12% of Dalmatians Should be Euthanized?
Posted by admin on 29 Jan 2010 at 07:31 pm | Tagged as: Dalmatian, New Lives Book, News & Views, Rescued Animals, Therapy Dogs
Photo by Jennifer Smallwood
Lottie Dot was dumped on a highway in the middle of a snowstorm when she was only eight weeks old. Except for an act of serendipity, she would have frozen to death in the snow.
Patricia Belt’s son was driving cross-country to visit her one February, when he came upon what looked like a lump of snow on the road. He swerved, skidded to a stop, then got out of his car. Looking up at him was a tiny Dalmatian pup. She was frightened, malnourished, and very, very cold.
When Patricia took Lottie to the vet, it was discovered the little pup was deaf in both ears. Using American Sign Language, Patricia trained Lottie – who now knows an amazing 40 commands! Lottie can balance a bone on her nose, flip it and then catch it in her mouth. She jumps through hula hoops and plays peekaboo by covering her eyes with her paws. Lottie is an honorary member of the local fire department, and learned too stop, drop and roll, so that she can demonstrate the life-saving technique to schoolchildren. And after every trick, Lottie takes a bow!
Lottie visits in hospitals, seniors’ centers, and rehabilitation facilities. (She is so busy, that she even has her own resumé!) She also takes part in the R.E.A.D. (Reading Educational Assistance Dog) program – which encourages literacy by having children read out loud to a dog. Lottie nods with approval when the children show her pictures and even gives them the occasional “high-five.” “Lottie can’t hear these precious kids read a single word,” her owner, Patricia says. “She hears in a different way; with her heart.”
However, there is something unsettling about Lottie’s story. According to the Dalmatian Club of America, Lottie should have been euthanized when she was only eight weeks old.
About 12 percent of dalmatians are born deaf. This is a congenital defect and one that breeders are determined to eliminate. The Dalmatian Club of America mandates that all deaf puppies should be euthanized, rather than bred, sold, or given away as pets. The rationale for this, according to club literature, is that deaf dalmatians are difficult to train. They “lack the power of reason and the ability to read a situation and act accordingly,” they startle easily and are “potentially dangerous.” As a result, they would “lead a sadly neurotic life.”
“A deaf dog is continually startled, especially when asleep. Too many children have faced the plastic surgeon’s knife after innocently touching a sleeping, deaf dog… a dog which in every other way was the most perfect pet imaginable. DEAF DOGS ARE POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS,” the literature states.
It is suspected that Lottie’s breeder had given her a BAER (brainstem auditory evoked response) test that measures hearing response. When it was discovered she was deaf, he had dumped her on the road. (BAER tests are usually given to Dalmatian pups when they are two months old – the same age Lottie was when she was found.) Perhaps the breeder had decided that he didn’t want to pay the cost of having the pup euthanized, or they didn’t want word to get out that they’d bred a “defective” dog.
In 1993, 42,816 Dalmatians were registered with the club. 12% of this number is 5138 dogs. Over 5,000 dogs – according to club policy – should be euthanized.
Looking at Lottie, it is difficult to understand this. “It’s heartbreaking,” Patricia says. “Just think of all the Lottie Dots there could be in this world. Think of all the joy that they could bring.”
Dalmatians are a very old breed, and often thought to be the first dog deliberately bred for certain characteristics. One of those characteristics is their distinctive coat spotted coat. Dogs with patches – large areas of continuous color, often found around the eyes, ears, or at the base of the tail – are disqualified from competition.. About 12% of Dalmatians are born with “patches.” And ironically, the presence of patches has a reverse correlation to the deafness gene. In other words, patched dogs are less likely to be born deaf. So breeding for patches – which is prohibited in the breed standard – might actually lower the number of deaf dogs.
In the past many breeders routinely euthanized patched puppies at birth, rather like they now euthanize deaf puppies. Perhaps in the future deaf puppies will also be spared.
The Deaf Dog Connections, Advocacy, Resources & Education, Inc. is dedicated to promoting the health, welfare, and quality of life for deaf dogs. For more information, please visit: www.D2Care.org
Do you agree with the Dalmatian Club? Should 12% of their breed be euthanized?
