Breed Cancer Risk
Breed-specific cancer risk profiles
Certain dog breeds have genetically documented higher risks for specific cancer types. Understanding your breed's profile can help you recognise early warning signs and have more informed conversations with your veterinary team.
Importantly, elevated risk does not mean inevitable. The majority of dogs in every affected breed live long, cancer-free lives. These profiles are intended to support awareness, not to cause alarm.
The information below is drawn from peer-reviewed veterinary oncology literature. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
Breed profiles
Golden Retriever
- Haemangiosarcoma (HSA)
- Lymphoma
- Mast cell tumour (MCT)
Golden Retrievers have one of the highest documented lifetime cancer incidences of any breed — an ongoing area of active research.
Bernese Mountain Dog
- Histiocytic sarcoma
Bernese Mountain Dogs carry the highest documented breed risk for histiocytic sarcoma — a cancer that can progress rapidly once clinical signs appear.
Boxer
- Mast cell tumour (MCT)
- Lymphoma
- Brain tumours
Boxers are over-represented in mast cell tumour studies, though their MCTs tend to be lower-grade more often than in some other breeds.
Flat-Coated Retriever
- Sarcomas (notably histiocytic sarcoma)
Flat-Coated Retrievers have a disproportionately high sarcoma incidence, particularly histiocytic sarcoma, which remains a major breed-health focus.
Rottweiler
- Appendicular osteosarcoma
Rottweilers are significantly over-represented in osteosarcoma of the limbs — early lameness evaluation is important in this breed.
Scottish Terrier
- Urothelial / transitional cell carcinoma (TCC)
Scottish Terriers have the highest documented TCC risk of any breed — approximately 18–20× the baseline rate. Urinary screening may be discussed with your vet.
German Shepherd
- Haemangiosarcoma (HSA)
German Shepherds are over-represented for splenic and cardiac haemangiosarcoma — a cancer that is often advanced at the time of diagnosis.
Great Dane / Irish Wolfhound
- Appendicular osteosarcoma
Giant and large breeds carry elevated osteosarcoma risk, which correlates with body size and long-bone growth rate.
Labrador Retriever
- Mast cell tumour (MCT)
- Lymphoma
Labradors are among the most common breeds seen in oncology practice — partly because of breed popularity, but also because of genuine predispositions to MCT and lymphoma.
Pharmacogenomic note: MDR1 / ABCB1 mutation
Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds, and their crosses may carry the MDR1 (ABCB1) gene mutation. Dogs with this mutation have impaired drug efflux at the blood-brain barrier and other tissues, which significantly affects how certain chemotherapy agents — including vincristine and doxorubicin — are tolerated.
Genotyping is recommended before starting CHOP or any vincristine-containing protocol in these breeds. Dose reductions of 25–50% may be required for MDR1-mutant dogs to avoid severe, potentially life-threatening toxicity.
WSU Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab — MDR1 testingLooking for treatment protocols?
If your pet has already been diagnosed, find their specific cancer type and explore evidence-based treatment options.
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