What are inherited genetic diseases?

Inherited genetic diseases are diseases that can be passed from parent to offspring through reproduction. Every dog has two copies of each gene (inherited biological blueprints); one copy from their mother and one from their father. Genes contain the information used to create and maintain cells of the body. Mistakes (known as mutations) that occur in genes can result in disease by disrupting normal processes of creating and maintaining these cells. Nearly every cell in the canine body contains an entire copy of the approximately 20,000 genes that interact with each other to bring about the physical traits that make an individual who they are. Genetic diseases can involve any system of the body and dogs can present with a wide variety of clinical signs depending on the particular gene and organ system involved.