Is My Dog Deaf? Vet nurse reveals 5 tell-tale signs, causes, coping tips and which breeds are most at risk 🐶

In the UK alone it is estimated that tens of thousands of dogs are born or become deaf annually, raising a number of challenges for owners.

Read more: Dogs Training: These are the 10 easiest to train breeds of adorable dog - including the loving Labrador

To help those who suspect their four-legged-friend may have hearing problems Leah Callaghan, Vet Nurse at Butternut Box, has explained the early signs of hearing loss in dogs, why some breeds are more at risk, and how owners can support and safely interact with deaf dogs.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What dogs most commonly suffer from hearing loss?

Hearing loss is common as dogs get older, just like humans, and it can also happen from birth in certain breeds. White or mostly-white dogs — think Dalmatians, English Setters, or white Bull Terriers — are more at risk, because the same genes responsible for a white coat can also mean a lack of pigment cells in the inner ear. So pups born without enough of them can be deaf in one or both ears from day one.

What causes deafness in dogs?

In older dogs, it's usually more gradual, a slow build-up of wear and tear on the inner ear over the years, similar to how our own hearing changes with age. It often creeps up so slowly that owners don't clock it straight away; your dog might just seem a bit more 'switched off' before you realise what's actually going on.

Hearing loss can also be linked to underlying health problems, including untreated or recurring ear infections. Dogs with floppy ears, or those prone to a build-up of hair in the ear canal, can be more susceptible to ear problems. Signs of an ear infection can include rubbing or scratching at the ears, temporary hearing loss, discharge or an unusual smell from the ear, a head tilt, or increased vocalising.

What are the signs your dog might be losing their hearing?

Here are the five most common signs:

• They don't respond to their name or come when called, even though nothing else has changed.
• They startle more easily — jumping when you approach from behind or wake them, simply because they didn't hear you coming.
• They sleep more deeply than usual and take more rousing.
• They bark more, or their bark changes in pitch or volume, because they can't hear themselves anymore.
• They stop reacting to everyday sounds — the doorbell, other dogs barking, you coming home — that would normally have them racing to the door.

What should owners do if they notice signs of deafness?

Book them in with your vet. It's worth ruling out something treatable first, like an ear infection or a wax build-up, before assuming it's permanent. If it does turn out to be age-related or breed-related, your vet can talk you through what to expect next.

From there, it's less about worry and more about adapting. Deaf dogs go on to live really full, happy lives — you just learn to communicate with them in a different way.

Keeping to a routine can really help too. A deaf dog might not hear their food bowl being put down or the sound of you picking up their lead, so having fairly consistent times for meals and walks can help them know what to expect throughout the day.

Being a respectful dog owner

If you spot a dog with a 'deaf dog' tag or bandana on their lead, that's your cue to give them a bit more space and slow things down. Don't let your own dog charge over for a greeting — a deaf dog can't hear yours approaching, so a sudden dog in their space can startle them more than most."

Never rush up to someone else's deaf dog, even if you're just being friendly. Always check with the owner first, and let them tell you the best way to say hello — some deaf dogs are happy to be approached from the front where they can see you coming, others would rather not be approached by strangers at all.

If you're crouching down to greet a deaf dog, do it slowly and within their line of sight, and let them sniff your hand before you touch them. A soft touch on the shoulder is usually safer than reaching for the top of their head, which can feel startling if they didn't see it coming."

For the deaf dog's own owner, hand signals are brilliant — most dogs pick them up faster than you'd expect, often quicker than they ever learned verbal cues. Vibration and visual cues work well too — a stamp on the floor, a torch flash, or a gentle vibrating collar (never a shock one) to get their attention from a distance.

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