Inheritance of copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers

The mode of transmission of copper toxicosis, previously reported to be associated with progressive hepatic disease in certain Bedlington Terriers, has been studied by means of 5 matings involving affected and unaffected Bedlington Terriers and dogs of different breeds. The abnormally large concentration of hepatic copper underlying the disorder was found to follow an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.