The Problems With Ear Cropping
The biggest issue with ear cropping is that it is unnecessary mutilation and a non-essential procedure. Traditional cropping performed by owners is painful, stressful, potentially dangerous for both the dog and owner, and could lead to hearing loss or infection. However, even if cropped surgically by a vet, the practice carries risks. All surgeries are dangerous to some degree and we try to put animals under general anaesthesia only when necessary. An elective cosmetic procedure is not a necessary surgery.
How is it any different from neutering?
You may find that some proponents of ear cropping argue that surgical neutering, also an elective procedure, is widespread and recommended by vets, therefore the elective surgery of cropping a dogs ears should be acceptable as well. This is a flawed argument. Spaying or castrating a dog carries a number of benefits, including reducing unwanted pregnancies and thus unwanted puppies, reducing the incidence of some kinds of cancer, and increasing longevity. It does carry risks, like all surgery, but the benefits outweigh the costs in almost all cases. Ear cropping, on the other hand, brings with it very few advantages and is primarily done for cosmetic reasons not in the dogs best interest, so is not recommended.
What about the reasons you listed above?
The social problem
Why Do Some Dog Breeds Have Floppy Ears
Some dog breeds such as the Beagle, English Cocker Spaniel, and Poodle, have floppy ears. In the late 1800s, the English geologist and biologist Charles Darwin concluded that:
The incapacity to erect the ears is certainly in some manner the result of domestication.
Heres a really interesting animated video that explains why some dog breeds have floppy ears and how scientists believe centuries of domestication is the cause. Its only 3-minutes long and explains it in a helpful and fun way:
As dog breeding trends move further away from abiding by strict breed standards, floppy-eared dogs are being bred more due to their extreme desirability.
Some people admire their large, floppy ears because they are cute but I think the opposite. There is nothing quite like a German Shepherds pointy ears.
Having floppy ears also comes with some health issues which we will discuss in the next chapter.
Benefits Of Ear Cropping
Although the prevention of ear infections is often cited as a benefit of ear cropping, there is no research data that supports that claim. On the contrary, the AMVA states that hanging ears on a dog does not increase the likelihood of ear infections. Also, there are no breeds that have shown a propensity for ear infections over other breeds. The likely explanation for what may seem like a clustered similarity in breed has more to do with the physiological aspects of an individual dogs ear shape than the breed itself.
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Floppy Eared German Shepherd 3 Easy Fixes
A floppy eared German Shepherd dog is an adorable sight to see. With one ear upright and the other down cuteness abounds!
But you might worry about when will your German Shepherds floppy ears stand up?
And
How can you fix those floppy ears?
Dont worry
Its natural and Ill tell you exactly how to help fix a German Shepherd with floppy ears.
Do I Need To Tape My German Shepherd Puppy’s Ears To Keep Them From Falling
After teething, the ears of most German Shepherd pups spontaneously rise. For the first six months, a puppy’s ears may stand straight one day, droop the next, and afterwards stand erect againbest not really anything to do anything at all to your puppy’s ears during this time. Taping the ears in an attempt to make them stand upright is an option for some people. In some cases, taping the ears of a GSD puppy can aid in their development, although this is not always the case. Shepherds with genetically weak or’soft’ ears may never be able to hold their heads up straight. With one ear up and the other down or partially erect ears, a dog with lovable appearance will win you over. If you don’t want to display your dog, it’s preferable to accept the imperfection of its ears.
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Prevent And Treat Parasites
Parasites can hinder your dogs overall health, and this can lead to the weakening of both muscle tone and cartilage strength in your dogs ears. It is best to keep an eye on your dog and to regularly check for parasites.
Keep on top of your German Shepherds flea treatment as a means of prevention. If your dog has a parasite or you suspect he does, take him to the vet for a check-up.
Over 8000 Pets Ears Restored With Revolutionary Permastay
It may be a Doberman Pincher, Boxer, Great Dane, German Shepherd, Chihuahua or any canine whose ears should stand up straight but dont for some reason.
Enter Gregg Miller, president of CTI Corporation and creator of CTIs flagship product Neuticles for Pets, which garnered a 2005 Ig Nobel Prize for Medicine.
