I became aware recently of a very sad case in which the breeder of a litter of puppies was advised to have three pups euthanased, simply because they were deaf. The breeder duly followed veterinary advice, and only discovered the Deaf Dog Network (DDN) afterwards.
It is too late to save the lives of those poor dogs — but I would love to raise awareness of the DDN among veterinary professionals. The truth is that deaf dogs can live happy, healthy, ‘normal’ lives, and the DDN offers support and practical help to owners, as well as helping find loving, suitable, forever homes for them.
Karen Lawe founded the DDN, after having had a puppy from a deaf mother. In case the pup turned out to be deaf too, Karen taught him hand signals. That pup grew up to be hearing, but Karen went on to develop an interest in deaf dogs, fostering many of them when she discovered how scarce foster homes are for them.
In 2011, Karen founded the DDN which aims to raise awareness of deaf dogs, and educate people about the issue. Alhough it is not a rescue, the organisation supports deaf dogs in rescue centres, helping them to be placed in the right foster environment, and forever home.
Karen stresses that it is important that owners of deaf dogs train their dogs very, very well. Deaf dogs can be trained, and Karen believes that all dogs should be trained the same way you train deaf dogs.
For example, one of the most important things is teaching the dog to check in with you, so that eventually it can be allowed off lead. To do this you start off with a harness and a long line, as you would with any dog you are teaching to recall. You reward any attention the dog gives you, and encourage it to give you attention. Once your dog is regularly looking back at you, and you have got a reliable check in, then you can build up to environmental stimuli cueing the check in.
There are over 80 breeds recognised by the Kennel Club that can suffer with genetic disposed deafness. In addition, many dogs lose hearing with age. Whatever the reason for a dog's deafness, the DDN has resources that can help, and provides a forum for those living with a deaf dog to share their experiences.
Clearly, this is an issue that affects many dogs, but it does not have to affect their quality of life. Deaf dogs may need our help, but Karen maintains they do not need our pity. She says: ‘I have to smile when people go, oh poor thing — no, it is not a poor thing, it is a dog.’
It is vital that all veterinary staff — indeed, all those who offer advice to dog owners in any capacity — are aware that being deaf may require adaptations, but is not a reason to euthanase a dog.