Is Addison's Disease in Dogs Hereditary? Genetics Explained

Name: Is Addison's Disease in Dogs Hereditary? Genetics Explained
Creator: Dr. Zubair Khalid

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-10-02

Yes, Addison's disease in dogs is hereditary in many cases. The most common form happens when a dog's immune system attacks its own adrenal glands, and that tendency runs in families and breeds [1]. If your dog has been diagnosed, or you own a breed known for the condition, you may be wondering what that means for breeding and future puppies.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

Quick Answer

Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism) is most often caused by an inherited immune attack on the adrenal glands, so genetics play a real role [1].
Breed predisposition is well documented, and a specific genetic variant has been linked to early-onset disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers [2].
No single gene test can tell you whether most dogs will develop the disease. Inheritance is complex and not fully understood.
A dog with Addison's disease can live a good life on lifelong treatment, but affected dogs are generally not bred.
If you are planning a litter in a predisposed breed, talk with your veterinarian about screening and pedigree history before breeding.

What Is Addison's Disease in Dogs?

Addison's disease, also called hypoadrenocorticism, happens when the adrenal glands do not make enough of two hormones: cortisol and aldosterone [3][1]. Cortisol helps the body handle stress, and aldosterone controls sodium and potassium balance.

When these hormones drop too low, a dog can become very sick. The signs often come and go at first, which is one reason the disease can be missed [3]. In severe cases, a dog can go into an Addisonian crisis, which is a life-threatening emergency.

There is also an "atypical" form where only cortisol is low and electrolytes stay normal [1]. This form can be harder to spot because routine blood work may look mostly fine.

Signs Owners Notice

The early signs are vague and easy to blame on other things. They can be present for days, weeks, or even months before a diagnosis is made [3]. Common signs include:

Tiredness and weakness
Vomiting and diarrhea
Not eating well
Weight loss
Increased thirst and urination
Shaking or collapse after stress

Some dogs show signs that look like kidney disease, which can send owners and veterinarians down the wrong path at first [4]. If your dog has repeated bouts of stomach upset plus weakness, Addison's disease belongs on the list of possibilities. You can read more about how this condition is recognized and managed in Addison's Disease in Dogs: Clinical Diagnosis, Treatment & Management.

Causes and Risk Factors

The Immune System Connection

The most common cause of Addison's disease is hereditary. It causes the dog's immune system to destroy the adrenal glands [1]. This is called immune-mediated destruction, and it is the form most owners are dealing with.

Other, less common causes include infection, cancer of the adrenal glands, over-treatment of Cushing's disease, or stopping long-term steroids abruptly [1]. These causes are not inherited.

There is also a rare central form where the problem starts in the brain instead of the adrenal glands. One report described a toy poodle with low cortisol and low ACTH, meaning the pituitary or hypothalamus was not signaling the adrenal glands properly [5]. This type is uncommon and is not the inherited form most people mean.

Breed Predisposition

Addison's disease is uncommon in dogs overall, but some breeds are clearly overrepresented [2]. This breed pattern is one of the strongest clues that genes matter. Breeds commonly associated with the condition include:

Portuguese Water Dogs
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Standard Poodles
Bearded Collies
West Highland White Terriers
Great Danes
Labrador Retrievers

If you own one of these breeds, it does not mean your dog will get sick. It means the odds are higher than in the general dog population. Breed-specific health guides can help you plan screening, such as this one for Portuguese Water Dog Health Problems: Inherited Conditions and Preventive Screenings.

Age, Sex, and Other Patterns

Addison's disease usually starts in young to middle-aged adult dogs, though a wide age range has been reported [3]. Females are affected more often than males [3][1]. Dogs with the typical electrolyte changes tend to be younger at diagnosis than dogs with the atypical form [6].

Is Addison's Disease in Dogs Genetic?