In 2010 Miller introduced an ear implant which restores the pets ear to a natural look. Considered revolutionary and five years in development, the PermaStay® ear implant has now successfully restored over 8,000 pets Worldwide.
Miller created the implant due to consumer demand. Almost every day I spoke to a pet owner who said, You need to create a product that corrects broken or bent ears on pets, said Miller.
Miller stated that, after investigation, he discovered that a number of products created in decades past were band-aid fix products that not only failed to work but in most cases were inhumane.
Conversely, said Miller, PermaStay® Ear Implants not only work, but are humane and will last for the life of the pet.
Crafted of surgical mesh, the implant consists of a 3 x 4foundation. The mesh was specially created to be compatible with the sensitive tissue within the pets ear and to eliminate risk of migration of the implant within the ear once placed.
Three sizes of implants are now available for any canine or feline, large or small.
Miller stressed that PermaStay® not only restores the pets ears, but it is instrumental in maintaining the pets health.
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Why Do Puppies Ears Stand Up
Genetics are mostly responsible for whether a dog’s ear will stand up. Dogs that come from the more wolf-like breeds have inherited the wolf’s erect, alert ears.
Similarly, smaller dogs like Corgis or Chihuahuas have been bred to have straight ears, with droopy-eared individuals usually taken out of the breeding program.
What Kind Of Ears Will My German Shepherd Have
Anyone who has seen an adult German Shepherd dog can tell you that this breed is easily recognizable for its erect ears and noble expression. However, its a less known fact that all German Shepherd puppies are born with floppy ears.
According to the breeds standard, German Shepherds should have erect ears of medium size, which are carried upright and aligned. The ears should also be pointed and with the auricle facing forward .
Although the standard calls for erect ears, its not uncommon for adult German Shepherds to have dropped or floppy ears. Keep in mind that dogs with cropped or hanging ears will be disqualified and wont be able to compete in dog shows .
If your GSD puppy has been obtained from a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill, you can expect your pups ears to stand up and remain erect after he finishes teething.
On the other hand, bad breeding practices, trauma, or health problems can account for floppy ears in German Shepherds.
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Why Rotties Ears Arent Cropped
Now, we know that Rottweillers dont get their ears cropped, but their tails get docked. But why is that? Why not crop a Rottweilers ears?
Its simple, its not the standard for this breed. A Dobermans ears get cropped because thats the standard of how these dogs look like. But, a Rottweilers ears are not a key part of their look.
Another reason is that people didnt use Rottweilers to fight other dogs. So, they didnt have to look scarier and there was no real need to crop their ears. Lets take Pitbulls as an example. Pitbulls have always been used for fighting other dogs. So, their owners decided to crop their ears so they dont get hurt in a fight. Another dog could grab their ears and pull them out.
But, basically, there is no reason why you cant crop a Rottweilers ears. If you want to do it, you can. But its not common to see a Rottweiler cropped ears.
Gsd Mix Puppy Floppy Ears
- Tags
anne.marie said:I figured this would work since people post Doberman and Boxer ears all of the time, and their ears dont naturally stand up. I know they tape them much more extensively than with just nasal strips, but I thought the nasal strips would work with my pup since they make her ears stand pretty solidly. I assumed that a certain amount of time in an upright position would strengthen the cartilage. Maybe Im mistaken.
anne.marie said:My almost 6 month GSD mixs ears have been taped using Breathe Right nasal strips for almost a month and a half. Her ears look great when using two strips per ear, but weve been using eyelash glue as adhesive, and the strips dont stay on for more that two or three days. The longest they are ever not taped is a few hours. Once the strips are off, they look almost exactly like they did before we started this process, creasing at the bottom of the ear and flopping sideways. Could the fact that they dont stay on long be slowing the process? Ive read about Torbot glue and moleskin. Im wondering if thats the best option at this point. Im pretty sure she just finished teething, so is it too late at this point?View attachment 557546
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Why Is Ear Cropping Bad
The American Veterinary Medical Association states that ear-cropping and tail-docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection.
How Long Does Ear Taping Last
How Is Ear Cropping Done? In order for the ears to heal in the desired upright precision after surgery, they must be posted to a hard surface and taped until completely healed. Bandages need to be changed weekly, typically. The entire process can last from 4-8 weeks.
