies).

  
  

• Again — no genetic test exists, and these are multifactorial problems.

  

  A responsible breeder provides a new puppy owner with a comprehensive contract and guarantees, ensuring peace of mind and a smooth adoption process.

Infectious Causes / Parasites / Environmental Factors:

• The majority of diarrhea cases in young puppies (and sometimes adults) are caused by things that are not genetic at all:

  • Coccidia

  • Giardia

  • Bacterial imbalance

  • Dietary changes

  • Stress

  • Overfeeding

    
    

"Conditions such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have a hereditary component, but no validated genetic test currently exists. Other common causes of chronic diarrhea—such as parasites, infections, stress, or food sensitivities—are not hereditary and depend largely on environmental factors and puppy management."

A dedicated breeder and their German Shepherd exemplify the commitment to providing knowledge, care, and honesty over seeking genetic perfection.

Why This Matters

As you can see, even in today’s high-tech world of DNA testing, we are still working with incomplete knowledge.

This is why responsible breeding is an art as much as it is a science—and why no ethical breeder will ever promise you a puppy 100% free from untestable or complex hereditary conditions.

"Not everything that appears hereditary has a genetic test. Responsible breeders can promise knowledge, care, and honesty—not genetic perfection."

— M. Cecilia Martinez, Southernwind Kennels

At Southernwind Kennels, we follow every known protocol:

• Rigorous screening of breeding pairs

• Deep study of health histories

• Transparent communication with puppy owners

• Removal of lines that show worrisome trends

  
  

Yet I will always remind my clients—nature cannot be fully controlled or guaranteed. What I can guarantee is our commitment to honesty, responsibility, and the well-being of both the puppies and the families who trust us.