Yes, there is a genetic component, but the picture is complicated. In Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, researchers found a recessive variant in a gene called RESF1 linked to early-onset Addison's disease and multiple autoimmune syndrome [2]. That variant showed 76% penetrance for early-onset disease, meaning most but not all dogs with two copies developed it [2].

That finding is important, but it applies to one breed and one early-onset form. For most breeds, no single test predicts the disease. Inheritance appears to involve multiple genes plus environmental triggers that are not well established in veterinary research.

The Autoimmune Overlap

Addison's disease often travels with other autoimmune conditions. In the toller study, at least 10 of 24 juvenile cases had a second autoimmune disease, which is why researchers described it as a multiple autoimmune syndrome [2]. In another study, 9 of 37 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism had positive thyroglobulin autoantibodies at diagnosis, a marker linked to autoimmune thyroid disease [7].

This overlap matters for breeders and owners. A family history of autoimmune problems is a signal worth sharing with your veterinarian. It also means a dog with Addison's disease may later develop thyroid disease, so monitoring continues over time [7].

Factor	What It Means for Your Dog
Breed	Higher risk in Portuguese Water Dogs, Tollers, Standard Poodles, Bearded Collies, and others [2]
Sex	Females affected more often [3][1]
Age	Usually young to middle-aged adults, wide range reported [3]
Family history	Immune-mediated form is hereditary [1]
Known gene variant	RESF1 variant linked to early-onset disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers [2]
Other autoimmune disease	Raises suspicion for a broader autoimmune syndrome [2][7]

How It Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis starts with history, physical exam, and screening lab work, including a CBC, chemistry panel, and urinalysis [3]. Classic clues include low sodium, high potassium, and changes in kidney values. Some dogs, though, have normal electrolytes, which is the atypical form [1].

Confirmation requires an ACTH stimulation test, which measures how the adrenal glands respond to a hormone signal [3]. This test is the standard, but it depends on the availability and cost of the synthetic hormone, and results can take time [8]. Because of that, veterinarians sometimes use a resting cortisol measurement first, or a predictive model based on signalment and routine lab results, to decide who needs the full test [8].

If your dog is stable, your veterinarian may also check thyroid markers, since autoimmune thyroid disease can occur alongside Addison's disease [7]. For a deeper look at how adrenal disease is sorted out, see Canine Adrenal Gland Disease: Hyperadrenocorticism and Hypoadrenocorticism.

Treatment Options

Treatment replaces the hormones the adrenal glands cannot make. Most dogs need both a glucocorticoid (like prednisone or prednisolone) and a mineralocorticoid (like desoxycorticosterone pivalate or fludrocortisone) [3]. Your veterinarian calculates the exact dose from your dog's weight, electrolytes, and response to treatment. Doses are adjusted over time, so never change them on your own.

A dog in crisis needs emergency care with intravenous fluids and injectable steroids. Once stable, treatment is usually lifelong but highly successful [3]. Some dogs with the atypical form need only a glucocorticoid. In one reported case of central hypoadrenocorticism, prednisolone alone kept the dog stable for over a year without electrolyte problems [5].

You will also need a plan for stress. Dogs on treatment often need extra steroid coverage during illness, surgery, or travel. Ask your veterinarian what to do before those events.

Recovery, Outlook, and Long-Term Management

Most dogs do very well once treatment is steady. The outcome is very good when owners follow the veterinarian's plan for continued treatment and monitoring [1]. Expect regular blood work to check electrolytes and hormone dosing.

Survival varies with the form and the dog. In one large study, dogs with the typical electrolyte changes were diagnosed younger, at a median age of about 5 years, while dogs with the atypical form were diagnosed around 8 years [6]. Juvenile-onset cases in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are a serious exception. Those dogs had a median survival of only 2 years despite appropriate treatment, likely because of the broader autoimmune syndrome [2].