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How To Care For Your German Shepherds Ears
To care for your German Shepherds ears, check them regularly for wax build-up and mites and clean them when they get dirty. You should make sure that their ears dry thoroughly whenever they get wet to prevent infections, and if they dont air-dry before bedtime, gently dry them using a clean towel.
Make sure to brush your GSD regularly, also around the head and ears these dogs shed heavily!
To clean your dogs ears, buy some topical ear-cleaning solution. You can get these over-the-counter at your vet, online, or in a pet store. A popular home remedy for ear cleaning is a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar, which is a mild disinfectant and a strong deodorizer. You can also use a few drops of olive oil for wax build-up, but not too much.
To administer, get a towel and ask your dog to lie down in a comfortable place in the home. Hold your dogs ears open and aim the dropper into the ear canal. Without touching their ears with the dropper, squeeze a few drops into them until theyre almost full of the solution. Then, massage the mase of their ears for around 30 seconds to help it loosen any wax or dirt. Finally, allow your dog to shake their head and use the towel to catch what comes out.
If theres any remaining debris, use a clean cotton ball to gently wipe it away. Dont go in further than the depth of a knuckle and dont use a cotton swab, as you could hurt your dog.
Deciding To Tape Your Puppy’s Ears
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Remove And Inspect Their Ears Weekly
Pick a day of the week to remove and inspect your dogs ears. Take off the wrapping and foam rollers and see if your dogs ears stand on their own naturally.
Also, look for any soreness from improper taping and if you see any issues dont keep applying the tape.
If your GSDs ears flop over then rewrap them the same way to offer more support for a bit longer. If they stand on their own then youre good to go and you can discontinue the ear taping.
Dont forget to check and change the tape weekly so you can see the health of your pups ears.
Can Purebred German Shepherds Have Floppy Ears
German shepherds are born with floppy ears. Puppies have not yet developed their cartilage, and so, their ears are still not matured enough to hold up their ears weight. The German shepherd floppy ears are also referred to as a result trait of the domestication of dogs since their wild counterparts have straight ears.
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Why Does My German Shepherd Put His Ears Back When I Pet Him
Flopped back ears are a good sign. This means that your German Shepherd is relaxed, calm, and in a friendly mood. If you notice that they flop back, youve created an environment that makes him feel comfortable. Try to maintain the atmosphere and avoid sudden loud noises that might startle your dog.
Taping Your Dogs Ears
Even if you’ve done everything in your power, you may still need to tape your pup’s ears. Many owners have taped their German Shepherd puppies ears with great success.
There are two ways you can do this and both methods are simple and easy.
Update
A reader here at GSC, Roger, has shared his amazing ear-taping success story
Roger used the materials found in the first method.
Here’s what he had to say
The ear form should stay in place a week or so.
If the ear does not stand up after the form falls out, go for another round. But clean the ear with the adhesive remover first and wait a day or so if the ear is red/raw.
The edges of the ear form will curl and start to come loose after a day or two that is normal.
Resist trying to put more adhesive in your dog’s ear while the form is in place! You stand a good chance of it dropping in the ear canal. Just wait and try again when the form falls out.
Good luck, have patience and love your dog no matter the outcome!
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When To Stop Taping Their Ears
At 9 months old your German Shepherds ear should stand on their own, without the ear taping or other measures.
If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance.
This could mean your dogs ear might permanently stay flopping and fold over and isnt anything to worry about.
What Are German Shepherds Ears Like At Birth
GSD puppies are born with floppy ears set against the side of the head. As puppies mature, their ears usually start to stand up naturally.
However, for various reasons, some dogs have ears that stay floppy.
According to Train Your GSD, many Shepherd owners expect the ears to stand up earlier than is usual.
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What Is Ear Cropping
Ear cropping is the act of removing part of a dogs ears, and is often followed by taping the remaining ear upright so that it heals vertically, giving the ears an upright triangular appearance, rather than the hanging-down floppy ears of most dogs. Breeds where cropping is prevalent are Dobermanns, American bullies, pitbulls, Staffordshire bull terriers and other similar breeds. Do note that some breeds have naturally upright ears like huskies, German shepherds, westies and corgis.