Deaf does not equal Dumb! ... it equals lovable and fun. And worthy of a good home. by Mary MacNeill, Lisa Martin & Elaine Young (Dalmatian Adoption & Rescue)

If a creature can hear, there is an opportunity for deafness to occur. We, as humans, notice it most often in other humans as well as dogs and cats, as these are the creatures with whom we most often interact. In the canine world, there are a growing number of breeds that can more often produce deaf offspring. Dalmatians have one of the highest incidences of deafness. In fact, it's been estimated that 25-35% of this breed will be deaf. Most people are highly misinformed about deafness and its relation to behaviour and health. Although our article is focused on the Dalmatian, hopefully it will serve to give a general overview of the subject.

Outside of an obvious physical defect, deaf dogs are just normal, everyday dogs. Obviously they have a better excuse for not listening than most dogs, but they sleep on our beds, play with our children and ride in our cars. They go for walks, chase balls, bark at squirrels (yes, a deaf dog barks!) and at the end of the day, they collapse in front of the TV with the rest of the family. They share our lives and are our companions and friends.

A person who has just discovered that their dog is deaf (or is considering the adoption of a deaf dog) will often be faced with negative warnings from ordinary people and misinformed experts. Too many spread horror stories about aggressive, biting, deaf dogs who can't be trusted or trained, and who would eventually break our hearts. The idea that deaf dogs are volatile time bombs is simply not true.

What causes a dog to lose its hearing? Many of the same things that cause hearing loss in humans. Genetic defects can cause a dog to be born deaf (congenital deafness). A dog can also lose its hearing due to an ear infection, injury to the ear, or may experience gradual (or sudden) hearing loss due to old age. Exposure to loud noise can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, as can certain drugs.

Are there any health concerns that accompany congenital deafness in a Dalmatian? No. Deafness is not related to health. It's related to coat colour. Dalmatians are a white-coated dog and the Piebald Spotting Gene that creates the distinctive spotted look is connected with the deafness. Dalmatians are a very intelligent breed, a fact that is demonstrated very clearly in the ability of a deaf Dalmatian to cope with its hearing loss to the point where an observer would not be able to tell that the dog is deaf.

As with humans, hearing impaired dogs rely on their other senses. Deaf dogs are just as easy to train as hearing dogs as they are constantly watching you to see what's happening. Teaching hand signs to a deaf dog is as simple as teaching basic obedience commands to a hearing dog. The main drawback to owning and working with a deaf dog is that you cannot display verbal emotions to the dog. It is very difficult to let them know a situation is "okay" or to tell them not to be afraid of something. Deaf dogs also become bored very quickly, so it is imperative to occupy them with mind-stimulating activities such as tricks, obedience, flyball, tracking, etc. Also, when crate-training a deaf dog, it is very important that the crate is placed where the dog can see a window, door, or other pets. Remember, they can't hear anything. If they also can't see anything, they may end up being very destructive within their crate. One easy way to relate to what they are experiencing is to step outside, cover your ears so you can't hear, and look around. It's a very quiet world, but it doesn't have to be dull.

Working with a deaf dog is very rewarding and teaches you a lot about body language. Although we don't realize it, we rely heavily on body language in life but it's taken for granted in our everyday lives. When you work with a deaf dog, you realize that every movement you make is interpreted by them. By the same token, every movement they make teaches you what they are thinking. Body language is very important in activities such as obedience, flyball and agility, and the opportunity to work with a deaf dog can teach a person far more than years of training with a hearing dog.

Dalmatian Adoption and Rescue is a not for profit organization comprised of volunteers who give their time, ability and homes to help place Dalmatians where they will be well cared for and loved. We receive an average of 300-500 surrender calls each year. Considering that this breed has a deafness index of approximately 30%, you can imagine that there are a lot of deaf Dalmatians needing homes. If you would like more information about our organization or would like to adopt a Dalmatian, please contact us at 905-458-1883 or e-mail dalrescue@hotmail.com (www.dalrescue.org). For more information on any type of deaf dog: www.deafdogs.org