Questions about deaf boxers

[Toy Dragon]

I was just wondering if the white boxers that are deaf, are they born deaf or do they eventually go deaf?

I'm going to get a boxer in about a year and was considering getting a white because I'm not interested in showing or breeding, I just want a companion. However, I don't think I'd do so well with a deaf dog, I know you can teach them to understand hand signals and such but I know I wouldn't be any good at that. :P

-Celia

 

[adeinert]

I just had a deaf white foster dog. See my posts under Boxer Ring - Deaf foster.
He was a fabulous houseguest. I would have kept him in a heartbeat. He was detected as deaf at his 6 week checkup so it would be known at the time you adopt one if he/she was deaf or not. There are a few sites on the internet that go into a lot of detail, www.deafdogs.com and www.deafdogs.org and there is a website: the boxer whitepages that is helpful too.
Just like hearing dogs and police dogs, they would learn hand signs. Many obedience dogs and agility dogs respond to hand signs as well so it is not as uncommon as you might think. I picked up his beginning hand signs from these sites and a book, "Living With A Deaf Dog".
Colby's deafness did not prove to be an obstacle in any way except when training him, you couldn't call, "No," across the room, you would have to go over and correct him. Not really an obstacle except for the very lazy!
If you want a very special boxer who will depend on you and love you unconditionally, a deaf dog may be for you. They are very closely bonded to their owners because they are boxers and look to you for communication. They tend to depend on another dog also.
My beauty Colby is on the males page at www.flbr.org.
good luck searching for your boxer! Whether you choose a hearing boxer or one without hearing, you will receive a companion for life with lots of love to give.
Ashlie

 

[melruf]

we also have a deaf boxer and i believe, that all puppy's are born deaf, and then for our deaf poochies the blood supply is compromised and cut off so the dog never actually hears. we luv our deaf meathead just be careful around roads.

 

[Emma'sMamma]

We have a deaf, white, bouncing, beaning baby girl. BABY??? Wait, she's 10 months old now, but still my baby! We have no problems with her being deaf. She is quite aware of everything that is going on. We socialized her a lot right away and now everyone she meets, she loves. haha!! As a matter of fact, now that the weather is better, we have been going to the dog park every day and everyone remembers her from last summer and WOWed at how much she has grown. She is one of those unforgetables. The hand signals we use are really basic. Anyway, did I have a point? Hmmm... Oh YEAH!! They will be able to tell you before you adopt if the white they have is deaf or not. Emma had a white brother too and he didn't have any hearing problems at all. He is quite healthy and happy and not having any health problems. :D

 

[ssleighter]

The President of our rescue organization (NCBR) recently added a White Boxers Fact Page to our website that is very helpful. The largest percentage of white boxers are not deaf, and those that are, are born that way. They grow up to be like any other dog except that they use visual cues instead of verbal.

Please check out our page http://www.ncbr.org/white_boxer.htm I hope it helps!

Too bad you're not in Texas we have so many loving white boxers looking for their forever homes!

Sharon

 

[JulieM]

Congenital deafness occurs at about 3-4 weeks of age.


A slight correction to the NCBR page:

The American Boxer Club does not activly discourage this behavior but it does allow white Boxers to be registered with the AKC on limited privilege.

This is not true. The ABC does not allow white Boxers to obtain any type of AKC registration - full or limited.

(I'm not positive about the "white puppies are frequently euthanized" comment, either, as I know of maybe a half-dozen breeders that do and at least five times that many that don't, but perhaps it's a regional anomaly.)

 

[Kylie_L]

I was just wondering about a white boxer. I have a fawn and a brindel and was thinking about getting a white boxer. I don't care if the boxer is deaf or not ...i just want it to be healthy, but i just wanted to know should i ask the rescue or breeder any additional questions that only go with white boxers beside the general questions you ask? Thanks

 

[adeinert]

I don't have the addresses off hand, but our rescue site is also white boxer friendly (I am sure they all are:p ) and if you go to www.flbr.org, under the heading "What's New", go down to right below the spay/neuter license plate and she has links there for the white boxer pages, etc. You will find a lot of info from the owners of white boxers.
I have had the pleasure of fostering two, young, white boxers. A darling little, white, hearing female; and a wonderful, non-hearing, white male. They are every bit boxer as a fawn or a brindle. Completing your pack sounds like great fun! I have a friend in rescue that also has a white, a brindle, and a fawn. What fun!
Ashlie, mommy to Jillian and Tulley