The Dalmatian Club of America
Position Statement Regarding Reducing Deafness
in the Dalmatian
as adopted August 7, 2004
The Dalmatian Club of America has always viewed the safeguarding of the
health of the Dalmatian to be a primary reason for the Club's existence.
Through its Health and Research Committees the DCA has sponsored and supported
the search for solutions in various health matters pertinent to the well
being of the Dalmatian.
The Health and Research Committee's study group on hearing has accumulated
and studied statistical information regarding the incidence of unilateral
and total deafness in the Dalmatian. . The work of this study group covers
twenty five years and encompasses testing done throughout the United States
at numerous test sites and veterinary centers. One study of phenotype done
through time by George M. Strain, Ph.D., evaluated 5333 Dalmatians. In the
general population of Dalmatians, this study would show that 70.1% are bilaterally
hearing dogs, 21.9% are unilaterally deaf, and 8.0% are bilaterally deaf.
(1) Another study of phenotype done through time by
Susanne A. Hughes, DVM, evaluated 1046 Dalmatians. In the general population
of Dalmatians, this study would show that 78.3% are bilaterally hearing
dogs, 17.9% are unilaterally deaf, and 3.8% are bilaterally deaf. (2) Included below is part of the information gathered by
the Health and Research Committee in the form of data relating to the breeding
of unilaterally deaf and blue-eyed dogs. This data shows with statistical
certainty that the hearing soundness of the Dalmatian can be greatly improved
by selective breeding practices.
Statistical data from researchers across the United States is summarized
here with bilaterally hearing dogs being referred to as "B" and
unilaterally deaf dogs being referred to as "U" in the parent
crosses and their offspring. "n=" represents the numbers of dogs
tested.
Parentage Hearing Impact on Deafness in Dalmatian Offspring
| Researcher |
Parents |
B
offspring |
U
offspring |
Deaf
offspring |
n = |
Vima Yuzbasiyan-
Gurkan, Ph. D. (3) |
B x B
B x U |
81%
71% |
16%
16% |
3%
13% |
382
109 |
| Susanne Hughes, D.V.M. (4) |
B x B
B x U |
82.3%
64.6% |
14.5%
29.5% |
3.2%
5.9% |
809
237 |
| George Strain, Ph. D. (5) |
B x B
B x U |
72.0%
59.7% |
21.6%
29.9% |
6.4%
10.4% |
2624
804 |
|
The Dalmatian Club of America By-Laws include as purposes of the Club
the collection and dissemination of information concerning the Dalmatian
dog and the promotion and engagement in research into the breeding of the
Dalmatian. Therefore, to ensure that Dalmatian breeding practices produces
fewer deaf dogs, the Dalmatian Club of America strongly recommends that
Dalmatian breeders seriously consider using only bilaterally hearing dogs
in their breeding program. Bilaterally deaf dogs should never be bred. The
Dalmatian Club of America recommends that breeders should communicate this
information and its implications to the new owners of dogs that they have
bred.
Phenotypic Hearing Ratios Relating to Deafness in Dogs with
Blue Eyes
(BR = Brown Eye and BL = Blue Eye):
| Researcher |
Eye Phenotype |
Percentage Relating to Hearing |
n = |
| |
|
B |
U |
Deaf |
|
George Strain,
Ph. D. (6)
|
BRBR
BRBL
BLBL |
72.7%
49.1%
49.3% |
20.9%
32.4%
32.2% |
6.5%
18.4%
18.5% |
4650
407
146 |
Thomas R. Famula,
Ph. D. (7)
|
BRBR
BRBL
BLBL |
78%
51%
42% |
16%
34%
38% |
6%
15%
20% |
2501
249
60 |
Susanne Hughes, D.V.M. (8)
|
BRBR
BL-- |
78.0%
59.6% |
17.3%
30.1% |
4.6%
10.6% |
1143
166 |
|
Research indicates that blue eyed dogs are linked to a greater incidence
of deafness. The Dalmatian Club of America strongly recommends that Dalmatian
breeders seriously consider using only brown eyed dogs in their breeding
program. The Dalmatian Club of America recommends that breeders should communicate
this information and its implications to the new owners of dogs that they
have bred.
In summary, The Dalmatian Club of America recognizes that deafness in
the Dalmatian is one of the most serious problems facing conscientious breeders.
Using only bilaterally hearing, brown-eyed Dalmatians in a breeding program
demonstrates the best approach for reducing deafness in the Dalmatian.
- 1. Strain, George M. "Deafness prevalence and pigmentation
and gender association in dog breeds at risk," The Veterinary Journal,
167, 2004, pg. 23-32, pg. 2.
- 2. Hughes, Susanne A. Statistics memorandum to the Dalmatian Club
of America, Inc., May 1, 2004.
- 3. Dalmatian Club of America. "Position Statement Regarding
Reducing Deafness in the Dalmatian." December 5, 1998.
- 4. Hughes, Susanne A. Statistics memorandum to the Dalmatian Club
of America, Inc., May 1, 2004.
- 5. Strain, George M. "Deafness prevalence and pigmentation
and gender association in dog breeds at risk," The Veterinary Journal,
167, 2004, pg. 23-32, pg. 7, extended by memorandum.
- 6. Strain, George M. "Deafness prevalence and pigmentation
and gender association in dog breeds at risk," The Veterinary Journal,
167, 2004, pg. 23-32, pg. 7, extended by memorandum.
- 7. Famula, Thomas R. "Dalmatian Hearing Statistics," University
of California, Davis, Statistics memorandum to the Dalmatian Club of America,
Inc., December 8, 2003.
- 8. Hughes, Susanne A. Statistics memorandum to the Dalmatian Club
of America, Inc., May 1, 2004.
|