The idea of euthanizing all deaf Dalmatians is totally barbaric. With DCA’s mandate, Dalmatian breeders can breed a beautifully spotted deaf female to get at least one beautiful hearing pup then euthanize the rest that she will certainly have.
I think 12% is a very conservative number of deaf Dals born. Some breeders silently and secretly adopt out their deaf pups to rescue groups or through private adoption (that’s how I got my pup,Dora.) They insist the person adopting or the rescue group sign a contract stating they will not divulge the kennel where the pup came from. This makes it difficult to determine the number of deaf pups born each year and also allows them to continually breed irresponsiby but feel less guilty.
You are so right about the patches….breeders used to euthanize deaf pups just because they were born with one solid black ear and some still do! With the discovery that a patch helps with hearing the breeders have completely missed the boat! Blue eyes are also prone to deafness. Many breeders euthanize their pups if born with a blue eye.
There is only one club that does not mandate euthanasia and that is UKC’s Dalmatians of North America (DNA). They will allow deaf Dals to compete in everything but conformation. Their progressive attitude and focus on responsible breeding should be recognized.
In the old breed books of the 1800’s, the Dalmatian looks more like a bird dog. To get the show quality look of a Dalmatian today..I wonder how many deaf pups had to die. Its inhumane and unconscionable.
The DCA (Dalmatian Club of America) needs to be ashamed of themselves. They are still being run by the same people that have been running that club for the last 50 years and it is time for them to realize that euthanization of deaf puppies will not stop that champion from having another one.
Deafness is caused by the Piebald gene which also regulates the spotting. You will never be able to totally irradicate deafness in Dalmatians but for the DCA to still MANDATE they be euthanized is barbaric.
I own 2 deaf Dalmatians that I adoped from a resuce as puppies and they are smart and easy to train. They make wonderful pets and there are advantages to having one. The vacuum cleaner doesn’t bother them at all…
Do they startle at time, yes, but so do hearing dogs. It is how you go about training a deaf puppy to deal with being startled. Does their deafness make them more likely to be visious and bite. NO. Any dog will bite if it is scared or fells threatened or feels it needs to protect its humans.
The DCA is the ONLY breed club left in the world that is still mandating euthanization of a puppy or dog of any age. Do I think you should breed a deaf dog of any breed? Absolutely not. But they do make wonderful competitors in comapnion events. Mine are training in Obedience, Rally and Agiity and will beging competing this year in the UKC (United Kennel Club) events. The AKC (American Kennel Club) has even realized it is time to let them compete but those on the Board of Directors for the AKC that advocate allowing deaf dogs compete are now being attacked and actually the DCA has started a movement to have these wonderful people removed from the Board of Directors for the AKC.
The DNA (Dalmatians of North America) which is the Dalmatian breed club under the UKC is the ONLY Dalmatian club in the world that does not mandate euthanization of deaf puppies. The DNA is all about the over all health of the breed, including the Uric Acid Stones that, again, only Dalmatians get.
Did you know that if a breeder chooses not to euthanize a deaf puppy and the DCA finds out about it they will sanction them and can pull their breeding license? I have ask this question myself many times, “Just who died and made the DCA GOD”? Why don’t they mandate instead no breeding of blue eyed or blue flecked Dalmatians. There is enough scientific proof out there now that shows the incidence of deafness is much greater coming from blue eyed Dalmatians than from Brown eyed Dalmatians. Do I think they need to euthanize the blue eyed Dalmatians…again NO. But there are other ways to cut down on the incidence of deafness. It will never be irricated.
Do I beieve the DCA should leave it up to the breeders to make the decision to allow someone to adopt a deaf puppy with the understanding that puppy must be spayed/neutered? Absolutely. There are thousands of us that prefer a deaf dog. And reputable rescues will always be able to place a deaf puppy/adult dog with a loving home.
I say it is time for the DCA to smell the coffee. The pot went dry years ago and it is burning up now. Consider the health of the dogs and stop forcing breeders to do your bidding. Let those breeders be responsible for their own decisions. After all, they are the ones that will be responsible in the long run, not the DCA.
