do you think deaf puppies should be put to sleep?

Question

I mean dogs that are born deaf, not ones that get old and go deaf later.

sheisfunky: you wanted to know what made me ask this question.

This is why: I met a Dalmatian breeder. She said deaf puppies are often startled and frightened more easily and often than ones that can hear. Because of this, they do not make good pets for 99% of people and they are not good for breeding. In the wrong hands a deaf puppy can get so nervous that it becomes very aggressive and has a higher tendency to bite than normal dog. She said with all the over breeding of Dalmatians, there were a lot of deaf puppies that were born. Unsuspecting people bought them and the dogs became mean and bit and the owners could not handle them. Now Dalmatians have a bad rap for being mean dogs.

That is what the breeder told me. That is not my opinion so don't yell at me please!!!!

Answer 1

A lot of Dalmatian breeders practice "culling". They will put to sleep any puppies that are deaf, because they believe they won't make good pets.

The truth is; deaf pets are a lot of work. They aren't appropriate around smaller children because it's too easy to startle a deaf puppy. You've got to make a bigger effort to train a deaf puppy, because obviously the standard methods won't work. Deaf dogs have a bad reputation because the owners were not aware that a lot of time and training needs to go into making a deaf dog a good family pet. basically, they aren't for everyone.

The reason some dogs tend to be born deaf is simply bad breeding. The gene that makes some dogs have white in the coat (merle) is the same gene that causes deafness and blindness. Breed two merles together, and you wind up with deaf and/or blind puppies.

I really can't compare a deaf child to a deaf puppy. Quit anthropomorphizing your pets! They aren't human and they never will be. Which do you think is better for a Damatian breeder to do (some Dalmatians are unfortunately born deaf, no matter how good the breeder): sell the poor, deaf puppy to someone who has no clue how to take care of him/her, or humanely put the puppy to sleep? It's a hard choice, and I can't say I'd be able to do it, but I can see why.

Answer 2

We rescued and fostered a puppy that turned out to be deaf. Some miscreant had left the two pups on the shoulder of an elevated part of a freeway with a dog bowl. A man grabbed them off the freeway and brought them to a store where we were. We took one and found a foster for the other. We didn't know the pup was deaf at first but when it's back was to us it didn't respond most times. They can, however, feel vibrations and they can be taught hand commands. We placed the pup with a woman who put time and effort to train the dog and it is one of the best dogs I have known. So to put them to sleep would be like suggesting people should be euthanized because they are blind, deaf, or disabled.
NO! This dog is living proof that it would have been a big mistake to euthanize it!

Answer 3

No I don't...however they are not meant for just any family. Deaf dogs are frightened easily because they don't hear you walking up behind them and this could be a problem if you have small children. Deaf dogs have been known to turn around and snap quickly because of this. They don't mean any harm but are quickly startled and snap in fear. This is why it's best to have a family that is sensitive to a deaf dog needs and understand them better, and would be able to help them have a normal life.

Great question...I gave you a star!

Answer 4

Well, while it's a sad fact, human baby's and dogs do have to be judged by different standards. Regardless, deaf dogs (especially born deaf) will adapt their other senses and will be able to live full and happy lives with the right person. Actually, I think dogs adapt much better than humans to a disability like deafness. It's a good question, and it's nice to be able to discuss this. We had a young dog who went blind, and while we had to have her put down later due to a genetic disease that would have killed her slowly and painfully, even if treated, when she was just blind she was just a little more shy (she was small for her breed, she was afraid of a lot of things) but a deaf puppy can adapt fine to the world, and won't even miss it's hearing, since it was born without it.

Answer 5

No. I have a homozygous merle dog, a 100lb Catahoula. He's bilaterally deaf. Most of what you hear is rumors and myths...not facts. Deaf dogs are really not that different...you simply communicate differently. In fact, I think there are advantages to them.

Myths (also a good site for general info): http://www.deafdogs.org/faq/myths.php

Humor (but many true): http://www.deafdogs.org/faq/humor.php

Yahoo Group (numerous deaf dog owners): http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/deafdogs/?yguid=209784362

Edit: About the "startled/scared" myth, all dogs can feel vibrations. Deaf dogs pay even closer attention to them and body language. You can't sneak up on my dog, he'll feel you coming. If he's at a far distance and sleeping or I want his attention, I tap my foot a few times on the floor. He's NEVER startled, not once. Catahoulas are a difficult breed, if deaf dogs were difficult or dangerous...I'd be in big trouble. I'm not, he's awesome. Lol, I've even been told when he turns one 'watch out', when he turns two 'watch out', when he turns three 'watch out', when he turns four 'watch out', etc...like he's suddenly going to snap. They keep upping the age when they're proven wrong. I know of plenty more who are doing just fine...check out the group link I posted. I know of deaf dogs in sports too...obedience, agility, etc. My dog knew "come", "sit", "down" and "roll over" in days...and at 10 or 11 weeks of age. They're not 'slow'...they simply can't hear sounds. I don't care what anyone thinks, experience talks and bull walks. The only thing I must say, is they're not for the lazy. If they're in the trash (for example), you can't holler, you need to get up. No big deal, that's how it should be.

Answer 6

y should they. so does that mean anything that is different should die. so babies that r born a little smaller or earlier should be given up on. did people give up on Helen Keller because she was deaf and blind. no. that is stupid. y would we take a life from this world because it was born lacking something. cuz if so then that is a stupid reason to give up on lives. there r a lot of dogs that r born deaf that make it really well in this world. or blind that can still function. and just for the record all puppies r born deaf. so ur saying we shouldnt even breed dogs. puppies dont get the ability to hear until they get a little older

Answer 7

No I don't. But if somebody is going to get a deaf animal, they should know how to handle it. A good breeder would never sell a deaf puppy to a family who doesn't have a clue.

Answer 8

If they were otherwise healthy.. I wouldn't put them to sleep.. Obviously spay/neuter, but kill a puppy just because he can't hear? You just find that good home with someone who understands that he is deaf, might have problems in the future and will need more attention, and require more understanding and more work to train and teach.. You wouldn't just dump him off on someone and pretend you didn't know he couldn't hear.. You would make people aware that he had a problem and find a home that would be willing to work with the dog... Give him a chance.

Edit: Regardless, as a breeder, she knows that is true, startling puppies easily.. So while they are young she spends the extra time working with the puppy and desensitizes him to touches when he can't see people coming up behind him etc. Obviously she would also have to watch them like a hawk for hearing problems, as it would be hard to detect in young puppies.. They would learn easily to rely on the others and would pick up cues from them as to how they should act and react.
She would maybe keep the deaf puppy longer, in order to work with him more so that he had a better chance in his life..

Answer 9

Breeders who end up with litters that have deaf dogs are responsible for knowing enough about their breed that they understand how the deafness is inherited and how to explain it to potential buyers. They need to screen potential new owners carefully.

If they don't know enough to know that they need to do that, then they shouldn't be breeding.

Should deaf dogs be put to sleep? No. Should they be spayed/neutered? Absolutely.

Answer 10

No, would you put a deaf human baby to sleep? I didnt think so. Deaf dogs can live a normal healthy life even if they are deaf. They can still be trained like any other dog. Anyone who would do that needs a good kick in the butt.