Which dog breeds are more likely to have epilepsy?
The best-documented breeds are those in the table below. For each one there is at least one published study showing a higher frequency of idiopathic epilepsy (epilepsy with no identifiable cause in the brain or elsewhere in the body, where a genetic origin is suspected) or particular features of the disease.
For comparison: in the general dog population, the frequency of epilepsy is estimated at roughly 0.6-0.75%, and a study of dogs seen at veterinary practices in the UK found 0.62%. The IVETF consensus regards a frequency above 2% within a breed as pointing to a genetic influence.
Table: breed, what has been documented, source
| Breed | What has been documented | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian Shepherd (Tervueren, Groenendael) | Frequency of 9.5% in Denmark; 33% in one large family. Average age at onset: 3.3 years. Mostly focal seizures, which can become generalised. | Berendt 2008, 2009, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Border Collie | Among the breeds most often affected in UK studies. Median age at onset: 2.5 years. Cluster seizures in 45% of the dogs studied; the disease is often severe. | Hülsmeyer 2010, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Australian Shepherd | Median age at onset: 2.5 years. Poor response to treatment (at least one day with seizures a month) in 56% of the dogs studied. | Weissl 2012, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Labrador Retriever | Frequency of 3.1% in Denmark. Average age at onset: around 2.5-3 years. | Berendt 2002, Jaggy 1998, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Golden Retriever | Frequency of 3.9% in a Swedish study; 48% of affected dogs had cluster seizures. Average age at onset: around 2 years. | Winnerby 2026; Srenk 1994, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Border Terrier | Frequency of 13.1% in a population in Germany; 2.7 times the odds of crossbreeds in the UK. Mild course in 70% of dogs. | Kloene 2008; Kearsley-Fleet 2013 |
| Italian Spinone | Frequency of 5.3% in the UK. Average age at onset: 38 months. | De Risio 2015, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Lagotto Romagnolo | Benign juvenile epilepsy: onset at around 6 weeks of age, with seizures usually stopping on their own by 8-13 weeks. Genetic cause identified (the LGI2 gene); a genetic test is available. | Jokinen 2007, Seppälä 2011, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Finnish Spitz | Frequency of 5.4% in Finland. Median age at onset: 3 years. Mostly focal seizures. | Viitmaa 2013, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen | Frequency of 8.9% in Denmark. Median age at onset: 2 years. | Gulløv 2011, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| Irish Wolfhound | Frequency of 18.3% in a US population; in 73% of dogs the first seizure occurred by 3 years of age. | Casal 2006, cited in Hülsmeyer 2015 |
| German Shepherd | 1.9 times the odds of crossbreeds in the UK. | Kearsley-Fleet 2013 |
| Hungarian Vizsla, Standard Poodle, Dalmatian, English Springer Spaniel | Breed studies describing idiopathic epilepsy; median age at onset between 2.4 and 3.7 years. | Hülsmeyer 2015 (Table 1) |
The figures come from different studies, in different countries, using different definitions of epilepsy. Do not compare them directly with one another, and do not read them as a ranking. The authors of the IVETF consensus note that the same breed can look different in populations from different countries.
At what age does idiopathic epilepsy start?
Usually between 6 months and 6 years of age. This is the age range the IVETF consensus uses as one of the criteria for diagnosing idiopathic epilepsy. In the table above, the average age at the first seizure is between roughly 2 and 4 years in most breeds.
If the first seizure happens before 6 months or after 6 years of age, another cause becomes more likely, such as a disease of the brain, a malformation or a metabolic disease. In these cases the consensus recommends further investigations, including an MRI of the brain and analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. You can read more about this process in the article on causes of seizures and diagnosis.
My dog is from a predisposed breed. What does that mean for me?
It means knowing what a seizure looks like and what to do if one happens, not expecting one. Most dogs of these breeds never develop epilepsy.
- Learn the signs, including focal seizures, which can be subtle: twitching of the face, staring, drooling, odd behaviour. See types of epileptic seizures.
- If an episode happens, film it and note how long it lasts.
- The breed is not a diagnosis. A dog from a predisposed breed can also have seizures for other reasons, which need to be ruled out with tests and a neurological examination.
- In Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, studies more often describe cluster seizures and forms that are hard to control. Prompt assessment and treatment matter.
A neurological consultation tells you where the problem comes from and what to do next.
What does this mean for breeders?
As the IVETF consensus stresses, a correct diagnosis has a direct bearing on breeding decisions, not just on treatment. For breeders this has a few practical consequences:
- For most breeds there is not yet a genetic test, because the genes involved have not been identified. The inheritance seems to be complex, involving several genes as well as environmental factors.
- Epileptic dogs concentrated in certain lines can push the frequency up considerably: in the Belgian Shepherd, one large family reached 33%, compared with 9.5% in the breed as a whole.
- In the Lagotto Romagnolo there is a genetic test for the benign juvenile form. In a study across three countries, 32% of the dogs tested were carriers.
- A properly made diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, with other causes ruled out, is the information you can discuss with the breed club and with your vet before a mating.
If you have a dog from a predisposed breed that has already had seizures, an epilepsy consultation will clarify the diagnosis and the next steps. For an overview of the disease, read epilepsy in dogs.
Frequently asked questions
Can crossbreeds get epilepsy?
Yes. Idiopathic epilepsy affects both pedigree dogs and crossbreeds. The predisposed breeds simply show where the risk has been measured as higher.
If my dog’s breed is not in the table, does that mean it is not at risk?
No. Many breeds have never been studied. A breed missing from the table means missing data, not missing risk.
Is there a genetic test for epilepsy in dogs?
For most breeds, no, because the mutations responsible have not yet been identified. A well-known exception is benign juvenile epilepsy in the Lagotto Romagnolo, for which there is a genetic test.
At what age does epilepsy start in predisposed dogs?
In most of the breeds studied, the average age at the first seizure is between 2 and 4 years. The exception is the Lagotto Romagnolo, where the juvenile form appears at around 6 weeks of age.
Sources
- Hülsmeyer V.-I. et al. 2015, International Veterinary Epilepsy Task Force's current understanding of idiopathic epilepsy of genetic or suspected genetic origin in purebred dogs, BMC Veterinary Research 11:175
- De Risio L. et al. 2015, International veterinary epilepsy task force consensus proposal: diagnostic approach to epilepsy in dogs, BMC Veterinary Research 11:148
- Kearsley-Fleet L. et al. 2013, Prevalence and risk factors for canine epilepsy of unknown origin in the UK, Veterinary Record 172:338
- Winnerby M. et al. 2026, Prevalence and potential risk factors associated with idiopathic epilepsy in Golden Retrievers, Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
This article is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.