DEAF DOG AWARENESS WEEK
Deaf Dog Awareness Week is the last full week of every September. It’s estimated there are about 35,000 dogs in the United States who are deaf in both ears. Dogs who are deaf in just one ear are more common, about 120,000.
More than 30 breeds of dogs have a known susceptibility for deafness. Some of those breeds include Australian shepherd, Boston terrier, cocker spaniel, Dalmatian, German shepherd, Jack Russell terrier, Maltese, toy and miniature poodle, and West Highland white terrier.
In most of these dogs, the deafness is hereditary. And for nearly all, it is associated with piebald or merle coat patterns. (Merle is a pattern in a dog’s coat. Merle comes in different colors and patterns. The merle gene creates mottled patches of color in a solid or piebald coat, blue or odd-colored eyes, and can affect skin pigment as well.) So, almost any dog with white in its fur or any “blue” dog is at least more likely to be deaf.
The Deaf Dog Education Fund says, “The most common cause of congenital deafness is pigment-related. If there is unpigmented skin in the inner ear, the nerve endings atrophy and die off in the first few weeks of the puppy’s life, resulting in deafness.” Click here to learn more: https://www.deafdogs.org/faq/
Training
Other than the loss of hearing, deaf dogs behave normally. They make all the regular sounds just like hearing dogs. Dogs who lose their hear or are born deaf, are also fully trainable, social, and eager to please. Trainers give commands using sign language. As with hearing dogs, hand signals are an effective training tool.
Since they cannot hear cars or other dangers approaching, a deaf dog should never be allowed to roam freely outdoors. Owners should provide a secure fenced enclosure instead. In some cases, electronic signaling devices are used to communicate with the dog.
HOW TO OBSERVE #DeafDogAwarenessWeek
Learn more about deaf dogs from the Pet Health Network.
Learn more about rescuing a deaf dog.
Contribute to an organization that cares for deaf dogs.
Follow on social media. Use #DeafAwarenessDogWeek #NationalDeafPetWeek to join the conversation
DEAF DOG AWARENESS WEEK HISTORY
Why is Deaf Dog Awareness Week celebrated this week? It’s because this week is both National Dog Awareness Week and Deaf Awareness Week.