| The Jack Russell Terrier, also known as "the | | | | BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). |
| world's smartest little dog", first originated in | | | | This test will detect the electrical activity deep in |
| England around the 19th century. Their adorable | | | | the cochlea and sensitive auditory pathways |
| name derived from the late Rev. John Russell, an | | | | located in the brain. |
| avid hunting enthusiast, who bred these intelligent | | | | This highly effective test will record the way that |
| dogs primarily for the sport of fox hunting. These | | | | the brain responds to certain clicking sounds. What |
| Jack Russell Terriers are brilliant dogs, capable of | | | | makes this a very simple test is that there is no |
| digging and burrowing into the fox holes for their | | | | need for a response from the dog, everything is |
| owners or just being extremely smart and | | | | just recorded. This test is accurate and quick; it |
| energetic animals. | | | | will test each ear and their responses to these |
| Along with being highly intelligent, small and | | | | sounds. |
| spunky, and cute and adorable, they are also | | | | BAER is now being used to test many breeds |
| known to be burdened with a few tricky health | | | | after they reach the age of five weeks. |
| issues. One of these issues is deafness. This | | | | Obviously this is a genetic disorder and cannot be |
| breed is very susceptible to congenital deafness. | | | | cured or eliminated in these breeds, but it can help |
| Deafness is one of the more serious health issues | | | | a new owner become more aware of what the |
| affecting this breed, and can be very discouraging | | | | dogs needs will be or even explain some of the |
| and difficult for a new owner that does not know | | | | behavioral problems they may be experiencing |
| how to care for a dog with this kind of defect. | | | | with their Jack Russell terriers. |
| These dogs have a keen sense of smell and very | | | | You should never breed a totally deaf breed! |
| inquisitive nature which actually helps them with | | | | Always insist on these breeds that are deaf to be |
| survival. Being the proud owner of one of these | | | | spayed or neutered in order to keep this defect |
| dogs can definitely be time-consuming to say the | | | | minimal. Not all breeds of Jack Russell's will have |
| least! They generally get into mischief due to their | | | | this condition. Learn how to work with your deaf |
| unbelievable courage and curious nature. The Jack | | | | dog by reading or taking a class. Many of these |
| Russell terrier requires quite a bit of attention | | | | dogs with this condition will respond very well to |
| from their owners and especially if the breed is | | | | hand signals and by watching their owners. |
| suffering from deafness. | | | | You should always pay close attention to where |
| The most important thing to do if buying this | | | | your deaf jack Russell is, at all times. Always be |
| breed is to have them tested for the congenital | | | | sure to walk them on a leash, in order to minimize |
| defect. The test that is done for this is called | | | | the chances of injury or loss. |