Ears

[Paige]

I don't understand... you can take a floppy eared pup and make their ears stand if you brace them at a young age? I thought that only worked when some sort of cosmetic surgery was performed. You learn something new every day.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by Paige

I don't understand... you can take a floppy eared pup and make their ears stand if you brace them at a young age? I thought that only worked when some sort of cosmetic surgery was performed. You learn something new every day.

Yes, at least with breeds which have ears which will naturally stand. You can also make them tip (like show collie or shelties), make them lie flat (like show Aussies) or give them rose ears (like whippets).

[elegy]

I think I will give them more time and see what they do. Breeder said his mama's took til 12 weeks to go up. So I'll give them another month and see what happens and start making decisions then. I'm just not wild about down ears on Border Collies.

[BostonBanker]

I love the half-up ears on border collies, that are the same shape as Gusto's. My friend has one that has lab ears and I wouldn't be able to stand that!

[Paige]

Bandit totally has lab ears. Boo

[SizzleDog]

Originally Posted by Aleron

This is a valid consideration too. No puppy wants or enjoys having their ears braced for months, removing the glue/moleskin/tape when they need replaced can be painful and some dogs have allergic reactions to adhesive, which can be mild to severe.

None of my dobe puppies have ever minded, or have had any problems. You'd be surprised what puppies deal with, without complaints.

Originally Posted by Paige

I don't understand... you can take a floppy eared pup and make their ears stand if you brace them at a young age? I thought that only worked when some sort of cosmetic surgery was performed. You learn something new every day.

I glued/molefoamed/stripped Talla's ears to stand. It took longer than I'd hoped, but in the end I'm SO glad I did it. She would have had an entirely different look, and the ear stuff never bothered her.

Talla when she arrived from Mexico:


Initial breatheright stripping:


Molefoamed:


One ear done, one still with a breatheright strip:


Almost done! Light edge taping, with glue:


Talla now:

[AdrianneIsabel]

^^^ You're so bias against drop eared puppies. :P

[SizzleDog]

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

^^^ You're so bias against drop eared puppies. :P

It's a miracle I let her keep her dewclaws!

[swabby]

Originally Posted by elegy

I think I will give them more time and see what they do. Breeder said his mama's took til 12 weeks to go up. So I'll give them another month and see what happens and start making decisions then. I'm just not wild about down ears on Border Collies.

I used to feel that way. But Stormy has SO many more expressions on her face as she tries to figure out how to handle her ears.

FWIW, probably the very last thing on a BC puppy's mind.

[Michiyo-Fir]

I would just tape them.

When I get my BC, if they don't go up on their own, I'm planning to just tape them too. Doesn't hurt anyone, and gives me ears I like.