Long-term care is mostly about consistency. Keep medications on schedule, watch for vomiting, weakness, or collapse, and keep follow-up appointments. Glucocorticoid side effects like increased thirst, urination, and appetite are common and can often be managed by adjusting the dose with your veterinarian [6]. For a closer look at crisis care and electrolytes, see Addisons Disease in Dogs: Hypoadrenocorticism Crisis Electrolyte Balance.

Prevention and Breeding Decisions

There is no way to prevent the immune-mediated form of Addison's disease in an individual dog. You cannot vaccinate against it or change a dog's genes. What you can do is manage risk through breeding choices and monitoring.

If you are a breeder, the general rule is not to breed affected dogs. Because the immune-mediated form is hereditary, breeding a dog with Addison's disease can pass that risk to puppies [1]. In breeds with a known variant, such as Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, genetic testing can identify carriers, but the test does not capture every cause of the disease [2].

For most breeds, there is no direct gene test for Addison's disease. Breeders rely on pedigree history, health screening of relatives, and honest reporting of diagnoses. If you own a predisposed breed, a breed-specific screening plan is a practical step, similar to the approach in Old English Sheepdog Health Problems: Inherited Conditions and Preventive Screenings.

If you are buying a puppy from a predisposed breed, ask whether Addison's disease has appeared in the lines. A breeder who tracks this is doing the right thing. There is no guarantee either way, but transparency helps you make a better decision.

Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian

Genetic testing cannot tell you whether most dogs will develop Addison's disease. It can flag risk in a few specific situations, but it is not a crystal ball. Individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your dog, run lab work, and adjust treatment.

Call your veterinarian the same day if your dog has repeated vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or is not eating. Go to an emergency clinic now if your dog collapses, cannot stand, has a slow or weak pulse, or seems to be fading in and out. These can be signs of an Addisonian crisis, which is life-threatening.

Keep routine visits if your dog is already diagnosed. Electrolyte problems and dose changes are easier to catch early than during a crisis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I breed a dog that has Addison's disease?

No, affected dogs should not be bred. The most common form is hereditary and causes the immune system to destroy the adrenal glands, so breeding an affected dog can pass that risk to puppies. Talk with your veterinarian and your breed club before planning any litter in a predisposed breed.

Can genetic testing tell me if my dog will get Addison's disease?

For most dogs, no. A specific variant has been linked to early-onset disease in Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but that finding does not apply to every breed. In general, no single test predicts the disease, and inheritance is not fully understood.

If my dog has Addison's disease, will its littermates get it too?

Not necessarily. Littermates share genes, so they may be at higher risk, but the disease does not develop in every dog with a family history. Watch for vague signs like weakness, vomiting, and poor appetite, and ask your veterinarian about testing if they appear.

Is Addison's disease more common in certain breeds?

Yes. Portuguese Water Dogs, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Bearded Collies, and several other breeds are overrepresented. Being a member of one of these breeds raises the odds but does not mean your dog will get sick.

Can Addison's disease be cured?

No, the immune-mediated form cannot be cured, but it can be managed very well with lifelong hormone replacement. Most dogs return to a normal life with consistent medication and monitoring. Juvenile-onset cases in some breeds have a much poorer outlook, so early diagnosis matters.

References

Addison's disease. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
A variant in RESF1 is associated with Addison's disease and multiple autoimmune syndrome in young Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. Scientific reports, 2026.
Addison Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism) in Animals - Endocrine System. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Addisonian Crisis Mimicking Acute Kidney Injury in Dogs: A Retrospective Study of 34 Dogs Diagnosed with Acute Kidney Injury in Romania. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 2026.
A dog with suspected hypothalamic hypoadrenocorticism classified by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) testing. The Journal of veterinary medical science, 2026.
Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. The Journal of small animal practice, 2025.
Evaluation of thyroglobulin autoantibodies in dogs at the time of diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism and during treatment. The Veterinary record, 2026.
Predicting the likelihood of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs using signalment and routine laboratory results with an ensemble machine learning predictive model. Journal of veterinary internal medicine, 2026.