Deafness in whites

[steph0808]

I wasn't exactly sure where to post this topic, so feel free to move it wherever it should be.

On another forum, I got pi$$ed that someone said that whites have more health problems than colored boxers, for example deafness (and I previously clearly stated that sunburn and deafness are the only two). 

Anyways, this got me thinking.  I know deafness occurs in somewhere between 18-20% of white boxers. 

I have never seen, in all my searching for a white boxer and also while searching for Riley, a responsible breeder with a deaf whitey.  I am obviously not saying that it never occurs, just that going through all the websites and emailing a lot of breeders, etc. that I haven't seen it.

Could it be possible that the inflated number of deaf whiteys are coming from the BYB population?  The deaf whiteys I see are on rescue sites and are poor examples of the breed standard.

Is the deaf gene being passed down through BYBs?  Or does deafness occur in the same percentage of responsibly-bred white pups?

Just a thought that I had and would like to hear some breeder opinions on it!    

[Shaeward]

Is the deaf gene being passed down through BYBs?  Or does deafness occur in the same percentage of responsibly-bred white pups?

There isn't a deaf gene. Deafness is a result of lack of pigment in the inner ear. The lack of pigment causes the hair cells to die which results in deafness. (I have an article that explains it in a bit more detail on my site here)

Regardless of where the puppy comes from, lack of pigment in the inner ear = deafness.

[steph0808]

Is the deaf gene being passed down through BYBs?  Or does deafness occur in the same percentage of responsibly-bred white pups?

There isn't a deaf gene. Deafness is a result of lack of pigment in the inner ear. The lack of pigment causes the hair cells to die which results in deafness. (I have an article that explains it in a bit more detail on my site here)

Regardless of where the puppy comes from, lack of pigment in the inner ear = deafness.

Well I knew that about the lack of pigment causing deafness - but does it occur the same amount in responsibly-bred boxers as it does in ones bred by BYBs? 

[Rubidawg]

I've wondered the same thing, Steph, as it's something I've noticed too. Maybe it's just coincidence....but it does appear that BYBs and Rescues are the ones you see the most that are deaf. The whiteys I've seen from well bred litters, I have not found any to be deaf (maybe one).....it does seem to be something you see more in byb's. Coincidence, maybe? But a good question.