Yes, it was deliberate. I prefer Deaf Dogs, I find I get more focus from my deafies, they're easier to train in many ways, there are some consessions to having deafies I make (like not letting Mouse and Boo off leash, but Scout has 100% recall) but all in all, I've never once wished any of my deafies could hear, but I am constantly wishing Oliver and Zoe were deaf! (both have fear issues that would be eased by not being able to hear!) My wish list of dog breeds is a deaf English Cocker Spaniel, a deaf wire fox terrier, a Deaf great dane, and a deaf pit bull... the only hearing dog I'd want is an Irish Terrier (only because they dont have deafness in their breed, but I'd sure like a deaf one of those, if it were possible!)
Honestly, if you ever get a chance to try one out, DO they're amazing dogs, and fantastic teachers... my deafies have made me a MUCH better teacher, and I'm so much more in tune with what I'm telling them with my body.
Deafness is NOT a disability in dogs.
Here's a couple of video's
This one is the first demo I ever did with Scout. I'd adopted her at the end of June, this vid. was taken at the beginning of September, the same year. Scout was 4 when I adopted her, and knew 2 signs, sit, and shake... this is her 10 weeks after adoption...
This vid is of Oliver and Mouse. I'd only had Mouse for 3 weeks at this point. Oliver only 4 months. there are only a couple of Ollie's tricks on this vid, but you can see what I was able to do with a really "stubborn" deaf puppy, in 3 weeks.
And here's one with Mouse, when she was 9 months old.
I have several others on my You Tube Channel.... 3 other deaf dog demos. And I'm in the process of doing up another video, I managed to get a little free-shaping with Mouse (FINALLY!!!) It didn't work very well, but I'm hoping this may be a starting point! But holy crap, she's fast, and hard to click at the right moment!