Juvenile Epilepsy in Lagotto Romagnolo Dogs: Causes & Breeding

Juvenile epilepsy is a rare hereditary neurological disorder that appears in Lagotto Romagnolo puppies only, unlike more common epilepsy types that affect adult dogs. Identified mostly in this breed, juvenile epilepsy (JE) poses significant health concerns, requiring responsible breeding to limit its spread within the gene pool.

JE is caused by a mutation in the LGI2 gene and follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, meaning a puppy must receive faulty genes from both parents to be affected. Carriers carry one copy of the gene without showing symptoms themselves but can unknowingly pass it on to their offspring, perpetuating JE's presence.

What is juvenile epilepsy in dogs?

Juvenile epilepsy, also known as Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy (BFJE), typically emerges between 5 to 12 weeks of age in puppies. Symptoms include body tremors, poor coordination, wobbly gait, stiffness, clumsiness, and occasionally even difficulty walking or partial paralysis. Unlike some epilepsies, JE does not usually cause acute seizures but affects the nervous system's coordination functions.

Fortunately, this condition is often described as "benign" because pups frequently recover by four months old, although some may display symptoms longer into adulthood.

Which dogs are at risk of juvenile epilepsy?

While JE is a breed-specific concern for Lagotto Romagnolo puppies, responsible breeders across the UK have worked extensively to control its spread through genetic testing and selective mating. Due to the relatively small gene pool of this breed in the UK, limiting reproduction of carriers and affected dogs is critical for the breed’s long-term health.

How is juvenile epilepsy inherited?

JE follows an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern:

• Two clear parents produce clear litters.
• Two affected parents produce affected litters.
• Two carriers produce litters that are 25% affected, 50% carriers, and 25% clear.
• A carrier bred to a clear dog produces 50% carriers and 50% clear puppies.
• A carrier bred to an affected dog produces 50% affected and 50% carriers.
• A clear dog bred to an affected dog produces all carrier puppies, but none affected.

This genetic inheritance means that breeders must carefully test and manage the mating of their dogs to prevent producing affected puppies.

Health testing for juvenile epilepsy

Before breeding, dogs can be tested for JE using a DNA sample collected by a vet through a blood sample or cheek swab. This genetic test identifies dogs as clear, carrier, or affected. Sharing test results transparently supports responsible breeding choices, reducing JE prevalence.

Breeding and buying puppies responsibly

Reputable Lagotto Romagnolo breeders utilise genetic testing to avoid breeding two carriers together. Carrier dogs may still be useful in breeding when mated only with clear dogs, as long as new puppy buyers are informed of their puppy's possible carrier status.

Potential buyers should always request health screening results from breeders to make informed decisions. Some JE-affected puppies may recover asymptomatically by 4-6 months but can still be carriers and perpetuate the defective gene.

Conclusion

Juvenile epilepsy is a manageable but serious inherited condition confined mainly to Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. Through education, genetic testing, and responsible breeding, the spread of JE can be controlled, protecting future generations and maintaining a healthy gene pool for this lovely breed.

Understanding the condition, its hereditary nature, symptoms, and testing protocols helps breeders and buyers support the breed’s health and wellbeing.