Does anybody know what bloodlines carry epilepsy or where I can possibly find out. My friends 18 month has started to fit over the past few months and they are trying to find which bloodline within his pedigree it could have come from. I have my suspicions, but don't want to name names. Any info would be appreciated.

The trouble with epilepsy is that it seems to be one of those conditions that can "skip" several generations, and crop up 'out of the blue'. I haven't come across a single breed which doesn't have instances of it, and crosses and mongrels have it too.

It is not yet known how epilepsy is inherited.It is not however thought to be a simple recessive trait so it would be difficult to say for certain which lines would be responsible for a dog having epilepsy.I am sorry to hear about your friends dog and hope he can be keep fit free.Gillian

There is a certain dog (many generations back) that is known to be the most common source of epilepsy in GSD's. This dog was used widely at stud & so the problem grew.

As the generations progressed the gene became 'waterred down', however, as many English type GSD's carry this dog in their ancestry, the problem arises when this sire is doubled up on. In fact many dogs of today carry many many lines to this dog, & the inevitable will happen.

To trace your friend's dog's pedigree back to see if these lines occur & for impartial advice you can contact the GSD Breed Council of GB who have contacts that trace pedigrees.

I think the web site is www.gsdbreedcouncil.co.uk

I cannot name names, but most GSD folk are aware of the dog I refer to.

Best of luck.

P.S. I really hope your friend is not contemplating breeding from this dog. also has she advised the breeder?

No she is not considering breeding and the "Breeder" was a friend of a friend of a friend!!!! Who decided to breed their bitch "so she could have a litter before she was spayed"!!!! She is now spayed, but I have read alot about the specific bloodline that I suspect may be the cause on this site. It does not have a good name.

Hi,
Would you like me to have a look at the pedigree and compare it with the information I have?
(Or even just email with your suspicions and I can confirm or deny from the GSD resources I have?)
Sadly the lady who did a lot of the GSD pedigree research for the breed council just died so I'm not sure who is taking over her excellent work.

Hi
Thank you for your kind offer. My friend has actually spoken to someone now regarding the bloodlines in her dogs pedigree and my suspicion along with another have been confirmed to her. It's so sad, as it is the only dog in the litter to have it and he is such a lovely animal.