I believe the DCA originally mandated euthanizing deaf dogs in the mistaken belief that they are harder to train, can be vicious and are bound to be unhappy. Or at least that’s the party line.
However, as dogs like Lottie prove, that is not the case. Granted, a deaf dog will need different training than a dog who can hear, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be trained at all.
So if that’s the case, why does the DCA persist in insisting on this position? Well, when you consider this issue in light of the notion of euthanizing dogs with solid patches rather than well-defined spots, it becomes clear that the DCA’s underlying reason is that they want all dals to conform to a certain standard of ‘beauty’ set by none other than . . . the DCA. In other words, in choosing to sentence dogs to death because they do not live up to a certain preconceived notion of ‘perfection’ the DCA is choosing something fairly frivilous (aesthetics) over something fairly serious (a living being’s survival). How can they expect anyone to believe that this mandate to kill is anything but an attempt to protect their own financial interests? It’s barbaric.
Just read your comments, Patricia. How ironic is that? Patches on a Dal is evolution’s way of filtering out deaf dogs (i.e. patchy dals don’t have the same genetic predisposition to deafness). Then the DCA comes along and mandates killing patchy dogs to get some ‘ideal’ dog. And in the process, actually reverses the evolutionary filtering, so that the number of deaf dogs born is increased. In other words, they’ve actually caused the increase in deaf dogs by their selective breeding mandate against patchy dogs. And then they turn around and demand that those dogs be killed, too. It’s beyond ridiculous. If they keep fiddling, pretty soon there won’t be any Dals the approve of at all.
The DCA doesn’t mandate killing the patched dogs but some breeders do, just like with the blue eyes but they DO the deaf ones. If you haven’t read their position statement on deafness you should. When I read it I got sick to my stomach! They don’t even want veterinarians or rescue
groups to even suggest adoption, just go ahead and euthanize them.
http://www.thedca.org/deaf1.html
I can’t imagine, especially owning 2 deafies how anyone could put down a hearing dog just because they are patched or blue eyes. Dalmatian breeders will do anything for the perfect spotted specimen. I do think by sharing Lottie Dot’s story, Joanne is helping people realize just how sad this situation is. Its not just the Dalmatian breed either.
I didn’t mean they mandate killing patched dogs now, just that in their efforts in the past to create the perfect spotted dog, they’ve actually contributed to the increase in deaf dogs if the patched ones are genetically less likely to produce deaf pups.
I hope that getting the word out will make a difference. We’re supposed to be ‘progressing’ as human beings, which to me suggests that we start treating all creatures with respect, not as instruments for our own goals.
You are so right about the breeders increasing deafness by irresponsible breeding.
I think with advocates like Joanne, pet lovers everywhere will learn the horrible reality of euthanization of deaf dogs. My goal is to set a wonderful example of what the deaf ones can accomplish if given the chance. My two bring so much joy everywhere they go! I can’t imagine life without them!!
I wish I could set up a Deaf Dalmatian Sanctuary and give them all a great life and train them making them ready to adopt.
Thanks Sophie for your feedback. I wish everyone thought the way you do.
Education, education and more education!! That’s all we can do.
I have done volunteer work for several Rescue Groups. I was with Guardian Angel Pet Rescue for 4 years and with Fayette County Animal Rescue for 4 years. I did the animal photos for both websites. I don’t believe that any breed dog should be put down for a hearing disability?
That would be very cruel. For example, look what Patricia Belt has done with Lottie Dot, her extremely well trained Therapy Dalmatian? Both Patricia and Lottie Dot turn tears into smiles every time that they go out to ST Jude
and many more Nursing Homes, Schools, Good Grief Camp and so on? Lottie Dot has another sense that we humans don’t have. I believe that Lottie Dot has the ability to sense that a person is hurting or grieving and adjusts to that? We as humans need the disability that Lottie has? What disability?? She is a lot smarter than a lot of us humans?
The world needs a lot more like Lottie Dot and Patricia!!!
