Piglet the deaf dog wants chance of life with a new family

An English bull terrier puppy called Piglet needs a special new owner, says the Dogs Trust Canterbury.

The adorable youngster has hearing problems and is being taught sign language by the charity’s staff.

They say his previous owners could not cope because they were not aware of his disability. But they hope to find another owner with the patience to offer him the chance of a new life.

His partial deafness is thought to be a congenital condition often found in white dogs.

The trust says deaf dogs are often abandoned because they present more challenges for owners. But 16-week-old Piglet is said to be lovable and friendly with bags of personality who is fast learning dog sign language.

He is friends at the re-homing centre with another bull terrier called Lily Pig, who is completely deaf and has been cared for by the trust for 10 years. Manager Harriet Blaskett said: “Unfortunately, Piglet’s arrival highlights that, a decade on from the centre welcoming Lily Pig, there is still a lack of understanding of deaf and partially deaf dogs, which sadly means they are often overlooked.

“We just hope that people can look past Piglet’s disability, as he would make a lovely pet for the right owner.

“Our behaviour team at Dogs Trust Canterbury can provide support to his new family to help them learn sign language techniques to ensure that Piglet develops into a happy, confident adult.

“Training a deaf dog isn’t any harder than training a dog with acute hearing – it just requires different methods.”

‘There is still a lack of understanding of deaf and partially deaf dogs’

Piglet the bull terrier puppy is getting training in sign language