Deafness Risk Estimation Analysis of Native Genetic Resource Kangal Shepherd Dog Breed: Sivas Province Example

Kangal shepherd dogs have excellent sensory organs and perform missions perfectly. For this reason, in many countries of the world, they are preferred for herd guard and as shepherd dog. One of these sensory organs is hearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the deafness risk estimation analysis of Kangal shepherd dogs breeding in Sivas province of Turkey. The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test was applied to 160 Kangal shepherd dogs in Sivas province city center and districts. During the application, the dogs were kept in the present natural environment. The dogs were divided into groups according to their general, gender and age and their responses to frequencies ranging from 20, 40, 60 and 80 decibels (dB) for the right and left ears were investigated. One-Way ANOVA and Duncan multiple comparison test were used in the age group comparison and independent samples t-test was used in the comparison of the other groups. All statistical analysis were performed in the SPSS v.15 software. As a result, the presence of unilateral deafness was detected in 2 dogs in totally. It was also shown that the sense of hearing did not improve in puppies up to 11 days old. Group comparisons were provided statistical significance for right ear in 40 and 60 dB for age groups and right ear in 80 dB for gender groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in comparison of the other frequencies of the groups (P>0.05). This is the first study that deafness estimation was conducted in Kangal shepherd dogs.