Is this a classic CKCS trait or is my dog deaf!?

Hi all,

I've had Holly 2 months now....i've always wondered if she is deaf :?

She doesn't respond to her name, or any other way of calling her, doesn't respond to noises (eg hoover, loud music)
When i come home from work i could literally move all the furniture out and make loads of noise and she wouldn't hear me. I have to go up to her and tap her for her to know i'm home!!
She walks well off lead and stays by my side but sometimes she will think i'm someone else and go off with them, i'm stood there calling her and it's just as though she can't hear me
It's just a general 'gut feeling'....

Or can she?!

Talking to a few other cav owners who say selective hearing is a classic....!

We've been to the vets who wern't really much help saying there isn't anything you can do etc

Is there anything i can do to test her and if she is deaf shoudl i be doing anything different or helping her?

Thanks xx

She does sound deaf yes, ask your Vet to check her out, then ask them to refer you to a testing clinic, that do BAER testing, this will confirm your suspicions.
Dawn.

It sounds like she may indeed be deaf. Selective deafness is when you call them they look up at you then carry on doing exactly what they want!
Becky

I'd certainly get her tested for deafness, and if she is deaf you will have to teach her hand signals, it can be done and they can lead a near normal life, you will just have to be careful that she is never off a lead in a strange place. Kath

Not a CKCS trait if Jaz is anything to go by. In the mornings she'll listen out for me coming down the stairs and if I don't go and say hello straight away she'll whine at me until I do!

Sounds like she might be deaf to me.

Arr that's sad if she is but I am unsure about relevent tests you vet can or can't do. Inca recenly posted about her Pippa and her deafness.

I am without experience I am afraid, but have you tried all types of pitches ? i.e dog whistle..

select deafness is in most breeds but it does sound like she may have hearing trouble ....we are working with pippa who is 6 with hand signals and food she is a bright receptive dog so its been easy to do ...i find she just looks at me more often now for guidance and has become more seperated form the pack but India has been happy to take over as top dog ( she has been waiting for this moment )

things are fine here its not a huge problem at all

Oscar has selective deafness, by which I mean that he hears when it suits him. Sounds like your wee one has more of a problem.

Walk up behind her and clap your hands. If she turns, jumps or flinches she can hear you, if not....I just reread that and it sounds sorta mean to scare her, but without going through a bunch of testing its the only way that I can think of to check.

Have a look at http://www.deafdogs.org/ for lots of resources about deaf dogs (it's an American site but still useful). As others have said you can test for deafness using a BAER test (Brain Auditory Evoked Response), this can only be done at specialist centres, your vet should be able to refer you if you request it.

I have selective hearing, meaning I hear what I want to LOL but it does seem like your Cavalier may have a hearing problem. It would be a major problem if you were in an area where dogs run but if you have a fenced in yard it should not be a big problem if you do find out that she is indeed deaf. I was always so amazed how well a blind dog does too but with their sense of smell so strong it does make it easier to understand. I wish you the best and do let us know what you find out.

We have CKCS's that are genuinely deaf, or at least hard of hearing (one or two of the older ones of 8 years of age plus), and others who are selectively deaf. The other advice you may read above seems appropriate - try a whistle with the pitch high enough to get through where other sounds cannot, or arrange a test. Our 'deaf' dogs keep their eye on me when off the lead, respond to signs and generally manage satisfactorily.
They also join in the barking when another one starts, believing there is something to bark about !! So they must either hear something, or sense sounds by vibration or something instinctive.

you could try going up behind her so she cant c u, mayb when she is sleeping and clap close to her ears, if thee is no twitching, or anything i rekon she mioght be deaf