Details about the disease
LEMP is a neurological disorder that affects the white matter of the central nervous system. The condition usually appears when dogs are young (around one to four years old).
Clinical signs
Slowly worsening problems walking, not walking in a straight line, spontaneous knuckling, dragging of the paws. Dogs may become increasingly immobile over a few months.
How is it inherited?
This disease is described as an autosomal-recessive condition with incomplete penetrance. This means that a dog must inherit two copies of an abnormal gene (one from its mother and one from its father) before its health is affected. With partial penetrance, some dogs may have two copies of the mutation, but may never develop the condition.
LEMP affects the Leonberger and although it is very similar to LEMP2 (found in Rottweilers), it is inherited in a slightly different way.
Which laboratories do we record and publish the results from?
To find out which laboratories The Kennel Club is able to record results from, and which laboratories will send results directly to The Kennel Club, please refer to our website.
Please be aware, The Kennel Club has a set of criteria that we request DNA testing laboratories to meet to enable us to record their results, helping to maintain and protect the integrity of results that appear on a dog’s record. We strongly advise that customers ensure their chosen laboratory is included on our list if they wish The Kennel Club to record and publish the results. Results from laboratories not included on this list will not be recorded.
Breeding advice and what your dog's results mean
If, once your dog is DNA tested, you would like to find out what their DNA test results mean, or how to select the right mate to avoid producing affected puppies, then please read our breeding advice and DNA testing information.
How to find out if a potential mate has been DNA tested
The Kennel Club’s Health Test Results Finder allows you to find the results of DNA tests carried out as part of The Kennel Club's official DNA testing schemes for any dog on The Kennel Club’s Breed Register.