Why Do Bulldogs Suffer From Deafness?

Deafness is defined as lacking the power of hearing or having impaired hearing and has one of two main causes. It's inherited or it's caused by illness/injury.

Non-hereditary causes include a reaction to anesthetics or drugs used to treat other conditions and a middle ear infection.

One or both ears can be affected and in the majority of cases is hereditary.

White dogs are carriers of the gene that passes it on. Heredity is complicated because of the many variables but it's well known that certain breeds of dogs, including English Bulldogs carry this gene. Reputable breeders will not breed from white dogs or dogs that are known to be carriers.

Because they can't hear themselves the dogs sometimes make very odd noises instead of barking, like the dog in the video below. You'll also notice that this is a white bulldog.

How Do I Care For A Hearing Impaired Dog?

Because of their history of inbreeding, bulldogs are particularly prone to this condition. Any dog that is born deaf has a high chance of passing this on to any offspring, so it isn't a good idea to breed from them.

Deaf dogs are much harder to care for than hearing dogs. You have to be much more aware of the surroundings to make sure that they're not in danger from traffic or other hazards that a hearing animal would be aware of. Keeping them on the leash when you're out and about near busy roads is a given.

You'll need to be especially careful if you have small children that they don't accidentally startle the dog. Any animal that is startled will try to defend itself, so a sudden touch or vibration could cause the dog to bite to protect itself from what it perceives as a danger.

Whilst English Bulldogs are generally tolerant and good natured and wouldn't normally bite a small child if they are startled it becomes a reflex action.

Constantly being startled can, over time, affect the dog's personality. They can become less tolerant and more aggressive.

That's why extra vigilance is needed to care for an animal with no hearing.

Hearing loss isn't always caused by inherited traits. In some cases, just like humans, the ear channels can become filled with wax or there is dirt or hair blocking the ear canal. Your vet will be able to advise you on appropriate methods of treating this.

Training

All dogs need to be trained. The differences between training a deaf and a hearing dog are minimal. The main difference is that to overcome the lack of hearing you'll need to use hand signals instead of verbal commands.

One interesting method of doing this is by teaching the dog to use sign language. Sean Senechal, from the AnimalSign Center in Monterey, California, has developed a unique method of communication with dogs. Known as the K9Sign system it allows you to effectively instruct and command your pet.

You can learn more about this method and read reviews on Amazon.com

Other helpful publications for living and coping with canine hearing loss include:

Training a deaf Dog: The Ultimate Guide by Priscilla Ross (Kindle edition), which oulines the author's personal experiences of living with a dog with no hearing and Living with a Deaf Dog: A Book of Advice, Facts and Experiences by Susan Cope Becker.