Deaf Great Danes

Question
Mr. Humpries, in response to your answer to a question that was a prospective owner of a white dane asked you.  I need to aske you this?  WHY?  What is your reasoning for believing that White great danes should be PTS?  I know many deaf great danes, and while I believe that training them takes a special person(s) as it is more difficult, it CAN be done. I have seen it many times.  They do NOT startle any easier than a normal dog.  I think that you advice was very off-base.  As a breeder of Fawns and sometimes brindles, how much experince with White danes do you have?  White Danes, although not an accepted breed color, are still great danes, and still deserve love.  Are you against all white danes in gerneral, or just all deaf danes.  Deaf dogs are trainable, just as deaf children are traiable.  Would your euthinze your child if were deaf?  PTS for bad temper, yes.  PTS for a disability...NEVER!!    Sincerely,  Dawn Mullins

Answer
For most of the people I get questions from, training a great dane with no hearing difficulties is about their limit if not beyond it.  Having a dog that size which is not properly controlled is a danger to everyone around.  It cannot be let off the lead to run free in case it runs into the road, it cannot hear a child approach and if awakened suddenly may snap, if it is not looking at you it cannot see hand signals and will not respond to being called back.

In the UK most responsible breeders will euthanase deaf dogs rather than risk pet homes having problems.

I have not raised deaf danes or any deaf dogs but I know harlie breeders who have had this problem and that is the course they take and vets will often recommended it.

It is not just white danes that can be deaf.  Any white dog can have the same problem, ask any dalmation breeder.