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In this photo series, I photographed dogs with congenital deafness to highlight just how amazing and adaptable they are. Though there are some challenges to having a deaf dog, there are also great rewards. It is often believed that training a deaf dog is difficult, if not impossible, but most have found them to be quite easy to train; you just need to use hand signals instead of verbal commands. Some owners have even taught their dogs ASL (American Sign Language).

I found deaf dogs to be extremely easy to photograph in the studio because they didn’t have the typical anxiety about the studio strobes firing. Here are some of the adorable and very laid-back deaf dogs that I photographed.

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#1

Rhett - Heeler

Rhett - Heeler

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Heather Vandegrift
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG, he's so gorgeous! My parents have 3 heelers and they are just AWESOME dogs (but they DO need exercise and tasks to do, so they are challenging as apartment pets)

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Congenital deafness can potentially appear in any breed and has been reported in many varied dog breeds. It is particularly prevalent in dogs with white pigmentation of skin and fur. The disorder is usually associated with two pigmentation genes in particular; the merle gene (e.g., Shetland sheepdog, Australian shepherd, Dachshunds, Harlequin Great Danes, Old English sheepdogs, collies) and the piebald gene (E.g., Dalmatian, bull terrier, greyhound, beagle, bulldog).

Dogs with this disorder are not born deaf. Deafness usually develops in the first few weeks after birth while the ear canal is still closed. Collapse to the blood supply to the cochlea causes the sensory nerve cells of the cochlea to die, resulting in permanent loss of hearing. The exact cause is not known, but it is believed to be connected to an absence of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the capillary loop in the upper portion of the cochlear duct.

Today there are many resources out there to help people navigate the challenges of living with a deaf dog. It’s also important to realize that hearing is not a primary sense for dogs and they are also an extremely adaptable species, who want nothing more than to be happy and loved. Plus, think of all the things that make deaf dogs unique from hearing dogs: Deaf dogs are not afraid of fireworks or thunderstorms, they are not bothered by your loud music or surround sound TV, they could care less when you pull out the vacuum, they make great service dogs, you can take them anywhere because they are not distracted by noise and commotion, plus, they form a tight bond with their human and will follow you anywhere.

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#4

Patsy - Boxer

Patsy - Boxer

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Mistralok
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I go out walkin' after midnight Out in the moonlight Just like we used to do, I'm always walkin' After midnight, searchin' for you

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The idea of doing a series on deaf dogs came from my desire to show that deaf dogs are just ordinary dogs that can lead normal happy lives and deserve a chance. People often think deaf dogs will be difficult to train or they will need a special trainer, but that is not the case. By capturing beautiful portraits of these dogs and showing their unique personalities, I hoped to dispel some of the misinformation surrounding deaf dogs.

#6

Faith And Echo - Great Danes

Faith And Echo - Great Danes

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Courtney Leigh
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my beautiful baby girls. Thank you Green Paws Photography for honoring them this way and for all you do!

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When I started the deaf dog project, my goal was to create a coffee table book highlighting each dog and their special journey, along with gorgeous portraits of each. Unfortunately, the project got cut short when COVID-19 started, and I have not been able to get back to it. I posted some of the photos on Bored Panda hoping to create some of that awareness.

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I have a background in animal behavior and earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical anthropology with a specialization in primatology (primate behavior) at the University of Alberta. After working in academia and research for many years and moving to California in 2009, I became interested in the idea of turning my photography hobby into a career, so I took a chance in 2010 and combined my love of dogs with my love of photography. I moved my business to Texas in 2015, where I took my photography indoors, focusing on studio portraiture. In that time, I earned my Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman degrees through PPA and have been honored with multiple awards for my work.

#10

Jaxamillion - Boxer/Bully Mix

Jaxamillion - Boxer/Bully Mix

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Phillip Shepard
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These Dogs have the canine equivalent of Waardenburg syndrome, a group of conditions passed down through families. The syndrome involves deafness and pale skin, hair, (or often a white streak in the hair known as poliosis) and eye color (heterochromia iridis). Broad nasal bridge (hyperteliorism), or widening of the base of the nose, is a relative term. It is also found in cats that are white and have different colored eyes and are deaf. There are four different types. It is genetically dominant so 50% of offspring can get it. The most striking human I saw was a black soldier who came in with his retirement physical exam report. I looked up and he had the most amazing cobalt blue eyes. I noticed on his exam that he was deaf in one ear. He was fit for duty but was profiled to be in a non-combat MOS.

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