Some of my puppies were found to be deaf as is their mother (unilaterally) by baer test. I kept a male puppy with the hopes of continuing my line (border collies). He baer tested as bilaterally hearing. I was unaware of his mother's status until I ran into a deaf puppy. The Merle gene is not in my line, just white heads. The vets can not answer my questions so breeders what is your advice? Is there a fix? Are the risks too high? Can your experiences help me?
2006-11-29 08:49:57 · 4 answers · asked by CanUhearme 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If you are really concerned and a good breeder, you would see a professional..maybe someone in genetics beofre breeding. Not a regular vet, but a specialist. At a University hospital most likely. The bit ch should not have been bred without the proper clearances, but at least now you can get information. I would NOT plan on breeding him at this time and seek a professional in the area. Contact people at your parent club...they often have the right information.
2006-11-29 09:20:03 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would depend on the ***** he was bred too. You will have to be very careful and breed out of your lines for some time. I know a breeder who came up with deafness and she has never bred back into her own lines again, every litter an outcross. She is, IMO, one of the best in my breed, and has been outcrossing for many years now.
I am not sure what you mean by white heads, I have never seen a white headed BC. If yours ARE, lack of pigment in the ears could very well be the source of the deafness and you will have to choose a ***** that has little, if any white. There are reasons why some breeds standards fault to much white.
That said, I have friends that breed BCs, but it is not my breed and you should talk to other BC breeders.
2006-11-29 15:19:11 · answer #2 · answered by whpptwmn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if there is the slightest history of deafness in the mates line you can almost count on gettin deaf puppies. Belive me I know of two hearing dog (baer tested bilaterally hearing) who had deaf pups. If there is no history of hearling problems in the mates line you may get away with only producing carriers (which your boy probaly is)
2006-11-29 08:54:35 · answer #3 · answered by ragapple 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would not continue breeding this line. It's not worth the risk, IMO.
2006-11-29 09:03:25 · answer #4 · answered by lickitysplit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