Yes, it was the bulldog thread.

I've never had a deaf dog or met one so maybe it's easy for me to say.

But if a pup is otherwise perfectly healthy and the right home can be found I still can't understnad someone putting that dog to sleep.
If a home can't be found then I honestly believe it is the breeders responsiblity to look after that dog for the rest of it's life. They bred it so isn't it up to them to put the work in to give it the best life? It's not it's fault it was born like that and is otherwise perfectly ok.

I know situations might not always be as simple as that but doesn't that pup deserve the chance?

I purposely adopt deaf dogs, personally I LOVE them. they are so underestimated. Scout my deaf Terrier mix is absolutely AMAZING!!! she knows 47 signs and is learning at an astounding rate, she was 4 when I adopted her and is coming up on her 6th b-day. Scout's demo's can be seen on You Tube just search "Scout's demo on training deaf dogs".

Most deaf puppies can be avoided. doing a genetic test for the mutation gene on Merle colored dogs, if it's present, dont breed. Dalmatians are estimated to have a 30% deaf rate in the United States (unilaterally and bilaterally) the Dalmatian Club of America's code of ethics states that deaf pups should be euthanized.... which is sooo wrong. they aren't doing anything to prevent deaf puppies, just kill them. there is a way to breed deafness out of the dals, but the club isn't willing to do it.

Those of you with deaf dogs, there is a Yahoo group dedicated to deaf dogs (called you guessed it: Deaf Dogs lol) It's a great group and very helpful. there are thousands of members so whatever issue your having with your deafie, some one else has gone through it!

Oh and I might be getting a little deaf Doxie sent to me from Spokane, Washington. that'll be deaf dog #2 in my house!

I totally agree with the highlighted part. Mind you, I suppose there is a lot to consider. It is a difficult situation but I know, personally, I could never have an animal pts unless it was suffering. I just couldn't do it!

I couldn't put a healthy pup down just because it was deaf, I would either keep it or find a suitable loving home.

It goes without saying it is the breeders responsibility for the rest of the dogs life but that goes for all of the litter and not just the deaf pup.

It is possible to successfully teach hand signals, we do that with our hearing dogs already.

I wouldn't put down an elderly dog either because it was hard of hearing.

Huge difference though, a dog that has known hearing all its life "knows" everything it will need, its teaching the ones that are deaf from birth that can raise the problems.

When we took our pups to socialisation they were taught without saying anything to start with and rewarded for the appropriate behaviour, instead of putting a word to the action it is simple to put a hand signal, the key is teaching the dog to look at you. It is possible to teach a deaf pup, I would think in the long run it would be easier for it to cope than if it had hearing in the first place.

I noticed when Fiji was doing her heel work to music that she was doing what I wanted before I said anything, I tried without saying a word and she knew exactly what I wanted, she was reading my body language.

I can only speak as I find. I have had a deaf Cat from birth, and now have a deaf dog, she is 16 and has been deaf about 6mths. (totally) She still does everything she has always done, she doesnt need to be taught anything. The deaf cat was I imagine a lot different to a deaf dog, as Cats please themselves anyway!!

The issue with dogs is if they put themselves or anyone else in danger, you cant shout to them, if the escape you cant call them back, if they go on the road................

One of our Springers was as deaf as a post before we even realised. He taught himself body and sign language and used our other Springer as his ears. A pup could learn all this but would need to be taught instead of picking it up as it's hearing diminished.

I totally agree, another dog helps them tremendously.

There is a deaf collie on the agility circuit and he is fab.

There is also a deaf cocker that comes to agility training and she is so lovely-she watches for her next hand signal and can now do full courses no problems. I spoke to the girl who owns her and she says she is really good at home(she has 2 other dogs a GD and another cocker) and she follows and learns things from the other dogs, apparently when she shouts 'dinner time' the other cocker will actually nudge the deaf girl so that she follows them in!

Personally I think it depends on the individual case and what quality of life the dog the dog will have, eg how trainable/responsive they are to hand signals etc, whether the right home can be found.