Deaf + halfblind + cushings + heart murmur = Double Dapple

We took in a couple of double dapples from Oconee County a couple of weeks ago.  They had been turned in by their owner, and came with their breeding papers.What an adventure we are having.  (At least, I’m trying to look at it as an adventure, rather than a tragedy.)

One of the dogs, Blossom, had no apparent issues.

The other, Bree, has the full gamut of health issues associated with double dapples, which are the offspring of 2 dapple dogs.  (You can read more about what this means at this link.  ) The fact is, many puppies born “double dapple” are blind, deaf, both, or worse.  Breeders who create these puppies consider the destruction of those puppies as a cost of doing business.

The bottom line is that this pattern should NOT be recognized by the AKC, and should NOT be bred by anyone.  It is far too dangerous to the puppies.

I hope you’ll consider doing the following:
1.  contact the AKC and ask them to stop accepting double dapple registrations.
2.  not patronize any breeder who offers double dapples, even if you are not buying a double dapple yourself.  (You know, as a rescuer who deals with the downstream effects of the high population problems we have, I’d prefer you not patronize breeders at all, but if you must, at least do not finance this practice).

I don’t know if we will be able to help Bree.  Having him in the house is like having Helen Keller, so he needs a special foster home, and right now I don’t know who that is.  He can’t communicate with us, and we can’t communicate with him.  The other dogs running around scare him.  He picked one of the other dogs and constantly humps him in what I imagine is his only feeling of control.  He is frustrated and reactive, and cannot settle himself down.  He snatches at food, because he also can’t smell very well and he’s afraid he’s going to lose out when he finally does smell something yummy.  It’s like he’s having a 24/7 anxiety attack.  Then add the other health issues — cushing’s disease, heart murmur, undescended testicle (and we can’t neuter him yet because of all the other risks — ARGH!)

We have found a trainer who will work with Bree so he can learn sign language with the little sight that he has. I hope that will alleviate some of his anxiety.  He will go there in the next day or so.  His cushing’s medication is beginning to work.  He is having X-rays today to understand what is going on with his heart, and how dangerous it would be to neuter him.

We are trying to do right by this dog.  He loves people, he loves to be held in a lap.  His life is worth something.

Somewhere out there, a home awaits.   A quiet home without too much activity to startle him.  A patient person who will learn his sign language.  A soft bed for him to lie in next to his person.  Is that really too much to ask for a little deaf dog?

The world says yes, but we, at least for now, say no.  We will keep trying with him as long as we can. Thanks For Making This Possible! Kindly Bookmark and Share it.