Puppy Hearing Awareness: Understanding Congenital Deafness and BAER Testing

Congenital deafness refers to hearing loss present at birth or developing shortly after. It’s not partial—affected ears are completely deaf. This condition is more common in certain breeds, especially those with white coats, merle patterns, or blue eyes. Over 90 breeds have been identified as at risk, including Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Parson Russell Terriers, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, and English Setters.

For example, nearly one in five Dalmatians may be deaf in one or both ears. While some dogs adapt remarkably well, undiagnosed deafness can affect their quality of life, training, and safety. That’s why early detection is so important.

The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test is a safe, non-invasive method used to assess hearing in puppies. It can be performed from around six weeks of age and is suitable for older dogs too.

During the test, small electrodes are placed under the skin on the head, and a series of clicks are delivered through headphones. The brain’s response to these sounds is recorded and displayed as waveforms on a computer screen. These waveforms clearly show whether each ear is functioning normally.

There are three possible outcomes:

Unilaterally deaf puppies often appear completely normal and adapt well, though they may occasionally struggle to locate the direction of sounds. Bilaterally deaf puppies require more support and training, but with patience and love, they can lead full, happy lives.

Knowing your puppy’s hearing status is essential—not just for their wellbeing, but also for responsible breeding. Even if a dog appears to hear well, only a BAER test can confirm whether both ears are functioning. Deafness can be inherited, and breeding from affected dogs increases the risk of deaf puppies.

Unfortunately, the mode of inheritance is still unknown, so even puppies from parents with normal hearing should be tested. This is especially true for breeds like Dalmatians, where deafness remains relatively common despite decades of awareness.

While more facilities now offer BAER testing, not all provide the same level of accuracy. To ensure your puppy’s results are reliable, ask the breeder or testing centre:

Only a registered vet can legally diagnose deafness. Even if a technician performs the test, a vet must review and sign the results.

Discovering that your puppy may be deaf can be emotional. We understand how important it is to feel confident and supported during this time. That’s why we encourage open conversations and provide clear, compassionate guidance. If your puppy is diagnosed with hearing loss, we’ll help you understand what it means and how to adapt training and care to suit their needs.

There are excellent resources and trainers who specialise in working with deaf dogs. With the right support, deaf puppies can thrive and become loving, loyal companions.