Epileptic seizures are the most common neurologic problem in the dog. The ability of a clinician to start proper management of these cases does not require elaborate equipment or specialized skills. The purpose of this article is to give clinicians a perspective on how to identify those dogs with a seizure disorder, to classify the type of seizure disorder, understand reasons for the development of the seizure, establish a prioritized differential diagnoses list based on the seizure history and classification, determine which diagnostic tests are most useful in arriving at a definitive diagnosis, and finally, how to develop a rational, long-term therapeutic plan in treating controlled and refractory canine epilepsy.