BAER testing is the most reliable method for determining a dog’s hearing ability. It can confirm whether a dog is deaf and, if so, to what extent. However, it only assesses hearing within the human auditory range, meaning some dogs may still perceive higher-pitched sounds.
Congenital deafness is often linked to coat colour and genetic traits. It is most common in breeds carrying the extreme piebald gene, which results in predominantly white coats.
This condition is thought to occur due to a developmental issue with pigment cells in the inner ear. In affected puppies, the nerve endings in the inner ear deteriorate and die within the first few weeks of life due to the lack of pigment.
Deafness can also be associated with the merle coat gene, which produces mottled patches of colour.
Dogs with merle coats may also have blue or odd-coloured eyes. This is due to a lack of pigment in the iris, which is thought to correlate with inner-ear pigment loss, potentially contributing to hearing impairment.
This being said deafness can occur in dogs regardless of coat colour.
Why BAER Testing Matters
Deafness in dogs can affect their ability to respond to commands and navigate their environment safely. Responsible breeders will test early to ensure they are selling healthy puppies and to ensure appropriate training and care for affected dogs.
How BAER Testing Works
The test measures electrical activity in the brain in response to sound. It is a painless procedure and takes about 20 minutes. Litters of puppies can be tested as young as five to six weeks old.
Possible BAER Test Results
- Unaffected: The dog has normal hearing in both ears.
- Affected – Bilateral: The dog is completely deaf in both ears.
- Affected – Unilateral: The dog is deaf in one ear but hears normally in the other.
The following breeds are known to be affected:
- Australian Cattle Dogs
- Australian Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Boxers (white-coated)
- Bull Terriers (white-coated)
- Dalmatians
- English Setters
