From Warning Signs to Prevention: Navigating Dog Seizures

9. Are Certain Dog Breeds More Susceptible to Seizures?

The following breeds are more likely to experience seizures: Belgian Tervuren; Shetland sheepdog; beagle; Labrador retriever; golden retriever; keeshond; vizsla; Finnish Spitz; Bernese mountain dog, Irish wolfhound and English springer spaniel. Males are more prone to seizures than females. If the onset of seizures occurs in your dog at an early age, the cause is most likely genetic — epilepsy. Seizures in older dogs are usually caused by illness, such as a brain tumor. In those cases, the prognosis is less optimistic.