Non Erect Ear

[newdobeone]

Hi everyone I just purchased a 3.5 month old male from Germany and received him today. The problem is I noticed that only his Right ear stands erect and Left one flops to the side. Is this normal when their young? Will it correct itself or does it need to be professionally retaped by a vet?

If not can I still "show" a dog with one non-erect ear or was it a waist of money?

Please help me! I haven't notified the breeder yet but, hey he sent the pup so I'm sure hes aware of it. Dealt with him through email so I'm sure if he wants to ignore me he pretty much can and will if hes that type of guy. Don't want to ruin his name "YET" due to the fact I lack the proper information/knowledge on this matter.

Thanks for you input.

[Vadim]

Retaping is not uncommon and in most cases will help. There are some factors this will depend on, for example how old is the dog and how long the origical crop is but in most cases more taping does the job.

[newdobeone]

Thanks, the pup is 3.5 months old so I,m hoping it wont be an isssue. I'll contact my vet and see if retaping will correct the problem. If not.....? Can this dog compete in shows? It would be ashame if he cant because he comes from a very deep conformation background.

[symmetrydobes]

Congrats on the new puppy!! What's his/her pedigree?

I wouldn't discount an ear on a puppy at 3.5 months...in my experience the ears fall just before and/or during teething. The ears need to be taped continuously in order for them to stand correctly. Stopping the taping too early is the most common mistake people make and usually end up in a soft ear. A soft ear would make it very difficult to show a dog so be diligent and keep taping those ears for much longer.

Did you say the puppy was from Germany? Where was the puppy cropped?

Good luck with the new puppy!

Tamara

[Vadim]

"Did you say the puppy was from Germany? Where was the puppy cropped? "


Great question, maybe it has not been cropped at all and will need to be?

BTW- Some recrop of surgical fixes are possible so if all else fails you can look into

[dobermanman]

Dec 14, 2010 21:36:58 GMT -5 newdobeone said:

Thanks, the pup is 3.5 months old so I,m hoping it wont be an isssue. I'll contact my vet and see if retaping will correct the problem. If not.....? Can this dog compete in shows? It would be ashame if he cant because he comes from a very deep conformation background.

If the dog comes from "a very deep (European) conformation background" you may not do all that will competing in the AKC Conformation Ring :-(

[Von]

The ears will loose strength during teething so you will need to post with tape untill teething ends approximately 5.5 to 6.5 months. If you don't have access to a vet. that knows what their doing google; Carol Petruzzo DPCA Ear Taping or Carosel Dobermans either site is Carols information on the materials you need and how to do it. This is not a brain surgery to learn its easy and you'll need much more vigor to raise a Dobermann than learning how to post ears so dive right in and get wet. Follow her instructions completely then post some pics so we can see how your doing. This is no time to be shy or worry about opinions just get it done and you'll get the help you need to improve. If the pups cropped theres no sence in letting them flop post some pics soon. Von

[Apollo]

I think first of all the puppy isn't from germany at all. I'm from germany and docking and cropping isn't allowed there.
If its cropped you need keep posting minimum its finish with teathing what is between 5-6 month, sometimes you post ears longer then that. i know people who had to post the ears for good 12 month, so better be ready for that and keep up with the posting. here is a great link how to post ears. You let them posted for 4-5 days, then take it off, clean it with rubbing alcohol, let them dry an air out, then post them again. don't let them without post to long. When you post the ears, make sure you stretch the ears very well, so they wont get pockets.
misteldobermans.com/earwrapping.htm
Pictures would help to see the ears an to see how the vet posted them and we can push you in the right direction. Its also very important that you don't tape the ears to tight.
any other question you have go ahead and ask and please post pic's from every ankle of the ears and the posting.

[newdobeone]

Sire: Ale Alamos Del Citone

Dam: Ch Wild Cherry Di Altobello

Took him to the Vet today and got them retaped. He told me to come back in 2 weeks, didnt give me a difinitive reply on whether they can be corrected or not but I will have my fingers crossed.

Yea, I'm getting bashed other forums for the "show" comment.. I'm green what can I say.. Didn't know Euro dogs dont do well in AKC show but trust me I know now. They way I look at it theres other Directions I can go with this pup and if not I'll still have a great pup

Thanks for the ear advice though

[Apollo]

If you wanna show, you might try UKC or IBCA , Akc you probably wont have much luck with your puppy and it will be wasting money and time.

[newdobeone]

Ok, I now have to question myself here.... Too many people have told me that cropping or docking is Illegal in Germany.. When I saw the pup on the breeder web site the ears where taped and received the pup, his left ear hangs and his right ear is errect.

Please Excuse my ignorance in this matter but this is my 1st Doberman and I may be sticking my foot in my mouth. If not cropped or docked then what? Someone please educate me before I offend anyone else.

thanks

[Apollo]

Since its from Serbia, its probably docked and cropped, its not banned there and a lot of breeders moved there Kennel there because of that.
In my opinion two weeks its to long to let the post on. Since you a newbie you really don't know if the ears might get infrcted or not, but you can tell if you smell them and keep a close eye on it. I gave you a link, check it out and please take pic's of the posting, so we get a IDea what the vet did.

[Von]

The breeder might be in Germany and the litter was born in Italy so the croppings (ears) were done there along with the dockings (tails). Or the pup was bought by someone in Germany and resold to you, either way you have him so enjoy him. If the pups aren't docked and or cropped they are refered to as "natural". Tina gave you some thoughts as to different organizations to show at but more important is your beginning puppy socialization and then OB training. Once all the puppy shots are done then you need to stsrt your socializing and if you haven't got your trainer yet its time to talk to dog clubs in your area and find a quality trainer to guide you so your pup is raised with manners and his safty is in order. There are many different venues to look into inregards to your pup learning and possible competing in. Sounds like you have alot of work on your hands, enjoy and ask the questions you need answers for. Von

[newdobeone]

Apollo, Thanks you really put my mind at ease with the whole illegal cropping and docking thing. I didnt question the breeders integrity because every one said "I think its illegal in Germany" but when you confirmed and said you were from there I must say, I began to worry. I guess most people may not realize it may be different in Serbia.

Anyway I will keep you guy posted and I really dont care how long it takes as long as the problem can be corrected.

I appriciate all of your replys and knowledge in this matter.

One more question.. It may be on the link you gave me but I have not had a chance to check. Now that there retaped, is it safe for him to sleep in a crate?

[newdobeone]

Thanks, Von! I contacted a trainer 3 days before the pup arrived and he told me he doesnt start OB training till the pup is 6months old and Schutzhund at 14months. So I assumed that was the norm. In the mean time I went on leerburg.com and order 4 dvd on marker training, obedience etc.

Hope they help and thanks again to everyone