It is not possible to prevent congenital deafness from occurring, and this is the reason why dogs who are deaf should not be bred. For dogs who are not deaf, it is important to have their ears checked every six months to make sure they are healthy. If something like an ear infection is left untreated, it can lead to chronic changes in the ears that can increase the risk of acquired deafness in the future.
Many deaf dogs go on to lead normal lives, and there are generally no additional underlying illnesses when it comes to congenital deafness. If anything, dogs with fair hair coat colors may be more susceptible to sunburns. Therefore, sunblock is important when these dogs go outside.
Deaf dogs can be trained using hand signals and body language, and their sense of smell will help dogs who are treated motivated. If training is initially difficult, you can contact a trainer who specializes in working with deaf dogs. It is also important to remember that deaf dogs should not walk off-leash because they cannot hear impending danger like cars on the roadway. Also, it is best to gently rouse them when trying to wake them up. Abrupt wakefulness can be stressful — especially when small children are around and do not understand that they need to play with deaf dogs carefully.
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Congenital deafness is an inherited disorder in dogs. Definitive testing is available, and it is important to avoid breeding dogs who are deaf. However, deaf dogs can live normal, happy lives. All they need is a little extra training and a lot of love!
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