Has anyone had a problem with deafness in Staffs? Particularly white ones? Any information would be greatfully received!

I know there is claimed to be deafness in white boxers - but dont know why this is
but havent heard of anything in SBT . Will see if I can find anything out :)

Thanks Lel ;)
Come on you Staffy lovers I know you're out there! I need your help on this one :)

Im a member on a staffy board - will put this question to them . I've only ever had black brindles.

I used to know a family with a SBT who was deaf she would be about now 7 or 8 now and lives a full and happy life.  Her litter mates 4 of whom were white too not deaf, the people have moved away now and don't recall much more about them other than their enchanting bitch. I am sure though the vet had told the breeder it was "one of those things." I do know they said the breeder had never bred another litter from the bitch's mother though.
Karen 

Thanks Lel - out of interest which staffy board do you use? being staff mad I'd love to join - can you PM me pls.
I've been onto my breed club and they are also looking into deafness for me but aren't aware of any as yet. It may be that the pup concerned is going through a kevin phase and choosing to ignore commands but she is to be baer tested to find out for sure. If she turns out to be deaf I'll have to try and work out if it's hereditary or not and which side it came from, dam or sire...although I don't spose it'll be easy to find out :( I do know the stud I used throws white pups regularly so hopefully it's not my bitch.
Thanks for your replies - if anyone has any further thoughts please let me know ;)

If the pup does turn out to be deaf, then certainly get your bitch BAER tested, and hopefully the stud owner will be responsible enough to get him tested too. It's only really through generations of continually testing all the puppies in all litters, and eliminating the unilaterals from the breeding programme, will the gene eventually be eliminated.

It's worth noting that, back in 2002, there were known to be at least 35 breeds which can suffer from congenital (probably hereditary) deafness.

Thanks JG, but if my bitch has no apparent hearing problems why do I need to baer test her? It's one of her pups that seems to have a problem? Sorry to appear dim but I've never had any dealings with deafness in dogs :) My bitch is black brindle (so were both her parents) and the stud was brindle, but I do know he regularly throws white pups so if it's genetic how do I find out if it came from the bitch or dog (from what I can gather it's a recessive gene)? (my understanding of the baer test is that it is a hearing test not a gene test?) Does the baer test establish if the deafness is hereditary or 'just one of those things'? That's if she turns out to be deaf after all! These things are so complex...it takes me a while to get my head round them! :) ;)

It's a very complex condition, but is very rarely 'one of those things' - it's usually been passed down from somewhere. From what you say, if the dog is siring white puppies then it's most likely to be on his side - he may be unilaterally deaf himself, and there's no way of determining that without a BAER test. Unilaterals appear to be perfectly normal, and have 'no apparent hearing problems'.

The only way to determine if a line is carrying a recessive gene is to test every single puppy ever born - which is why it takes such a long time! The BAER test has been available for over 10 years - if every single affected breed tested every single puppy and eliminated affected ones from the gene pool the problme would be over much sooner. It's not even a simple recessive - two normal-hearing dogs can still produce affected offspring.
:)

I'm amazed (and rather annoyed) that the breed council don't recommend baer tests if deafness is a problem in SBTs. I took advice on board and had my bitch eye tested as I was told this was 'advisable' as I want to breed responsibly. I wonder if the KC should be making tests compulsory as a condition of registration to try and eliminate these genes...voluntary testing doesn't appear to be working in the eye testing department which is widely recommended (I seem to recall being told less than 1% of SBTs are tested) - and I'd never heard of deafness until this problem occured, likewise my breed club have not come across any deaf SBTs. So much heartache could be prevented if only everyone was proactive...

Don't hold your breath with the KC - they don't even list BAER testing on the list of tests for their own 'Accredited Breeder' scheme :rolleyes: Not even in dals, where deafness is the biggest hereditary problem ...

I thought the whole point of the KC was to improve dogs and act in their interests?? The more I find out about them the less impressed I am Surely the idea behind the accredited breeder scheme is to let the public know the breeders do everything possible to ensure the health of the pups...otherwise whats the point? I feel a stroppy letter coming on (not that I expect it will make any difference!)

I don't know that staffs have a particular problem with deafness, though it is a problem in other bull terriers, so I can see that it is quite possible. Perhaps it's just not recognised as a problem in the breed because it isn't tested for! English bull terrier breeders are starting to show a very responsible attitude, and are facing the problem.

The link with white animals is that the cells in the foetus that develop into hearing receptors in the inner ear are very closely connected to pigmentation cells. Lack of pigment is therefore an indication that there can be lack of hearing. If the lack has only occurred on one side (unilateral) then it can be very difficult to tell, but if these animals are bred from the problem becomes worse. Animals suffering from deafness, whether unilateral or bilateral (total), should not be bred from.
:)

I've just found this Site - hope it helps.

great link - thanks JG :)