German Shepherd puppy - your opinion on ears standing up

[EweSheep]

We used to raise show Collies and yes we were guilty of using that kind of method what HappyHenz talking about. Most of the time it does not bother them but keep an eye out when they do get too red and let it airdry for a little while.

Our pet collies, we let the ears go whatever they want.....their temperment is sweet and neutroic LOl! I must admit, I dont care for Shelties, our Collie friend raised those for many years and still not crazy about them. If I must get a collie, I would go SMOOTH!

I had a German Shephard puppy and her ears did go crazy when she was teething and stood straight up when she finished. I think it all due to genetics, some will get "soft" ears that would tip or weak at standing up and other have "strong" ears which stays up no matter what. This puppy was from Trotswood breeding and wonderful breeder...havent seen her in ages since I was in college.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

I raise and breed boxers - the breed guideline for them is to have the ears stand up - but my DH will not have it done to ours because he says it makes them look mean and he likes the floppy puppy look of the ears so our kids go floppy LOL I love the look of the ears standing up - if they would go that way on thier own I would let them, but in a breed like boxers where they would need to be cut I dont have the heart to do it LOL

I would let your pups ears tell you where they want to go -

Julie

 

[CovenantCreek]

Being owned by Corgis, I've heard of many methods of aiding the ears to stand up. The best, of course, is just to wait for the ear leather to get strong enough to do the job, then the ear will stand by itself.

 

[Cara]

I'm not sure what the big deal is if the puppy is a mix and can't be shown. Leave them the way God intended, like all dogs should be allowed to.

 

[Chirpy]

I appreciate all the answers. At this point, I agree that whatever happens, happens. I've never been big on interfering with the natural way. He is just a loved family pet so his ears being up or down is just a cosmetic issue anyway.

Secretly I am hoping for his ears to go up but am thinking they aren't going to. He's absolutely too adorable no matter what.

 

[snugglepup]

Ditto what everyone else said. The ears are going to do what they are going to do. No amount of jello or taping will make a floppy ear stand. Also, if you don't know what you are doing, you can mess up a dog with a bad tape job.

Did you know that ear cropping and tail docking is illegal in many countries? Not to start an crop/dock debate. Just kind of an intersting thing. One of my friends who raises and trials dobies just got a puppy from Germany... with a long tail and floppy ears. I think she's adorable!

Oh, and the boxer breed standard allows for both cropped and natural ears.

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

I saw where they allowed both style ears on boxers - but the more I read the more I saw they perfer the ears to stand up - and that if I were to show my dogs - some judges would perfer to see the ears up - I am glad I dont show my dogs LOL
I know AKC is getting to the point where they are allowing more things to be allowed as far as alot of breeds go, the one thing I would love AKC to allow would be a pure white boxer, right now they are a no-no but I did a search on how boxers started and they started from a white female !! I think they are beautiful and I will be getting one in a few weeks a really sweet little female.



Julie

 

[Cara]

I think I read somewhere that the reason the white colour is considered a disqualifying fault is the link between that gene and deafness. By discouraging the breeding of white dogs, the incidence of deafness could be decreased.

 

[Wildsky]

I'd leave the ears to do their own thing... either way the little pup will be PERFECT!

 

[country freedom]

Quote:
You could also say "This is my dog, not your dog, And I like the way his ears are, as they are, have a good day". Say this sincerely and honestly, with a smile. That'l drive the point home.