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Posted On Jun 24, 2025

Updated On Dec 02, 2025

Breeds At Risk For Epilepsy

Neurology

This question was asked in a past webinar regarding the Genetics and Heritability of Canine Epilepsy:

Question:

Are Boston Terriers on the list of 17 breeds for the heritability?

Answer by Karen R. Muñana, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Neurology):

No, Boston Terriers are not a breed in which the heritability of epilepsy has been demonstrated. The dogs in which epilepsy has been shown to be heritable are the Australian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain dog, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Dalmatian, English Springer Spaniel, Finnish Spitz, Golder Retriever, Hungarian Viszla, Irish Wolfhound, Italian Spinone, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo, Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, Shetland Sheepdog and Standard Poodle (Hulsmeyer et al. BMC Vet Res 2015).