I have 6 Dalmatians and 2 of them are deaf. I have found my deaffies just as easy to train as my hearing dogs, in fact, the deaf ones have actually trained the hearing ones to focus more. It is really an issue of very early focus training for them. Once they know to watch you “all of the time” the rest is easy. The DCA is still living in the stone age and yes, it is all about the perfect specimin. However, do they do anything about the stone issue? NO. In fact they also have ostracated the NUA Dalmatians. This is a serious health issue, especially for males. What I think is even sadder is that the AKC seems to be “afraid” of the DCA. When the DCA learned that the AKC was considering allowing deaf dogs compete in companion events they started this campaign to oust those members of the BOD on the AKC that were in favor of allowing deaf dogs to compete. How can one breed club be so powerful. As far as I am aware, no one died and made the DCA GOD! The AKC needs to stand up and tell them they will be allowed to compete and if they don’t like it, well that is too bad. After all, it is really all about the money for both of them. That is why the AKC is now allowing mixed breeds compete right along side of the purebred dogs for the same titles. The AKC has always been all about PUREBREDS! I think everyone should just boycot both the DCA and the AKC, go to the UKC to compete where deaf dogs are welcome and join the DNA (Dalmatians of North America), the only Dalmatian breed club in the world that does not mandate, or even suggest euthanization of deaf dogs.
Jimmy
Such kind words coming from someone who has so much experience in rescue means alot.
There could be so many Lottie Dots around if breeders would take a stand against euthanization.
Ariel
You are so right. It makes no since for AKC to allow mixed breeds to compete against purebreds when they are so anti NUA Dals that came from one pointer 13 generations ago. Give all your spotties big hugs!
While doing research for NEW LIVES, I was originally shocked when Patricia told me of the DCA policy – then incredibly saddened by it. I think there are a lot of people who are unaware of it, and it is necessary to bring this issue to the forefront. Thanks to everyone for this very interesting discussion about it.
Joanne
Dalmatians are SMART. There was a deaf one in the neighborhood where I grew up. She ran loose with the rest of the pack and apparently could feel traffic vibrations because she knew how to dodge cars.
Puppy Training Classes…
This is really good please keep it up….
puppy training help…
Dog obedience training is the basis for you and your best friend to have a long and happy life together….
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Interesting post. Thanks for share
The UKC’s Dalmatians of North America club is trying to convince breeders not to breed blue-eyed Dals since scientific research shows they are prone to deafness. They also are accepting patches (solid black areas) in conformation since patched Dals produce more hearing dogs….hopefully this will help the breed as far as deafness is concerned. The number has increased to 30% deafness (uni or bilateral)
Lottie Dot is working hard to set an example for all deaf dogs by staying busy with her therapy work.
Dora is just about ready to take the Delta Society evaluation to become a therapy dog. We’ve been training really hard and loving every minute. She loves kids, people and her obedience skills are excellent. She still has the wiggles…but I’m finding that I can signal her to “sit” and she settles down. Lottie was the same way when she was a year old.
Purina is sponsoring Lottie Dot and Dora to attend the UKC Premiere and Dalmatian Specialty in July. This is quite an honor to be able to promote training deaf dogs for therapy work.
Deaf dogs can do anything a hearing dog can do but hear.
If I win the Lotto, there will be the
World’s 1st Handicapped Dalmatian Sanctuary!
In honor of my beloved “red zone” Disney Dalmatian, Kayra, who passed away too young from the horribly degrading Degenerative Spine Disease in 2008 because she was the product of a puppy mill, mass-produced during the 101 Dalmatians Disney movie.
Kayra taught me what my life’s purpose is:
to help the blind dogs, the deaf dogs, the missing limb dogs, and yes, the emotionally handicapped dogs like Kayra, too.
Get the word out:
Website: deafdog.org. Go to You can help/products for Deaf Dog merchandise.
D2Care.org is a great website too
I never use the “My dog is Deaf” scarves or anything that gets people to give him the “oh poor thing” look. My deafie doesn’t know he’s deaf and no one would know if I didn’t tell them. I don’t consider this a handicap or disability. He just can’t hear.
Patricia good luck at the Premier. What an honor! Your hard work and passion for these special dogs is paying off.
Maybe I can come see you and your girls.