OSD3 stands for oculoskeletal dysplasia and refers to a genetic hereditary disease.
It is a malformation of both the eyes (‘oculus’ is Latin for ‘eye’) and the skeleton.
The 3 stands for the third known variant: very similar diseases are also known to affect Labradors and Samoyeds.
In 2012, OSD3 was observed for the first time in the Northern Inuit; to date, only cases within the Northern Inuit are known.
Thanks to the Animal Health Trust, the mutation has been known since 2017, enabling the development of a genetic test.

Affected dogs have various skeletal abnormalities, the most noticeable of which is dwarfism (shortened limbs).
In addition, the retina, the light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eye, is malformed.
This not only leads to visual impairment, but can also cause cataracts or detachment of the retina.
In some places, OSD is therefore also referred to as retinal dysplasia – but it usually refers to the same thing.

Because the number of affected dogs is low, little is known about the long-term effects or effects beyond the symptoms of this disease.
However, it is known that many dogs go blind and develop severe joint problems.

According to the EWA breeding rules, all dogs that have Northern Inuit in their pedigree must be tested for OSD3 or prove that they are clear through their parents.

OSD3 is tested by means of a DNA test (sequencing).
Carriers can only be distinguished from free dogs by means of such a DNA test.
Currently, OSD3 can only be tested by Laboklin, not by Embark. (As of December 2024)

C/C – clear
C/T – healthy carrier
T/T – affected

OSD3 is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, which means that two carriers can produce affected animals.
Therefore, matings of two C/T animals are prohibited.

• Clinical, histopathological and genetic characterisation of oculoskeletal dysplasia in the Northern Inuit Dog
• Appearance of Oculoskeletal Dysplasie affected Northern Inuit Dogs
• Laboklin – Retinale Dysplasie (OSD)