Breeds Prone to Deafness
Congenital deafness is a hereditary condition associated with certain coat colors and patterns, particularly white coats, merle patterns, and piebald coloring. It can affect one or both ears and is common in breeds like Dalmatians, Australian Cattle Dogs, and white-coated cats.
Symptoms
Failure to respond to sounds, excessive barking, difficulty waking, startling when touched unexpectedly, and in puppies, not responding to their mother or littermates vocalizations.
Prevention & Management
BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing identifies deaf animals. Responsible breeding practices avoid mating two merle dogs or two predominantly white animals. Deaf pets can live full lives with visual cue training.
18 Breeds Prone to Deafness
17 dog breeds and 1 cat breed
Australian Cattle Dog
Dog · Medium · Australia
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Deafness, Eye Conditions, Elbow Dysplasia
Border Collie
Dog · Medium · Scotland/England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Epilepsy, Collie Eye Anomaly, Deafness
Boston Terrier
Dog · Small · United States
Health risks: Brachycephalic Syndrome, Eye Problems, Luxating Patella, Deafness
Bull Terrier
Dog · Medium · England
Health risks: Deafness, Heart Disease, Kidney Problems, Skin Allergies
Catahoula Leopard Dog
Dog · Large · United States
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Deafness, Eye Conditions
Dalmatian
Dog · Large · Croatia
Health risks: Deafness, Urinary Stones, Skin Allergies, Hip Dysplasia
Dogo Argentino
Dog · Large · Argentina
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Deafness, Hypothyroidism, Laryngeal Paralysis
English Setter
Dog · Large · England
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Deafness, Elbow Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism
Havanese
Dog · Small · Cuba
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Deafness
Jack Russell Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Deafness, Eye Conditions, Legg-Calve-Perthes
Khao Manee
Cat · Medium · Thailand
Health risks: Deafness, Generally healthy
Miniature Bull Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Deafness, Eye Conditions, Heart Disease, Kidney Problems
Parson Russell Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Eye Conditions, Deafness, Luxating Patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes
Puli
Dog · Medium · Hungary
Health risks: Hip Dysplasia, Eye Conditions, Deafness
Rajapalayam
Dog · Large · India
Health risks: Deafness, Skin Sensitivity, Generally healthy
Sealyham Terrier
Dog · Small · Wales
Health risks: Eye Conditions, Deafness, Allergies
Smooth Fox Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Eye Conditions, Deafness
Wire Fox Terrier
Dog · Small · England
Health risks: Luxating Patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes, Eye Conditions, Deafness